Cliff notes: This game is un-bettable.
Yea, one side will cover and people who have that side will tell you what a great/easy call it was, but the facts are this is likely a game you should avoid. Given it's the only game on at the time and a playoff game, let's face it, we aren't avoiding it. So Here's a perspective from a Steeler fan. I'm not a "bleed black and gold" Steeler fan but I do follow them I more of a Pens fan, if you can't tell/
13 Points is a lot in a playoff game, like, a LOT. Six of the Steelers wins this year were by double digits, none in the last month of the season. The Dolphins were beaten by 10+ four times with one of those games in the last month of the season (N.E.).
The Steelers were 6-2 at home while the Dolphins were 4-4 on the road beating SD, LA, NYJ and Buff none of which were playoff teams. The Steelers beat two playoff teams at Heinz Field along with Baltimore who was just on the cusp of getting in.
This will be the first playoff game Roethlisberger, Bell and Brown will play together. Miami is basically patching a roster together.
Yes, it will be cold but I don't put as much stock in that as others. These are professionals all playing in the same conditions.
The Steelers offense certainly has enough fire power to put up enough points to cover the double digit spread (that keeps going up) and I don't know if Miami has an answer on defense. The answer from Miami has to come in the form of controlling the clock and running the ball and running the ball. THey have just the guy that can do that in Jay Ajayi.
The answer for Miami can also come in the form of Ben Roethlisberger. Hear me out. I like Ben and I'm glad he's our QB, but dude can throw pics in EITHER red zone with alarming frequency. 13 Pics in 14 games. Ben gets lazy and throws off his back foot too often which creates opportunity for the other team. One pic-6 or one pic in the Miami red zone could easily change the outcome from a 17 point win to a 10 point win.
No matter what, I think Pittsburgh has more than enough to win this game and if need be Ben will find a way to win in the 4th quarter so I really can't support those taking the ML of Miami. I know it's enticing and there are a lot of Steeler haters out there, but if you bet with your head you will have a hard time convincing me the Yinzers will be going to work Monday wondering how we lost to the Dolphins.
On the other hand I just can't lay 13 points and wouldn't even consider it. Miami can certainly do enough right and the Steelers can do enough wrong to keep this close.
I think the way to bet this game (and we're gonna bet it) is:
Miami +13
Under 46
My thought process is we likely won't lose both bets and could win both. With Miami having to run the ball to stay in this game it should keep Ben and company off the field as much as possible to limit the scoring. I see a 27-14 type game where a pic or defensive/special teams score could wreck either of our plays here.
Probably best to stay away, but gamblers gonna gamble.
Yea, one side will cover and people who have that side will tell you what a great/easy call it was, but the facts are this is likely a game you should avoid. Given it's the only game on at the time and a playoff game, let's face it, we aren't avoiding it. So Here's a perspective from a Steeler fan. I'm not a "bleed black and gold" Steeler fan but I do follow them I more of a Pens fan, if you can't tell/
13 Points is a lot in a playoff game, like, a LOT. Six of the Steelers wins this year were by double digits, none in the last month of the season. The Dolphins were beaten by 10+ four times with one of those games in the last month of the season (N.E.).
The Steelers were 6-2 at home while the Dolphins were 4-4 on the road beating SD, LA, NYJ and Buff none of which were playoff teams. The Steelers beat two playoff teams at Heinz Field along with Baltimore who was just on the cusp of getting in.
This will be the first playoff game Roethlisberger, Bell and Brown will play together. Miami is basically patching a roster together.
Yes, it will be cold but I don't put as much stock in that as others. These are professionals all playing in the same conditions.
The Steelers offense certainly has enough fire power to put up enough points to cover the double digit spread (that keeps going up) and I don't know if Miami has an answer on defense. The answer from Miami has to come in the form of controlling the clock and running the ball and running the ball. THey have just the guy that can do that in Jay Ajayi.
The answer for Miami can also come in the form of Ben Roethlisberger. Hear me out. I like Ben and I'm glad he's our QB, but dude can throw pics in EITHER red zone with alarming frequency. 13 Pics in 14 games. Ben gets lazy and throws off his back foot too often which creates opportunity for the other team. One pic-6 or one pic in the Miami red zone could easily change the outcome from a 17 point win to a 10 point win.
No matter what, I think Pittsburgh has more than enough to win this game and if need be Ben will find a way to win in the 4th quarter so I really can't support those taking the ML of Miami. I know it's enticing and there are a lot of Steeler haters out there, but if you bet with your head you will have a hard time convincing me the Yinzers will be going to work Monday wondering how we lost to the Dolphins.
On the other hand I just can't lay 13 points and wouldn't even consider it. Miami can certainly do enough right and the Steelers can do enough wrong to keep this close.
I think the way to bet this game (and we're gonna bet it) is:
Miami +13
Under 46
My thought process is we likely won't lose both bets and could win both. With Miami having to run the ball to stay in this game it should keep Ben and company off the field as much as possible to limit the scoring. I see a 27-14 type game where a pic or defensive/special teams score could wreck either of our plays here.
Probably best to stay away, but gamblers gonna gamble.
