Steelers vs. Bucs Free Pick
Two teams that people didn’t expect to be 2-0 at this point in the season will battle in Tampa this weekend when the Buccaneers host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Here’s our free pick for this game.
Before handing out our free pick for this matchup, let’s take a look at the odds. Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made the Bucs 3-point home underdogs against the Steelers in Week 3, while the over/under is currently sitting at 33.
Oddsmakers say they don’t lay traps for bettors, but every week there’s a game that looks too good to be true. The Bucs are 2-0 and are facing a backup quarterback in Charlie Batch, but the public is expectedly all over the Steelers in this matchup because of the way their defense has played. They completely shut down the Falcons in Week 1 and then forced seven turnovers last week in a win over the Titans. Why not take the Steelers and lay a measly three points against a Bucs team that is due for a letdown?
Because of home field advantage and the fact that the Steelers are starting Batch – that’s why not.
Look, Tampa is no more of a playoff contender than Kansas City is. They’re a fraudulent 2-0 right now after picking up wins over the Browns and Panthers the first two weeks. But that doesn’t mean that they’re not capable of surprising one more time and knocking off a Steelers team that is starting a backup quarterback on the road and who is having one hell of a time getting in the end zone.
The Free Pick:
Two reasons I’m taking the Bucs as my free pick in this game: the Steelers are coming off a gift-wrapped win over the Titans (who again, turned the ball over seven times but outgained Pittsburgh in almost every offensive category) and more importantly, they have a look-ahead game next Sunday against the Ravens. This is the second week in a row they have to travel and the Bucs are playing with a ton of confidence. It may make your stomach hurt to take Tampa in this game, but look at what the Bengals, Jets and 49ers did in similar situations last week.
My free pick for this game is the Bucs +3.
2010 NFL Week 3 Free Pick: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +3