Steelers vs. Patriots Picks: Is total for AFC Title Game too High? 1/22/17

Steelers vs. Patriots Pick

Is the over/under set too high in Sunday's AFC Championship Game between the Steelers and Patriots at 6:40PM ET?

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Patriots are 6-point home favorites versus the Steelers while the over/under is currently sitting at 50.5 points. While the point spread has stayed at 6 throughout the last couple of days, the over/under hit the board at 51 before dropping to 50.5.

Bet 2017 AFC Championship Game

Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown apologized for posting a Facebook Live video following the Steelers' win over the Chiefs last Sunday night. The video captured head coach Mike Tomlin calling the Patriots "a**holes" in the background and Brown issued a statement stating, "I have the utmost respect for our coach so I sorely regret that," Brown said during a news conference. "I stand by my statement last night. I just got carried away in the moment. I live with that moment from last year, not being able to play in the divisional game, not being able to make the trip with the team, so I was extremely excited in that moment."

Martellus Bennett (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice after going down late in the Patriots' Divisional round win over the Texans. Danny Amendola was also limited in Wednesday's practice, but receiver Malcolm Mitchell practiced in full and so did Chris Hogan.

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OUR PREDICTION: This total feels too high, especially with the Steelers likely to lean on Le'Veon Bell to help control clock and keep Tom Brady on the sidelines for long stretches. The under is 4-0-1 in the Steelers' last five playoff games, is 20-7 in their last 27 road games, and has cashed in 16 of their last 22 games overall. This is going to be more of a defensive battle than people think.

 

2017 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: STEELERS/PATRIOTS UNDER 50.5