New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 12/23/18 Week 16 Predictions

Saints vs. Steelers Spread Prediction

The New Orleans Saints have struggled offensively the past three weeks but they’ve also been on the road. Now back in the Superdome on Sunday, will they cover as a touchdown-sized favorite over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers at 4:25 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

127 Pittsburgh Steelers at 128 New Orleans Saints

4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 23

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Saints are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Steelers. The total, meanwhile, sits at 53 points. As of this writing, 53% of the public betting tickets are on the Saints to cover the point spread.

Pittsburgh Steelers

JuJu Smith-Schuster (questionable, groin) expects to play in Week 16 against the Saints. Smith-Schuster had a mid-week downgrade and didn't practice Friday, but he's going to try to play at less than 100 percent. It's great news for the Steelers in a must-win game. We should get confirmation on JuJu's status early Sunday, but owners can count on having him this week.

New Orleans Saints

Saints LT Terron Armstead (shoulder) will play in Week 16 against the Steelers. Armstead returns after missing the last five weeks. It's a huge upgrade to the Saints' offensive line, sending Jermon Bushrod back to a swing role. Armstead was PFF's top-ranked tackle before going down.

NFL Betting Trends

Pittsburgh

The Steelers are 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five games overall and are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games in December.

New Orleans

The Saints 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games and 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall.

Prediction

The Saints are back home and they’re getting heathy again. Drew Brees has struggled the past three weeks but he also hasn’t been as protected as he was the first three months of the season. With Armstead back at left tackle, I expect Brees to be better protected and have more time to survey the field to pick apart a Pittsburgh secondary that can be had. The Steelers are coming off an emotional home victory as an underdog versus the Patriots but Ben Roethlisberger is a much different quarterback on the road than he is at home. He won’t be able to keep pace with Brees and Co. today. It’s time for the Saints to re-establish their dominance.

NFL Week 16 Prediction: New Orleans Saints -6.5