The Green Bay Packers open the preseason on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, and the betting market has already told a story. Pittsburgh opened as a short home favorite, but the money has flipped the number to Green Bay on the road. That reverse move on the spread is the headline. Matt LaFleur has committed to playing his starters, while Mike McCarthy, despite ruling out Aaron Rodgers, has stayed noncommittal about his top group. Below, we break down where the value sits and land on a side and a total.
Last Updated: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh PA |
| When | Thursday, August 13 – 7:00 PM ET |
| TV | NFL Network |
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview
This is a preseason opener, so the depth chart matters more than any record. Green Bay has made the bigger commitment. Coach Matt LaFleur plans to play his starters, and quarterback Jordan Love is set to start, even if the snap count stays small. LaFleur has pointed to the value of live reps for a group that will run mostly base concepts. The starting offensive line will likely be largely intact.
Pittsburgh’s plan is less settled. Coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that QB Aaron Rodgers will sit out. He outlined a three-group rotation instead. The first QB, Mason Rudolph, will play a series or two, the second QB (likely Drew Allar) finishes the first half, and the third QB (likely Will Howard) takes the second half. Several defenders, including cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, opened camp on the PUP list.
The line movement reflects that gap. Pittsburgh opened as a 1.5-point home favorite. The number has since flipped to Green Bay -2.5, and the total has climbed from 37.5 to 40.5. The moneyline told the same story. Green Bay moved from a modest underdog to a clear favorite. For more preseason context, see our recent Hall of Fame Game prediction.
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | -2.5 (-120) | -160 | O/U 40.5 (-110) |
| Steelers | +2.5 (+100) | +135 | O/U 40.5 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of August 13, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NFL Odds – Futures – Props
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Packers | 47% | 53% | Steelers |
See the latest NFL Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Packers vs. Steelers Prediction — Does the Reverse Line Move Toward Green Bay Hold Up?
The case for the road side starts with participation. Green Bay has committed to playing its first-team offense with Love under center. Pittsburgh has not confirmed the same for its top group, and Aaron Rodgers is most likely going to sit out. If the Packers open with a script of live reps against Pittsburgh backups, an early edge is realistic on a number that sits at less than a field goal.
The reverse line move supports that read. When a home team opens favored and the market pushes the other way, it often signals sharper money. Here the flip from Pittsburgh -1.5 to Green Bay -2.5 is a three-point swing on the side. The moneyline confirmed the shift.
The counter-argument may have some merit, though. Preseason games rarely follow a starter script for long. Green Bay’s first unit may exit after a series or two, which puts the outcome in the hands of backups and undrafted rookies. Public support is nearly even, at 47 percent on Green Bay and 53 percent on Pittsburgh. There is no strong crowd to fade here. A 2.5-point margin can also vanish on one late backup drive.
The Pick: Packers -2.5 (-120)
Packers vs. Steelers Prediction — Will Two Series of Starters Move the Total?
The total opened at 37.5 and has climbed to 40.5, which is money betting the over. The logic is straightforward. Both teams plan to play starters early, and first units usually move the ball more efficiently than the deep reserves who dominate the second half.
Still, preseason scoring tends to stall. Play-calling stays basic, timing can be off, and drives often end in punts or field-goal tries rather than touchdowns. Once the rotations reach third-string players, offense often disappears. A number in the low 40s is on the higher side for a preseason opener. The second half usually drags the scoring down.
The Pick: Under 40.5 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
The throughline here is the reverse line move. Green Bay committed to playing starters, Pittsburgh stayed noncommittal on its top group, and the market repriced the game toward the Packers on both the side and the moneyline. That is the cleanest read available before kickoff. You can confirm the game details on the Steelers broadcast page.
Temper the confidence with preseason reality. Starter snaps will be brief, backups will decide most of the night, and variance runs high when neither coach is chasing a result. Treat both plays as lean-sized, not headline stakes.
To recap, the card is Green Bay -2.5 on the side and the under 40.5 on the total. Both lean on the same core idea. A brief starter edge for the Packers early, followed by a backup-heavy game that keeps the scoring in check.
NFL Packers vs. Steelers FAQ: Thursday August 13, 2026
What time does the Packers vs. Steelers game start?
The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The preseason opener is played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Pregame coverage begins earlier in the evening on the broadcast networks.
What channel is the Packers vs. Steelers game on?
The game airs nationally on NFL Network. In local markets it is also carried on KDKA-TV (CBS) in Pittsburgh and on TODAY’S TMJ4 (WTMJ) throughout Wisconsin. NFL Network is the national home for this preseason opener.
Where are the Packers and Steelers playing?
The game is at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Steelers’ home venue. Green Bay is the road team for this preseason opener. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday night.
Who is starting at quarterback for the Packers and Steelers?
Jordan Love is set to start for Green Bay, though on a limited snap count. Pittsburgh has not committed to a starter. Coach Mike McCarthy stayed noncommittal on Aaron Rodgers, but Mason Rudolph is expected to start and play one or 2 series. He will be relieved by Drew Allar, who will play the rest of the first half, and Will Howard is on track to play the entire second half.