NFL Free Pick: PIT/TEN
The No. 1 seed in the AFC is on the line this week in the Music City as the Tennessee Titans look to bounce back from their recent loss when they host the surging Pittsburgh Steelers.
Our team of writers and handicappers break down the matchup and hand out a Free NFL Pick for Week 16.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Steelers -2.5 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set at 34.5 total points.
Key Trend: The Steelers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games and 5-0 against the number in their last five games on the road. Pittsburgh is also 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games when playing Tennessee.
Key Stat: The Steelers’ defense has been absolutely amazing this season, allowing just 13.7 points per game, 164.4 passing yards per game and 75.8 rushing yards per game. Tennessee’s defense has been just as good, surrendering just 14.1 points per game, 187.6 passing yards per game and 93.4 rushing yards per game.
Game Outlook: This is going to be one of the best defensive matchups of the season as both of these teams have absolutely dominated opposing offenses this season. This game might come down to which team has the ball last and if it’s the Steelers, we like our chances of a Pittsburgh cover. Ben Roethlisberger has been one of the most clutch players in the league this year in the fourth quarter and he’s coming off another dramatic, come-from-behind victory over Baltimore last Sunday. Tennessee’s offense looked rough last week in a loss to the Texans and this isn’t a game to try to get back on track. The Titans will keep this game close because they’ve got home field advantage and their defense is so good, but we like Pittsburgh to cover by at least a field goal. And even though the number is set so low, take the under. Points are going to be hard to come by in this game. For the rest of our Free NFL Pick, see below.
Our Free NFL Pick for the Week 16 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans game is
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -2.5
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
Pittsburgh Steelers 10
Tennessee Titans 6
We also predict that this game will GO UNDER THE TOTAL (34.5 Sports Interaction.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
Posted: 12/21/08 10:00AM ET