We've got one game on the Sunday night preseason NFL schedule as the Pittsburgh Steelers will play Ben Roethlisberger for the first time this year against the Tennessee Titans. We break down the odds and give you our four best bets for this AFC showdown which kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET. **video
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (-2.5, 40 @ POINTSBET)
FIRST-HALF BET
The Pittsburgh Steeler will have their captain Ben Roethlisberger under center for the first time this year versus the Tennessee Titans on Sunday night. Most Steelers starters will play, but how much isn’t certain. “We’re excited because there’s going to be a possibility that everyone is going to play,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated earlier this week.
We expect Big Ben to have an immediate impact on this offense. An offense that has a lot of talent at receiver and plans to use them all versus the Titans. “I think we are going to try and rotate receivers in. I think everyone will get a little bit of time.”
The first half total could rise if Ben and the Steelers get pass-happy against the Titans who are also able to put up points early — averaging 15.5 points in the first half.
PREDICTION: First Half Over
TEAM/PLAYER PROP
The Steelers are evaluating two kickers at the moment which means more chances for field goals instead of going for it on fourth-and-2 on the 30. The battle is between veteran Chris Boswell and rookie Mathew Wright, both of whom are 2-for-2 so far in the preseason.
“We’re going halves this week,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters earlier this week regarding the kickers’ usage for Sunday’s game. “We’ve been going every other kick”
As neither kicker has attempted a kick of beyond 49 yards this year, look for the Steelers to test their legs to get a good understanding of their game-time distance. That gives bettors a good chance to see a field goal.
PREDICTION: First score of the game is a field goal
FULL GAME TOTAL
The total opened at 40, and that’s where it stands now. Since we are on the first-half Over, it makes sense that we want a shootout. Usually, once the starters are out it can be a real crapshoot as to how the offenses move the ball, but not every team has Ryan Tannehill as a backup.
If Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota can’t put some numbers on the scoreboard, there is a good chance Tannehill will. The former Dolphin signal-caller is sporting a 130.8 QB rating to go along with three TDs and zero INTs over 27 passing attempts.
Both teams are sporting very competent QBs who are more than capable of moving the chains versus second- and third-string defenses. Life’s too short to bet the Under.
PREDICTION: Over 40
FULL GAME SIDE
The Titans are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 exhibition contests while the Steelers are 8-2 ATS. Preseason trends should be taken lightly, but these numbers coupled with the Steelers' edge at receiver will be forcing us to back the Steelers.
Even if Pittsburgh falls behind early, their QB rotation of Roethlisberger, Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph can keep the Steelers within striking distance, making the two and a half points quite valuable.
PREDICTION: Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
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