The line opened at Pittsburgh -3 and is now Pittsburgh +2...
At home the Steelers' D plays better (more ferociously) but that is not to say they play badly on the road. Thirty of their thirty eight sacks were at home so they are averaging 5 sacks a game at Heinz. The Pitts' D is ranked 6 in stats and 7th in points allowed (where the rubber meets the road).
The presence of Minkah Fitzpatrick has solidified the back side of that Pittsburgh defense...if there is a better free safety in all of football, I don't know who that might be. The corners Haden and Nelson along with Hilton at slot corner have elevated their play this year and finally this secondary can play man coverage when needed. The strong safety is Edmunds in his second year, has size and he tackles well but not the best in coverage.
Beckham and Landry are dangerous receivers if Mayfield is given the time to find them downfield...
The Chubb/Hunt two headed monster are formidable at the running back position...no doubt about it and Hunt catching passes out of the backfield presents a challenge. Devin Bush has been a Godsend in helping Pitts' to shut down the run...he has been a force inside...Ryan Shazier's loss a few years really stung this team.
What about that pukey Pittsburgh offense...right you are. Due to injuries Pittsburgh has been forced to improvise in order to score points...they have used everything from a dink and dunk offense and even tried the wildcat with some success...
I like their current configuration on offense...their best rusher (not Conner) Benny Snell is back from injury and he is complimented by a practice squad pickup named Kerrith Whyte (who he)...Whyte hath great speed and he hits the holes with great gusto...he ran a 4.36 at the NFL combine in the 40 yard dash.
Yeah, he ran against the Bengals but can he do it against the Browns???...sure why not? Jaylen Samuels can be dangerous as a pass catcher out of the backfield and he has had a lot of experience running the ball if Whyte is not up to the task.
In the receiving corps we have the usual suspects. Washington and Johnson are coming along and there is a new guy named Cain they picked up recently who shows promise. Holton is a burner who needs more playing time. They have two TEs who can catch the ball...McDonald and Vannett.
Smith-Shuster is out but no big loss as he is having a down year...went from being #2 to #1 and the transition seems to have been too much for him. He has also had some big fumbles and has had problems catching the ball lately. He was whacked helmet to helmet by two brown DBs at the same time in the last game so he has been out 17 days with the concussion protocol and he also injured his knee on the play.
When I look at Devlin Hodges, I see a confident guy who hits receivers in stride and he makes good decisions and he throws catchable balls...moves well in the pocket and is also a threat to run. My answer to his doubters is 'watch him play' then talk to me. He broke most of Steve McNair's (RIP) passing records at Samford. This duck caller can sling it.
He lit it up in both preseason and he has delivered when he has been called upon in the regular season. He played great in relief of Rudolph against the Ravens and he had a very good game starting in LA against the Chargers...yeah, the stats are not impressive but his production and ball protection is...with this D, he gives them the best chance to win...the whole team plays better when he is in there and his team mates have confidence in him.
I love Pittsburgh this week straight up on the moneyline +115...
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