Steelers vs. Patriots picks, odds: Betting preview, prediction, start time and more for NFL Week 2 showdown — SkimNews
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- New England Patriots are 5.5-point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium with an Over/Under of 41.5 for Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Drake Maye threw three interceptions and was sacked three times in the fourth quarter of New England's 13-10 Week 1 loss to Seattle, and the Patriots' offensive line remains a concern heading into Week 2.
- T.J. Watt delivered a pick-six plus two of Pittsburgh's four sacks in a 20-13 Week 1 win over Atlanta, and the SportsLine Projection Model backs the Steelers to cover +5.5 in 56% of its 10,000 simulations.
- A.J. Brown, the Patriots' top offseason addition, is out approximately six weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1, leaving DeMario Douglas, Hunter Henry, and Mack Hollins to fill the receiving void.
- Aaron Rodgers opened his 22nd and final season with a pedestrian 221 yards and one touchdown against Atlanta, with DK Metcalf dropping multiple passes and Pittsburgh managing just 58 rushing yards.
- The Patriots defense allowed just 18.8 points per game last season (fourth-fewest in the NFL) and was 6-2-1 ATS at home, while Pittsburgh won last year's Foxborough meeting 21-17 by forcing five turnovers despite being outgained 369-203.
Why it matters: For bettors, the spread hinges on whether Maye can hold up behind a shaky offensive line now that Brown is sidelined, while Pittsburgh's pass rush — which recorded five sacks and four fumble recoveries against New England last year — gives the Steelers live-dog value at +5.5 even as the Patriots try to avoid an 0-2 start as defending AFC champions.
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