Broncos vs Steelers Odds, Lines, Picks, and Predictions
- The Denver Broncos are 1.5-point road favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in their NFL game on Sunday, October 10 at Heinz Field
- Sunday Betting Record: 0-0 ML; 0-5 ATS; 0-0 O/U; -4.63 units
- Denver hasn’t won at Pittsburgh since 2006 – read below for our betting prediction
The Denver Broncos tasted defeat last week for the first time during the 2021 NFL season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t sampled victory since the opening week of the season.
Pittsburgh is 0-2 straight up at home this season. So even though the Steelers will be playing host to the Broncos, it’s Denver that oddsmakers are establishing as 1.5-point road favorites. The Steelers are 5-0 against the spread as a home underdog since the start of the 2018 season.
Broncos vs Steelers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | -126 | -1.5 (-114) | O 39.5 (-110) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +108 | +1.5 (-106) | U 39.5 (-110) |
Odds as of October 9 at FanDuel
Kickoff for Sunday afternoon’s game at Heinz Field is set for 1pm ET. Cloudy skies, 7 mph wind and a temperature of 75 degrees are in the forecast.
Line Dancing
There’s been some wild fluctuations in the betting line of this game. It opened at Pittsburgh -1.5. As recently as Friday, it was still Steelers -1. However, as news that Broncos starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) appears able to play was leaking on Friday, money began backing the Broncos. The line went to Denver -1 and then to its current status as Broncos -1.5.
Steelers-Broncos Week! #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/rx3mI2IiI5
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 7, 2021
According to NFL betting trends, wagering on the spread shows 56% of handle and 60% of bets is backing the Steelers. Denver is getting 44% of the handle and 40% of the bets.
When it comes to the moneyline, 40% of the handle and 41% of bets is supporting the Steelers. The -126 favorite Broncos are getting 60% of handle and 59% of bets. As for the tiny total of 39.5 points, the over is garnering 47% of handle and a whopping 78% of bets. There’s 53% of handle but only 22% of bets backing the under.
Broncos’ Bridge Over Troubled Waters
At some point today, the Broncos should find out whether starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) is cleared to play in Sunday’s game. Bridgewater was a full participant in practice on Friday.
Teddy Bridgewater looking good: pic.twitter.com/fBl7AA9ejM
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 8, 2021
Denver head coach Vic Fangio said on Friday that Bridgewater was cleared. However, he won’t be given the final go ahead until he successfully completes his concussion protocol on Saturday.
If Bridgewater fails that testing, Drew Lock will be under center for Sunday’s game, and that could certainly cause some late action on the Steelers.
Pittsburgh’s Offensive Offense
Since a stunning season-opening win at Buffalo, the Steelers have been an epic disaster. They’ve lost three in row by a combined total of 33 points. They’re 0-2 at home.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to be a shadow of his former Super Bowl-winning self. During the three losses, he’s thrown for three touchdowns against four interceptions. Big Ben is struggling to create any sort of vertical passing game.
Najee Harris, asked about playing for a 1-3 team in the context of playing at Alabama and never having to be criticized-
“We got criticism at Alabama. We lost two games that one year.” pic.twitter.com/D4RQmkOHhh
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 8, 2021
Pittsburgh’s offensive line is porous and it’s running game non-existent. The Steelers are last in the NFL in rushing for the second season in a row.
That doesn’t figure to get better against a defense run defense that’s given up 100 yards on the ground once in four games.
Injury Report
Bridgewater is among four Denver starters at the skill positions on offense who are listed as questionable for this game. Running back Melvin Gordon III (lower leg) and wide receivers Diontae Spencer (chest) and Courtland Sutton (ankle) are the others. The Broncos are already missing WR Jerry Jeudy (high ankle sprain) who’s on IR.
#Broncos potential starting WR group at #Steelers:
• Tim Patrick
• Kendall Hinton
• David Moore😬
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) October 8, 2021
On defense, right cornerback Patrick Surtain II (chest) is also listed as questionable.
For the Steelers, right cornerback Cameron Sutton (groin) and backup wide receiver James Washington (groin) are out.
Trendspotting
Denver’s last win at Pittsburgh was a 31-20 verdict on November 5, 2006. The Broncos have won just twice in the Steel City since 1988. Overall, the Broncos have won two of three, four of six, and six of nine games from the Steelers.
Denver’s pass defense has more interceptions (four) than TD passes allowed (three). Pittsburgh is 2-8 straight up over the past 10 games. The Steelers haven’t lost four in a row since 2016.
Back home to take on the Broncos.#HereWeGo | #CrucialCatch | @UPMC | @UPMCHillmanCC pic.twitter.com/OfvWgOauS4
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 6, 2021
The Broncos are 6-1-2 ATS in their last nine games against the Steelers. The total has gone over in each of Denver’s last five games at Pittsburgh and in 10 of the past 14 games between these two teams.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 (-106).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
