Upcoming Match-ups

Opening Steelers vs Vikings Odds and Betting Lines for TNF Week 14

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Dec 5, 2021 · 7:19 PM PST

Amon-Ra St. Brown catches the game winning touchdown vs Minnesota
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), defended by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) catches a 11-yard pass for a touchdown to end the NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
  • The Minnesota Vikings are 3.5-point home favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL’s Week 14 edition of TNF on Thursday, December 9
  • Minnesota has lost two straight games to drop to 5-7 on the season
  • Read below for opening odds analysis, and a prediction on which way the line will move before kickoff

Just when you think it can’t get any worse for the Minnesota Vikings, they find a way to go lower. And just when everyone was ready to throw dirt on top of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they step up and remind everyone why they are considered an elite NFL franchise.

Pittsburgh’s 20-19 victory over the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, by becoming the first team all season to lose a game to the Detroit Lions, the 5-7 Vikings all but ended any postseason talk involving them.

Nonetheless, oddsmakers are setting up Minnesota as the 3.5-point home favorites as they clash with the Steelers in the NFL’s Week 14 edition of TNF. Pittsburgh is 4-1 straight up in the club’s last five times facing the Vikings.

Steelers vs Vikings Opening Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Pittsburgh Steelers +160 +3.5 (-110) O 44.5 (-110)
Minnesota Vikings -190 -3.5 (-110) U 44.5 (-110)

Odds as of December 5th at FanDuel.

Kickoff for Thursday’s game under the dome at US Bank Stadium is set for 8:20 pm ET. FOX Sports is carrying the broadcast.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

In Pittsburgh’s two previous games, the 6-5-1 Steelers gave up 41 points each in consecutive losses to the Chargers and the Bengals. All logic was suggesting the time had come to write them off.

Then they called rewrite and beat the Ravens, their arch rivals. The Steelers even displayed a semblance of a run game. Rookie Najee Harris gained 71 yards on the ground against the NFL’s #2 run defense.

The story of the day, though, was Pittsburgh outside linebacker TJ Watt. He was an absolute menace to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Watt created 12 QB pressures, an NFL season high for any player. He also made six QB hits and collected 3.5 sacks. Watt now has an NFL-leading 16 sacks on the season. Overall, the Steelers sacked Jackson seven times on the day.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger looked more like his old self. He completed 21-of-31 passes for 236 yards. That included a pair of second-half touchdown passes to Diontae Johnson.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The first time the Vikings played the Lions this season they nearly lost. A last-play field goal gave Minny a 19-17 home-field win. Sunday, they sealed the deal. This time it was Detroit that secured the final-play score for a 29-27 victory to improve to 1-10-1.

The Minnesota defense allowed the NFL’s worst team to drive 75 yards on them in 1:50 for the game-winning score. If you dare mention the Vikings and playoffs in the same sentence, that infamous Jim Mora sound byte will magically appear.

It also didn’t help Minny’s cause that the Vikes turned it over on downs with 32 second left in the first half. That ill-fated decision ended up leading to a Detroit field goal that would prove vital in the final scoreline. If you’re Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, you might want to be getting that resume updated.

Minnesota-Pittsburgh Injury Updates

The Vikings played Sunday without a couple of key offensive weapons. It was known that running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) would be out. Wide receiver Adam Thielen was lost during the game due to a sprained ankle.

Watt managing to clear COVID-19 protocol and play against the Ravens was a huge difference maker for the Steelers. Pittsburgh was missing corner Joe Haden (foot) and defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs (ankle) on Sunday.

Steelers vs Vikings Projected Line Movement

Based upon what unfolded on Sunday, setting up the Vikings as the 3.5-point seems a bit much. Expect there to be plenty of action on the Steelers at that number. Look for the line to be shortening.

Pittsburgh showed some life on Sunday. The Vikings rolled over and played dead. In Pittsburgh, Minnesota will also be facing one of the best TNF teams of all-time.

The Steelers are 9-3 (.750) in 12 TNF appearances. That’s second-best in both wins and winning percentage among NFL teams. Minnesota is a dismal 2-5 (.285) in seven TNF games.

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