Packers vs Steelers Predictions, Lines & Starters on Aug 13

• The Green Bay Packers are 2.5 point favorites as they begin their NFL pre-season against the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Jordan Love is expected to play a series or two, but Aaron Rodgers’ status is up in the air
• See below for the Packers vs Steelers odds and key players who will see action

The long wait is officially over, and fans of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will see their teams play in a game Thursday evening at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

It’s a revenge game, of sorts, for new Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy, as he faces the squad he coached for 13 seasons, and Aaron Rodgers will be up against his old team he played 18 seasons for. Whether he suits up is a game-time decision, but he’s indicated he’d prefer not to play. On the other sideline, QB Jordan Love and the first string offense is expected to play a series or two before giving way to the backups.

In the odds to make the NFL playoffs, the Pack are sitting comfortably at -150, but the Steelers are +140 to make the postseason. This duel kicks off at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on NFL Network. Read below as we look at the odds, key players in action and who won’t compete.

Packers vs Steelers Betting Lines

Coming off a disappointing 9-7-1 season, the Packers were ousted in the Wild Card round of the playoffs by Chicago 31-27. The Steelers were ever so slightly better, sporting a 10-7 record in Mike Tomlin’s final season as Head Coach. However, they were defeated 30-6 by the Texans in the Wild Card round as well.

Packers vs Steelers Odds

Odds as of August 13th from Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for a Caesars Sportsbook promo code to bet on for NFL this season.

The Packers are 2.5-point favorites on the spread, and are getting -162 odds on the moneyline to win outright. Pittsburgh is getting +134 odds to win, while the total rests at 40.5 points.

Neither of these clubs are among the favorites in the Super Bowl odds, with Green Bay +2000 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, and Pittsburgh further behind at +5500.

Packers vs Steelers Prediction & Pick

• Over 40.5 Points (-113) – Bet this pick at Caesars

Packers main man Matt LaFleur has indicated he wants to give the first string offense some runway for a series or two. Pittsburgh will mostly be resting starting players on D, so GB can exploit that early in this contest.

Following Love’s removal from the game, the Pack still have veteran Tyrod Taylor and his 15 years of experience behind him to score some more points. If A-Rod doesn’t get the nod, the Steelers will see holdovers Mason Rudolph (who McCarthy has been praising in practice), Will Howard and rookie third rounder Drew Allar.

NFL pre-season often features some sloppy play on both sides of the ball, but also on special teams. I expect this to be a relatively high scoring affair, given Jordan Love starting the game, and Pittsburgh featuring a capable starter in Mason Rudolph, along with an intriguing rookie pivot in Drew Allar. I’m going with points aplenty in this one and taking the over, with perhaps a special teams TD juicing the point total towards over.

Who’s Playing And Who Isn’t?

Both coaches – Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur and Pittsburgh’s Mike McCarthy – won’t feature most projected starters for much of this contest tonight.

The most notable players expected to see action tonight focus on backup quarterback battles, rookies, and depth position players vying for roster spots:

Green Bay Packers

• Jordan Love (QB): Jordan Love gets the nod and is expected to play a series or two before giving way to the backups. He’s a top-10 choice in the NFL MVP odds race.
• Tyrod Taylor (QB): The veteran quarterback will be called upon shortly after Love exits this affair. It’s his first season in the GB system, having come over from the Jets.
• MarShawn Lloyd (RB): With Josh Jacobs out at least a week (groin), oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd is hoping to show he’s behind his injuries and can be a key running back.
• Christian Watson & Matthew Golden (WRs): Highlighting the receiver group is Christian Watson, and 2025 first round pick Matthew Golden looks to have a bounce back sophomore campaign.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Mason Rudolph (QB): With Aaron Rodgers not likely to play much, if any, first up is holdover Mason Rudolph, who has been receiving praise from HC Mike McCarthy.
• Will Howard & Drew Allar (QB): The battle for third string QB is alive and well, with 2025 6th rd pick Will Howard up against 2026 3rd rd selection Drew Allar. Allar is expected to play the second quarter and Howard the entire second half.
• Rico Dowdle (RB): The Steelers off-season signing is in a battle for snaps with incumbent Jaylen Warren in the Pittsburgh backfield. However, as of now, both sound like they’ll be rested to avoid injury.
• Max Iheanachor (OT): It’ll be disappointing that Steelers first round pick (21st overall) Max Iheanachor is not likely to suit up with an upper-body injury.