Steelers’ Super Bowl Odds Improve to +850 After Beating Titans to Become AFC’s Only Unbeaten Team

• The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-0 for the first time since 1978 after beating the Titans in Week 7
• Their Super Bowl odds have improved from +1200 to +850
• Read below to see if we think they are truly a contender in the competitive AFC

And then there was one.

The Pittsburgh Steelers stand as the last undefeated team in the AFC following a narrow 27-24 win over the previously unblemished Tennessee Titans.

Yes, it took a missed Stephen Gostkowski field goal near the end of regulation to secure the victory. And sure, Pittsburgh nearly coughed up a 27-7 lead. But who can argue with results? Certainly not oddsmakers, who have bumped the Steelers up to the fourth-best Super Bowl odds.

2021 Super Bowl Odds

Odds taken Oct. 25 from FanDuel

Is now the time to wrap yourself in the Steel Curtain? Let’s explore.

Weapons of Mass Production

Two weeks ago, it was Chase Claypool having a coming-out party. This week, Diontae Johnson became the coveted name in fantasy football with a pair of touchdowns.

Spin away from the defender and GO.

Diontae Johnson is in the end zone again! @Juiceup__3

📺: #PITvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/MIIkbfUwYk pic.twitter.com/eEHffdpvwf

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2020

The Steelers’ receiving corps is full of speedy playmakers that can kill you in open space. Their offensive line is excellent in pass protection and heading into this weekend, Big Ben was having arguably the best start to a season in his career.

Ben Roethlisberger when throwing the ball in less than 2.5 seconds

Completion Percentage: 75.0 % (8th)
NFL passing rating: 117.5 (4th)
8 TDs – 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/7KWkqzuhrs

— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) October 21, 2020

The offense looks to have all the tools to stick around in a shootout with Kansas City or Baltimore. All you have to worry about as a Steelers fan is getting a big lead on those teams, because that’s when things go south. The offense has a penchant for second half turnovers, while the defense, well … let’s get to the defense.

The D is For ‘Deceptively Mediocre’

Terrifying! Horrific! Devastating! Those adjectives are often used by opposing quarterbacks to describe the Steelers’ incredible front four. But they’re also used by Pittsburgh fans when that pass rush doesn’t get home and they have to rely on their secondary to actually play coverage, because they’re very bad at it.

AJ BROWN TO THE HOUSE. 73 YARDS! @Brown1arthur

📺: #PITvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/MIIkbfUwYk pic.twitter.com/y9MQkoNId8

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2020

Turns out, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s arrival didn’t suddenly transform this unit into the Steel Curtain, they just went up against a lot of awful quarterbacks last season. This year, even when Pittsburgh forces opponents into obvious passing situations, they can’t make a play on the ball.

Both times the Steelers were in 3rd and very long: they went to Cover 3.

Knowing down/distance, I would like to see Sutton get just a tad more depth here towards the sideline.

But Haden gets turned around here by Fulgham on the inside sell. Wide open, just can't happen, man. pic.twitter.com/nm6fWyk9D0

— Derrick (@derrick_daKidD) October 14, 2020

If you’re excited about the Steelers this season, I hope it’s because of the potential of this offense. Defenses always improve as the year goes on, but with Devin Bush ruled out for the season last week, the ceiling on this group is not nearly as high as you might think.

Buying Into Blitzburgh?

Now is not the time to be investing in Steelers shares.

Sure, Pittsburgh definitely belongs in the upper echelon of AFC contenders. But they still haven’t made a convincing case that you should trust them over the Ravens or Chiefs, and a narrow win over the Titans doesn’t change that. It especially shouldn’t move their odds from +1200 to +850 in a year where homefield advantage means nothing.

The Steelers head to Baltimore next week, where the Ravens are around 6-point favorites. If you love Pittsburgh; bet them in that spot as a dog. Otherwise, wait for them to lose that game and see their Super Bowl odds fall to something more reasonable.