Monday Night Football Betting Picks: Steelers at Giants, Titans at Broncos
After a wild opening Sunday to the NFL season, Monday Night Football features the customary doubleheader to conclude Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road to face the Giants behind a returning Ben Roethlisberger. The Denver Broncos will welcome the Tennessee Titans and the resigned workhorse, Derrick Henry. Here are a sports betting preview and Monday Night picks for the final two games of Week 1.
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Monday Night Football Betting Picks
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants +6, O/U 47.5
The Pittsburgh Steelers will open up the season in New York as considerable favorites against the Giants. Online sports betting sites seem to think the Giants are not ready to improve upon a lousy 4-12 record from last season. On the other hand, the Steelers nearly made the playoffs despite losing Ben Roethlisberger in during a Week 2 affairs versus the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. Ben Roethlisberger is back — but to find the strength of Pittsburgh we should peek behind the Steel Curtain.
The Steelers defense was incredible in 2019 — holding opposing offenses to 4.7 yards per play and 18.9 points per game. The Giants offense struggled last season — finishing 2019 with rushing and passing success rates less than 50%. Without many big changes across the board, New York could struggle against a stout Steelers’ defense poised to make a playoff run.
Conversely, the G-Men featured a sieve-like defense in 2019 — allowing 5.7 yards per play and 28.2 points per game. The Steelers could not have asked for a cushier matchup for Big Ben’s return; JuJu Smith-Schuster — a strong DFS will surely be excited to receive targets from his veteran quarterback.
While the Steelers should score their fair share of points, the Giants will struggle to move the ball and score against the vaunted Steelers defense. Considering both teams lacked the typical training camp and preseason reps, offenses might not be clicking early. I am betting on the under on FanDuel Sportsbook — listed at 47.5 at the time of this writing.
NFL Betting Pick: Under 47.5 Points
Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos +1, O/U 41
The late-night affair for East Coast football fans features a slightly less exciting contest given the smashmouth style of play utilized by both teams. The Tennessee Titans travel across the country to Denver to meet the Broncos as minuscule favorites. The Titans committed to Derrick Henry and the running game — inking Henry to a 4-year, $50 million contract extension prior to the 2020 season. The Broncos signed Melvin Gordon to a two-year deal during the offseason and added rookie Jerry Jeudy to an emerging wide receiver corps.
Previously one-point underdogs, injuries to key members of the Broncos moved this line all the way to -3 on some sportsbooks. Von Miller will miss the home opener with both Courtland Sutton and KJ Hamler questionable. Jerry Jeudy should see plenty of targets but the Broncos will likely lean on a talented backfield led by Gordon and Phillip Lindsay.
The Titans are healthy and will look to establish a running attack that rode Derrick Henry into the AFC Championship Game last season. Henry led a rushing attack that toted the ball 28.7 times per game and averaged 5.0 yards per rush. The recently paid star will look to eclipse a 90.5-yard rushing prop on FanDuel Sportsbook against a middle-of-the-pack rushing defense missing one of their stars.
Drew Lock will begin his second campaign in the NFL with a banged-up receiving corps. Lock started five games last season — breaching 1,000 passing yards with 7 passing touchdowns. With Joe Flacco in New York, Lock will look to solidify his status as the Broncos’ starter against a middling Titans pass defense that added Jadeveon Clowney last week. Per Rotoworld, Clowney has a chance of suiting up in Week 1. Clowney bolsters a pass rush that finished with a 6.30% sack percentage.
With plenty of uncertainty for the Broncos on both sides of the ball, I love the Titan side when you can find a favorable price or spread. Using our NFL odds comparison tool, bettors can buy a -1 ticket on the Titans at FanDuel Sportsbook as of the time of this writing. The stability with the Tennessee offense tips the scales for me and I am going to jump on -1 before the line keeps moving to the Tennessee side.
NFL Betting Pick: Tennessee Titans -1 at FanDuel
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Here are my picks for one of the “More or Less” games at Monkey Knife Fight for the Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants.
Ben Roethlisberger More than 279.5 Passing Yards
Sterling Shepard More than 5.5 Receptions
JuJu Smith-Schuster More than 72.5 Receiving Yards
Saquon Barkley Less than 85.5 Rushing Yards
Here are my picks for one of the “More or Less” games at Monkey Knife Fight for the Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncs.
Ryan Tannehill Less than 229.5 Passing Yards
Jerry Jeudy More than 57.5 Receiving Yards
Derrick Henry More than 99.5 Rushing Yards
A.J. Brown Less than 4.5 Receptions
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