Vikings vs. Steelers Odds, Preview, Picks for Thursday Night Football

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Steelers vs. Vikings Odds

Steelers Odds +3,5
Saints Odds -3.5
Over/Under 43.5
Date Thursday, Dec 9.
Time 8:20 p.m. ET
TV NFL Network

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings will open Week 14 of the NFL season on Thursday evening at U.S. Bank Stadium. Pittsburgh has already ruled out Joe Haden, Robert Spillane, and Isaiah Buggs on the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota is dealing with a myriad of injuries to both sides of the ball. The Steelers seemed to be spiraling towards the bottom of the AFC standings prior to an upset win in Week 13 over the Baltimore Ravens, but will be looking to keep their playoff hopes alive on Thursday Night Football. Minnesota allowed a walk-off touchdown last Sunday to the previously winless Detroit Lions. Oddsmakers are anticipating a tightly-contested matchup between these two teams trying to improve their postseason chances, pricing the Vikings as a field goal favorite on the spread.

Steelers +3

Simply, the Steelers are not a very good football team. Per Pro Football Focus, Ben Roethlisberger has graded as the 35th best (or 3rd worst) quarterback to have taken a minimum amount of snaps this fall. The veteran signal caller ranks 18th in passing yards and 24th in QBR in 11 games played this fall. Roethlisberger’s decline in skill has not been mitigated in the slightest by a porous offensive line that has allowed 25 sacks and supported a running attack averaging a dreadful 3.7 yards-per-carry, which ranks 30th out of 32 teams. Despite Najee Harris being a first round talent, he has been largely ineffectual on the ground in 2021, frequently being hit behind the line of scrimmage. Still, this offense could have one of its better performances of the season on Thursday against a Minnesota secondary that has allowed a 93.1 passer rating and 4.7 yards-per-carry this season.

Defensively, Pittsburgh will be without cornerback Joe Haden, linebacker Robert Spillane, and defensive end Isaiah Buggs, but only Haden’s absence figures to make much of an impact on the field. Even Haden’s absence might not end up being a big deal, considering that Minnesota will be without Adam Thielen in this matchup. Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt figure to have their way against a relatively weak Minnesota offensive line that will be without Christian Darrisaw for this contest. If Pittsburgh can manage to avoid surrendering big plays through the air, this defense should have a strong showing on national television.

Vikings -3

More than anything, the Vikings’ poor record this season is the fault of the coaching staff. Kirk Cousins has been sensational under center, posting 25 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions, while ranking 6th in passing yards and 10th in QBR. Cousins has completed 68.4 percent of his pass attempts, and has not been sacked more than three times in a game this season, despite questionable pass blocking protecting him. Alexander Mattison has performed well when filling in for Dalvin Cook in the backfield. Yet, conservative coaching has limited what could be one of the most dynamic offensive attacks in the NFL.

On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota has major question marks heading into their matchup with Pittsburgh. Linebacker Blake Lynch and safety Camryn Bynum are both listed as questionable with injuries. Lynch is the a key component of Minnesota’s pass rush, which would be hurt significantly if he is forced to be on the sidelines. Prior to a Week 10 injury, Bynum had been one of the elite safeties in the NFL. In three games since Bynum’s injury, Minnesota has allowed 31 points, 34 points, and 29 points.

Thursday Night Football Picks & Prediction

At full strength, the Vikings are the better football team in this matchup. However, Minnesota has their own coaching staff and poor health working against them as they prepare to take on Pittsburgh on Thursday. If Lynch and Bynum are able to suit up for the Minnesota defense, this is a team capable of winning a closely-contested game. If the Vikings are down two of their better defenders, Pittsburgh has legitimate underdog value on the road. Facing the uncertainty of the final injury report, we are locking in a small wager on a same-game parlay, favoring a competitive, lower-scoring affair.

TEASER: Steelers +10.5, Under 50.5 (-123)

Image Credit: Imagn

About the Author

nickgalaida
Nick Galaida (nickgalaida)

A failed high school pitcher, Nick Galaida discovered that he has a higher aptitude for analyzing and writing about sports than he does playing them. To his friends, he is better known as “The Commish.” When he’s not organizing a fantasy league, placing a bet, or writing an article, he’s probably nose-deep in a book—further illustrating the point that his niche in this world is as a nerd rather than an athlete. Follow Nick on Twitter – @CommishFilmRoom