NFL Week 3 Steelers at Raiders Betting Preview
1-1 Teams Square Off on Sunday Night
Pittsburgh makes their second straight appearance in Primetime in Sunday night’s week 3 Steelers at Raiders betting matchup. Mike Tomlin’s club picked up a 28-22 victory over the Browns on Monday night, but they also needed two defensive TDs to do so.
The Steelers offense is struggling, but so are the Raiders who have managed just 27 points through their first two weeks. This is the home opener for Las Vegas in the nationally televised Sunday Night Football game, so we shall see if that extra excitement in the atmosphere gives the Raiders an edge as -3 point home favorites.
Why the Steelers Have Value at +3 on Sunday
Nobody would be shocked if Pittsburgh went on the road and won this game outright, even if it is the Raiders’ home opener. For as bad as the Steelers have been on offense with the 29th ranked unit in total yards (247.0), it’s not like the Raiders have been a whole lot better at 250.5 which is 28th.
Las Vegas has only scored 13.5 ppg, which is fewest in the NFL so it’s not like Pittsburgh needs to do a whole lot to steal the win in the week 3 Steelers at Raiders betting contest. Najee Harris has yet to get going this year (16 carries, 74 yards) but he’s got a great matchup with the Raiders’ #29 rush defense (138.5 ypg).
The offenses may mirror each other on Sunday night, but where Pittsburgh has an advantage is with their explosive defense. The numbers are actually very similar on that side of the ball too, but the Steelers used defensive TDs from Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt to get Monday’s victory over the Browns.
Why the Raiders Have Value at -3 on Sunday
There are a couple intangibles working in LV’s way on Sunday night – 1) it’s their home opener and 2) the Steelers are on the short week after Monday night’s home game against Cleveland. These two teams have put up very similar numbers and this feels like a field goal game, so maybe the best approach is to either buy up or buy down off the -3.
Much like their week 3 combatants, the Raiders have yet to get their running game going at a mere 58.0 yards/game but the Steelers are also the worst defense in the NFL against the rush (138.5). One could argue that the skill position talent of Josh Jacobs / Davante Adams is more desirable than Harris / George Pickens giving Las Vegas an edge in that regard.
If Las Vegas can keep Jimmy Garoppolo upright against the pressure of Watt, Las Vegas should have the QB advantage on Sunday night as well. Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett hit just 15 of 30 passes on Monday night and has 2 TDs against 3 INTs on the year.
Free Week 3 Steelers at Raiders Betting Pick
This game opened at LV +1 and has been bet down to the Raiders -3, so the home team does have some money on them here. The Steelers could easily be 0-2 heading into this contest if not for a couple defensive TDs on Monday, and the short week doesn’t do them any favors. The Raiders got blown out 38-10 against Buffalo last Sunday – but that was expected.
Ultimately in a game so evenly matched, you take the points, maybe even paying extra to buy an extra 1/2 point.
Free Pick: Steelers +3.5
