New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Najee Harris Run Pittsburgh to a Win?

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Najee Harris Run Pittsburgh to a Win?

In Week One, the Pittsburgh Steelers took an impressive win over the Cincinnati Bengals, who made the Super Bowl last year. For the Steelers, it was a dominating game defensively that led them to the 23-20 win. 

The New England Patriots Week One did not look similar to the Steelers. The Patriots were unable to put a solid offensive game together, and the Miami Dolphins controlled the entirety of the game as the Patriots lost 20-7.

The game will likely be a huge defensive matchup, and I don’t expect many points on the board in the Week Two matchup. 

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Patriots vs. Steelers Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: September 18, 2022
• Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: CBS

Click here for the odds

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers prediction

The battle of defenses in Week Two will be quite impressive to watch. In their first game of the season, the Steelers forced five turnovers, with four of them being interceptions against Joe Burrow. Minkah Fitzpatrick in particular had a huge game with 10 solo tackles (14 total), and a pick-six, 31-yard touchdown. The pass rush was also incredible, as the Steelers brought Burrow down seven times for a loss of 39 total yards. Alex Highsmith led the Steelers with three sacks. 

The strong defense was needed from the Steelers, though, as the offense wasn’t quite firing on all cylinders. Najee Harris only had 23 yards on ten touches. On 21 completions, Mitch Trubisky threw for just 194 yards and one touchdown. 

For the Patriots, it was a similar offensive game, as they couldn’t get much going, only scoring one touchdown. On defense, they didn’t dominate the game, but they only allowed one offensive touchdown scored from the Dolphins. Turnovers and the inability to finish drives really set the Patriots back. 

That being said, the Week Two matchup between the Patriots and Steelers will likely not be a shootout, which is why the total points over/under is set at 40.5. This game feels like one I would pick the under on, but that’s not the pick I’m going with. 

The Patriots, despite losing Week One, come into the game as 1.5 points favorites, leaving the Steelers as very close underdogs. I like the Steelers as underdogs and think they can win the game or keep it incredibly close. 

If the Steelers defense plays with the same intensity, the Patriots will struggle to put up many points again, and I find it hard to see Najee Harris playing as bad as he did in Week Two. The same goes for their receivers, I expect them to have a much better game and I see them starting off their season 2-0.

The Patriots could easily turn their season around if they lose in Week Two, but they’ll have to be able to shut teams down if they are going to struggle against good defenses. That may be the next big step for Mac Jones, the ability to show out even when a tough defense comes along.

To win the game, the Steelers offense just needs to be enough to get by. A big game by anyone will likely be more than enough to win the game if the defense plays similar to Week One. Assuming Najee doesn’t play as badly and the receivers make a game for themselves, being 1.5 point underdogs will look bad and they’ll win against the spread.

The only hesitancy I have in picking the Steelers is that they’re 1-4 in their last 5 games against the spread against New England.

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Pick

• Steelers +1.5 -110 (Bet $110 to win $100)