Current NFL odds have the Pittsburgh Steelers as slight favorites for this week’s Sunday Night Football clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
FanDuel Sportsbook opened with the Steelers as -2.5 favorites. The Cowboys took early money, driving the point spread to -1.5.
The Steelers are coming off a Week 4 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Cowboys took care of business in New York, beating the Giants 15-10.
Traditional NFL handicapping gives the home team three points on the spread. According to famed bettor Billy Walters, home-field advantage from 1974-2022 is actually worth 2.5 points. So the oddsmakers view this week’s game as a pick-em if played on a neutral field.
Colts HC Shane Steichen’s game-opening script should scare Steelers bettors. The Colts opened with tempo. QB Anthony Richardson went over the top for a 32-yard strike to Michael Pittman Jr. on the game’s opening play.
The Steelers found themselves in a 14-0 hole before the first quarter ended and never fully recovered. Pittsburgh couldn’t establish a running attack, with the deficit forcing passes on early downs. RB Najee Harris finished the game with a paltry 19 yards on 13 carries.
QB Justin Fields played well enough, passing for 314 yards and one TD while adding another 55 rushing yards and a rushing TD.
But putting Fields in passing scenarios won’t work long-term.
Fields’ career as a starting QB is marred by turnovers, especially when forced to do too much. A third-quarter fumble on the Colts 33-yard line cost the Steelers much-needed points.
Now the Steelers face a quarterback and Cowboys offense capable of going over the top early and often. If Dak Prescott can connect with CeeDee Lamb early in the game, Sunday night’s affair might be another long one for the Steelers.