Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers

This is the first road game for Pittsburgh this August. Even at home, they haven't shown anything, losing to Houston (20-12) and Buffalo (9-3). The first-team offense hasn't scored a touchdown in two games. This is the only preseason home game for Detroit. The Lions come off a 24-23 victory at Kansas City rolling up 459 yards on offense (342 passing). QBs Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker are both fighting for the backup role behind Jared Goff. Look for a strong effort by the home team with the wagering value on the home dog to win the game. Play Detroit on the moneyline. 

Pittsburgh has won and covered its first two games, and the Steelers appear to have found another solid quarterback in Kenny Pickett, who has a 142.5 QB rating with three touchdowns and only three interceptions. The Steelers beat Jacksonville, 16-15, last week with Pickett completing six of seven for 76 yards, and Mason Rudolph was 17 of 21 for 127 yards. Mitch Trubisky also saw some action and went five for eight for 60 yards. If it's possible to have a letdown situation in preseason, it would be Detroit as the Lions finally won a preseason game under coach Dan Campbell after losing all three last year and also in Week 1 this season. The Lions barely got by Indianapolis, 27-26, when the Colts failed on a two-point conversion attempt in the final minute. Mike Tomlin is 36-24 straight up in preseason and 2-0 ATS this year. Pittsburgh is 7-3 ATS in its past 10 preseason games overall, and it has won and covered its last four at home. Take the Steelers for a Max Play.

Game of the Month - Detroit didn't lose for the first time this season as it enjoyed a bye week, but the Lions do have the scheduling advantage against the Steelers, who are on a short week after a tough game on Monday night as they barely beat Chicago, 29-27. Pittsburgh is the kind of team the Lions can hang with because the Steelers average only 20.1 points and are #25 in total yards. Also, the Steelers are just 2-5 ATS their last seven games, and Detroit is 5-0 ATS its past five games following an ATS loss (14-6 ATS in its last 20 following a loss by at least 10 points at home). Rookie Justin Fields got more confident as the game went on against the Steelers, and he finished with 291 yards passing. Jared Goff is capable of doing the same if he can cut down on his mental mistakes. Detroit has had two weeks to think about the possibility of finishing 0-17 and will have plenty of motivation in this one. Take the points with the Lions for my NFL Game of the Month.

Pittsburgh is off a one-sided division win over the Bengals, but that was at home and this offense has looked very different on the road. The Steelers' offense has scored 21, 17, and 19 points in three of four road contests. They lost to the Bears on the road as a 7-point favorite and struggled at the winless Browns in a 21-18 defeat as -10 chalk. Pittsburgh ranks #30 in red-zone efficiency on offense, scoring touchdowns on only 42.3 percent of possessions after reaching the opponent's 20-yard line. QB Ben Roethlisberger has nine TDs, and eight picks this season. They head to a Detroit squad off a bye week, regrouping after a sloppy 52-38 loss at New Orleans. The defense is eighth in the league at stopping the run and has forced 14 turnovers -- third-most in the league -- including nine interceptions. QB Matt Stafford (12 TDs, four INTs) is having another strong campaign with the Lions eighth in scoring. The Lions are 12-5 ATS after getting 90 rushing yards or fewer in their previous game. With the underdog covering four of the last five meetings, back the home team in a defensive duel. Take Detroit.