Pittsburgh Steelers vs Seattle Seahawks Point Spread Picks

Seattle led 10-7 going into the fourth quarter last week as an underdog but lost to San Francisco, 17-13. The defense allowed just 3.3 yards per rush. Pittsburgh is flying high after 41-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers led them to a 34-32 comeback win over the Jets. Fans are thinking playoffs already, but let's take a deep breath. The Steelers were outgained 394-271 and couldn't run the football (53 yards, 2.7 ypc), while the offense was 4-of-10 on third down. The defense allowed 182 rushing yards (4.7 ypc). Play Seattle. 

A long road trip for Pittsburgh. The offense has averaged just 13.8 points in its last five road contests. That included a 30-6 loss at Houston as a favorite and a 30-13 defeat at Indianapolis in their last road game. With QB Kenny Pickett injured, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will make his second consecutive start. The defense is 21st in yards allowed and 22nd on third down (39.81%). Seattle has won five of its seven home games and would be in the playoffs if the season ended now. They've won three of four with QB Geno Smith (19 TDs, 8 INTs) throwing 5 touchdowns with just one pick. With Seattle winning six of its last nine overall, the wagering value is on the home team to win the game. Play Seattle on the moneyline. 

Pete Carroll always has been a moneymaker in the preseason with a straight-up record of 36-24 and a 38-21-1 ATS mark with Seattle. This year will be the first without Russell Wilson since 2011 as Geno Smith and Drew Lock compete for the starting job. Carroll has named Smith the starter in this game after he passed for 702 yards and five TDs with one interception in his eighth NFL season last year. Drew Lock has had several chances in his career, and this might be the last one, although he has looked good at times in training camp as he learns a new offense after playing in six games with Denver in 2021. The No. 3 QB is Jacob Eason, who played in one game for the Colts last season. Mike Tomlin is 34-24 in preseason, but he is just 27-30-1 ATS, and like Seattle, he will be trying out a new quarterback for the first time in many years. Mitch Trubisky will start the preseason opener with rookie Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph waiting in the wings. Each is expected to play at least a quarter, and most will be basic plays as Tomlin obviously doesn't want to show too much of the offense in preseason. Chris Oladokun is the No. 4 QB and hasn't taken many steps in camp. Carroll has the motivation edge as he wants to show that his team can compete well without Wilson. Take the Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks were out-gained by just shy of 200 yards last week at home vs. Cincinnati. It was a back-and-forth game that saw neither team lead by more than four points. Seattle somehow always seems to find a way to do just enough, and found a way to put one in the win column. When Pete Carroll has been an underdog in Seattle, his team is 38-23 ATS. The Seahawks are also 38-22 ATS under Carroll after a spread loss. Pittsburgh came away from their Monday nighter in New England with a lot more questions than answers. The Patriots zoomed out to a 20-0 halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way in a 33-3 beat down. The offense looked lost and the defense was not what we have come to expect in Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger has lost Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown over the last two years and there just doesn't seem like there are any new game-changers around. I think Pittsburgh is going to struggle early and until they find some playmakers, as Big Ben is on an island right now. Play on Seattle.