2024 Pittsburgh Steelers Odds & Preview: Is Russell Wilson the Answer?
Action Network/Getty Images. Pictured: Russell Wilson.
The Steelers won 10 games last season without much consistency at quarterback. They've turned to a former Super Bowl winner who needs to prove he still has something left in the tank.
Here's everything you need to know about Pittsburgh this season.
Odds via FanDuel and as of Aug. 2.
Market | Odds |
---|---|
Super Bowl | +5000 |
AFC Champion | +2500 |
AFC North | +750 |
Make/Miss Playoffs | +152 / -192 |
Win Total | 8.5 (+116 / -144) |
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2023 Steelers Betting Records
- 10-8 against the spread (+6.3% ROI)
- 7-11 to the over (-25.8% ROI)
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Past Steelers Win Totals
Season | Win Total | No. of Wins |
---|---|---|
2021 | 8.5 | 9 |
2022 | 7.5 | 9 |
2023 | 9 | 10 |
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Important Steelers Betting Stats
Few have coached more games in the NFL than Mike Tomlin. Overall, he’s been a neutral for bettors with a 150-136-7 mark against the spread.
Three Steelers QBs have noteworthy records against the spread in the NFL. Wilson is 101-95-8, Fields is 14-23-1 and Kyle Allen is 9-9-1.
The Steelers gave up the fifth-fewest points in the NFL last season and scored the fifth-fewest. Teams like the Titans, Raiders, Broncos, Commanders and Cardinals all outscored Pittsburgh last year.
So, it’s pretty clear which side of the ball Pittsburgh needs to fix. It’s frankly amazing that the Steelers won 10 games and made the playoffs given how inept the offense was at times.
After a year of Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph primarily leading the charge under center, the Steelers made a pair of acquisitions at quarterback. They’re different and for varying timelines.
The hope appears to be that Wilson starts Week 1 and is the starter this season. Pittsburgh felt it needed a veteran presence and came up with Wilson, who has been an average quarterback since leaving the Seahawks. He comes to the Steel City after his reputation took a big hit due to a pair of horrible seasons with the Broncos.
The long-term future at quarterback could be Fields. After the Bears took Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, Fields was sent to Pittsburgh for minimal draft capital. His rushing upside is evident, although questions remain about how prolific an NFL passer he can be.
Regardless of which QB starts, neither can be much worse than what the Steelers got last season. There’s some new personnel, as well, that could help improve the offense.
Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator after being fired as the Falcons head coach. If the style he implements is similar to what he ran in Atlanta, expect a run-heavy approach.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina, which leaves room for George Pickens to become the true WR1. The rest of the Steelers receiving corps is underwhelming, but the hope will be that Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren can power the offense through the running game.
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How To Back the Steelers This Season
The problem for the Steelers’ hopes this season is that Joe Burrow is healthy in Cincinnati and the Ravens were the best team last season in the AFC. Also, Cleveland is going to remain relevant with its stout defense, despite its mediocre quarterback play in recent years (sound familiar?).
If you’re looking to bet the Steelers, the market might be whether they make the playoffs. Yes is +152 while no is -192 at FanDuel. For a team that won 10 games with awful quarterback play last season and appears to have upgraded the position, that’s crazy.
You could take a big shot on the Steelers winning the AFC North, but making the playoffs seems like the market to attack if you think Pittsburgh will improve upon what was a 10-win campaign last year.
According to Action Network's Sean Koerner, the Steelers will face the second-hardest schedule in the NFL this season.
The Steelers face the gauntlet that is the AFC North, as well as games against the Cowboys, Jets, Eagles and Chiefs.
The Steelers open their season in Atlanta against the Falcons. Pittsburgh is getting 2.5 points as a Week 1 underdog.
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