The New Orleans Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Oct 31, as the Steelers look to keep their perfect road record intact. The Saints are desperate for a win as other teams in the NFC South keep winning. NFL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Saints as -1 point home favorites over the Steelers while the game's total has been posted at 44.5 points. Be sure to get your NFL Week 8 Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints Betting Odds in now at BODOG.com
The Steelers (5-1) won in Miami 23-22, in Week 7, and now sit atop the AFC North. QB Ben Roethlisberger completed 19 or 27 passes for 302 yards with two TS’s. He connected with Mike Wallace, and Hines Ward for TD’s, as these two combined for 184 yards. RB Rashard Mendenhall had 15 carries for 37 yards. The Steelers went 0 for 3 in the red zone. The Steelers have won four consecutive road games, while Lawrence Timmons leads the team with 60 tackles. If you compare the Saints stats to the Steelers, it’s a no brainer the Saints would win. But, what’s Coach Mike Tomlin's take on all this? "I'm less concerned about what stats may potentially tell us, because we all know, in many instances, they lie," Tomlin said. What skews the Steelers' numbers is that nobody runs the ball on them. They allow an average of 63.7 yards rushing, and no opposing back has gained more than 48. Can't run, and the only alternative is to pass. And even that’s not easy. Safety Ryan Clark said. "I think the biggest number is touchdown passes given up, and we haven't given up that many (four). So I don't think there's anything we have to do different preparing for this game." The Steelers are ranked 25th overall on offense (300ypg) with a 26th ranked pass game (181ypg) and an 11th ranked ground game (118ypg). The Steelers score the 15th most points per-game (22.8ppg). Rashard Mendenhall leads their offense with five TD’s. They have the NFL’s fourth best defense (299ypg), with a 24th ranked pass rush (235ypg) and the NFL’s best ranked rush defense (63ypg). The Steelers give up the least amount of points per-game (13.7ppg).
The Saints (4-3) lost to Cleveland 17-30, at home, and now sit third in the NFC South. QB Drew Brees completed 37 of 56 passes for 356 yards with two TD’s and four interceptions. RB Christopher Ivory ran for 48 yards off 15 carries. WR Marques Colston made 10 catches for 112 yards with a TD, while David Thomas added a TD. Marques Colston has a TD catch in three consecutive games. What’s Drew Brees' take on the Steelers' defense? So much for statistics. "You can't just look at statistics and say, 'Hey, you rank top five and they rank bottom five, so this has got to be a gimme,'" Brees said. "So much of it is influenced by their run defense being so good, and the fact that they get up in a lot of games. They get up, and then the other team is playing from behind, and so their only choice is to throw the football, so that might pad the stats against them, when, in reality, throughout three quarters of the game, you know, they're very good." "When you play a wide-open offense like that, it's always tough to play against," Steelers Polamalu said. "He uses everybody, which is tough on the defense, and he's got a lot of talent in the wide receivers he uses."The Saints are ranked seventh overall on offense (371ypg) with a fifth ranked pass game (279ypg) and an 26th ranked ground game (92ypg). Lance Moore leads the Saints offense with four TD’s. They have the NFL’s third best ranked defense (288ypg), with a third ranked pass rush (179ypg) and a 17th ranked rush defense (108ypg). The Saints defense gives up the 13th least amount of points per-game (19.7ppg).
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Steelers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Saints are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Saints are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Saints are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 5-0-1 in Steelers last 6 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Steelers last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints
When: Sun, Oct 31, 8:20 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Steelers +1
Point-Spreads.com NFL Week 8 Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints Betting Odds
The Bottom Line: The Steelers pass rush must be at their best, which they usually are. Be sure to get your NFL Week 8 Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints Betting Odds in now at BODOG.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
