by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2021
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET, October 17, 2021
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Where to watch: NBC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Steelers -4.5
BetMGM: Steelers -5
Caesars: Steelers -5
Season record
Seahawks: 2-3 (T-3rd, NFC West)
Steelers: 2-3 (Last place, AFC North)
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Seahawks - Steelers preview and analysis
Recent form
Seahawks: lost 26-17 vs. Rams in Week 5
Steelers: won 27-19 vs. Broncos in Week 5
Have you ever wondered what it would look like if the Seattle Seahawks ever traded quarterback Russell Wilson?
At least that hasn't happened. Yet. But life without Wilson could be bleak over the next several weeks after undegoing surgery on that nasty finger injury he suffered last week.
Geno Smith, come on down. You're the next contestant on The Price is Right.
Smith and the 2-3 Seahawks will hit the road to face the struggling 2-3 Pittsburgh Steelers in what could turn out to be an important Sunday Night Football game for both clubs.
A win means that team gets to sing Kumbaya as a .500 team and feel like the world isn't falling apart yet. A loss, given the current state of the NFC West and AFC North, could put some early pitfalls in the stomachs of many in each fanbase.
The Seahawks have lost three of four since their 12-point win in Week 1 over the Indianapolis Colts. They've allowed 25 points or more in those three losses and still gave up 21 in a win to the San Francisco 49ers.
And now they have to try and outlast a Pittsburgh team without their franchise quarterback.
The frustrations for Wilson are evident. Not many quarterbacks could have 10 touchdowns to 1 interception and somehow find himself on a 2-3 football team. Now the offense turns to Smith, the former New York Jets quarterback who hasn't started a game in what seems like forever.
Smith was actually decent for the most part last Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. He went 10 of 17 for 131 yards and a touchdown, but did throw the game-deciding interception in the closing minutes. The good news is compared to his time with the Jets, Smith actually has weapons. DK Metcalf had 98 yards and two touchdowns last week, and Tyler Lockett also had five receptions for 57 yards.
But that strong defense hasn't been so mighty as of late. Sure, they kept the Rams out of the end zone for the majority of the night, but Matthew Stafford still threw for 365 yards and a touchdown. Darrell Henderson Jr. ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Robert Woods also went off for 150 yards on 12 receptions.
If there was a time for the Steelers offense to get going on this Seahawks defense, it's this week. The offensive line is not giving Ben Roethlisberger time, they're not making things easy with the rushing attack for rookie running back Najee Harris, and they're wasting the talent at wide receiver the Steelers have.
Things may start to open up with JuJu Smith-Schuster out for the rest of the season. Chase Claypool had 130 yards and a touchdown last week against the Denver Broncos, while young receiver Diontae Johnson had 72 yards and a touchdown, as well. Tack on with this defense getting after a veteran quarterback not as talented as Wilson, things will look good in the Steel City.
Prediction
Harris ran for 122 yards against a really good Denver defense. If this is a sign of things to come, you feel pretty good about the Steelers right now. The Seahawks need to find a way to stay afloat, but it won't be this week. Steelers by 13
Betting trends
The Seahawks are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight after allowing 350 passing yards or more in their previous game.
The under is 8-2 out of the last 10 following a Seahawks loss.
Pittsburgh is 69-38 ATS in October games since 1992.
Pittsburgh is 9-2 ATS after the over cashed in its previous game.
Players to watch
Seahawks: Linebacker Bobby Wagner has 19 tackles and a forced fumble in two career games against Pittsburgh.
Steelers: Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has at least six tackles in three of his last four home games.
Statistical leaders
Seahawks:
Passing: Russell Wilson -- 1,196 yards, 10 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Carson -- 232 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Tyler Lockett -- 390 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Darrell Taylor -- 4 sacks
Steelers:
Passing: Ben Roethlisberger -- 1,286 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Najee Harris -- 307 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Chase Claypool -- 341 yards, 1 TD
Defense: T.J. Watt -- 5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
