Steelers Betting Odds and Picks

Steelers History

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded on July 8, 1933, by Art Rooney and were originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, named after the city’s baseball team. The franchise struggled in its early years, facing financial difficulties and on-field challenges, and did not see much success through its first few decades. After adopting the “Steelers” name in 1940 to honor the city’s steel industry, the team continued to struggle during the 1940s and 1950s, often finishing near the bottom of the league standings. Despite fielding talented players like Hall of Famer Bill Dudley, the team was largely unsuccessful, failing to secure a championship or playoff berth until much later.

The Steelers’ fortunes changed dramatically in the 1970s, under the leadership of head coach Chuck Noll. Noll, who was hired in 1969, and the team’s general manager, drafted a legendary core of players that included Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount. These players became the foundation of one of the most dominant dynasties in NFL history. The Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years (1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979), becoming the first team to achieve that feat. Known for their “Steel Curtain” defense and powerful running game, the Steelers set a new standard for success and defined 1970s football.

In the modern era, the Steelers have remained one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. Led by coach Bill Cowher in the 1990s and Mike Tomlin from 2007 onwards, Pittsburgh has added two more Super Bowl titles (in 2005 and 2008) and regularly contended for playoff spots. The franchise is known for its stability, having had only three head coaches since 1969, and has a devoted fanbase, often referred to as “Steeler Nation.” The Steelers’ consistent success, strong defense, and rich history have cemented them as one of the NFL’s premier teams, with a total of six Super Bowl championships, tied for the most in league history.

Steelers Timeline

• 1933: The Pittsburgh Steelers are founded by Art Rooney as the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• 1940: The team changes its name from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Pittsburgh Steelers to reflect the city’s steel industry.
• 1972: The “Immaculate Reception” occurs during a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, one of the most famous plays in NFL history.
• 1974: The Steelers win their first Super Bowl (Super Bowl IX) under head coach Chuck Noll, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 16-6.
• 1975: The Steelers win their second Super Bowl (Super Bowl X), defeating the Dallas Cowboys 21-17.
• 1978: The Steelers win their third Super Bowl (Super Bowl XIII), once again defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 35-31.
• 1979: The Steelers become the first NFL team to win four Super Bowls by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in Super Bowl XIV.
• 1987: Art Rooney, founder of the Steelers, passes away; ownership transfers to his son, Dan Rooney.
• 1992: Bill Cowher is hired as head coach, replacing Chuck Noll after 23 seasons.
• 1995: The Steelers make it to Super Bowl XXX but lose to the Dallas Cowboys 27-17.
• 2004: The Steelers draft quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who becomes a franchise cornerstone for the next two decades.
• 2005: The Steelers win their fifth Super Bowl (Super Bowl XL), defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10, giving Bill Cowher his first Super Bowl title.
• 2007: Mike Tomlin is hired as head coach, succeeding Bill Cowher.
• 2008: The Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLIII), defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, making them the first team to win six Super Bowls.
• 2021: Ben Roethlisberger retires after 18 seasons as the Steelers’ quarterback, ending a Hall of Fame career.
• 2022: The Steelers draft Kenny Pickett, a potential new franchise quarterback, marking a new era for the team.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2024-25 Outlook

The outlook for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024-25 season revolves around continued development and solidification of their core, especially quarterback Russell Wilson. After a solid season from Kenny Pickett, Wilson has shoes to fill. But he comes to the table with more experience and a solid team. Surrounding him are key offensive pieces like wide receiver George Pickens, tight end Pat Freiermuth, and running back Najee Harris, who offer a dynamic set of weapons. 

The Steelers’ success in 2024 will largely depend on Wilson’s progression and the offense’s ability to improve in consistency, particularly in the passing game, where they’ve been inconsistent in recent years.

Defensively, the Steelers remain anchored by their star power, particularly with edge rusher T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, forming the backbone of a defense that has been one of the league’s strongest units. Watt’s ability to pressure the quarterback and Heyward’s leadership on the defensive line will continue to be critical as Pittsburgh builds around them. 

Key contributions are also expected from younger players like linebacker Alex Highsmith and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, making the defense a formidable force. If the Steelers can maintain their defensive dominance, they will stay competitive in the AFC North, which remains one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.

However, the path to the playoffs is not without challenges. The AFC North features perennial contenders like the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns, all of whom have strong rosters. To return to postseason success, the Steelers will need to navigate this difficult division while improving their offensive output and reducing turnovers. 

Health will also be a key factor, especially for Watt and Heyward, who are vital to their defensive identity. If Pittsburgh can build on their young talent and stay healthy, they have the potential to be playoff contenders in 2024-25, but the competition will be fierce, and success will require a balanced team effort.

Steelers NFL Record 

The Steelers had a pretty good run last season, ending off 10-7. Here’s a look at their full record:

https://www.nfl.com/standings/league/2023/reg

Pittsburgh Steelers Stats

Brush up on your Steelers stats, including player statistics and more:

https://sportstats.nypost.com/football/nfl/teamstatistics/23

Steelers Injury Reports

The Steelers aren’t strangers to injuries. Last year, players like Renell Wren, Cory Trice, and Cole Holcomb were out for most or all of the season. Our complete injury report has up-to-date information about Steelers’ injuries, so you can make the best wagers possible. 

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Outlook

If you’re looking to get a piece of the action this season, here are three ways you can find value on the Steelers:

Totals

The Steelers are projected to be competitive in the AFC North, but given the strength of the division, it’s challenging to predict a high win percentage. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, led by Joe Burrow, and the Baltimore Ravens, with Lamar Jackson, remain formidable threats, while the Cleveland Browns are also showing signs of improvement. 

That said, the Steelers’ expected win percentage for the 2024-25 season is likely in the 50-55% range (around 8-9 wins), making them a team that will fight for a Wild Card spot. Most sportsbooks will likely set their win total around 8.5 or 9.5 wins, and betting the over or under on this depends on confidence in Russel Wilson’s development and the team’s ability to stay healthy.

Spreads

In games where the Steelers are underdogs by more than a field goal (typically +3.5 or greater), it’s worth considering a bet on them to cover. These spreads give Pittsburgh enough cushion to stay within the margin, even in losses. 

As long as the defense performs at its usual high level and the offense continues to improve, the Steelers are a solid bet to cover spreads in these types of matchups. Additionally, bettors might want to avoid betting against Pittsburgh at home, where the team has historically performed well and covered the spread with regularity, especially in tough AFC North battles.

Over/Unders

Historically, the Steelers have leaned on a strong defense, which leads to many low-scoring games. This trend could continue in 2024-25, particularly in matchups against strong defensive teams like the Ravens, Browns, and other AFC contenders. Expect the total points line in Steelers games to often fall in the low-to-mid 40s, and betting on the under may remain a profitable strategy in defensive battles.

The “under” is especially attractive when the Steelers face teams with strong pass rushes or less dynamic offenses, as these matchups can turn into defensive slugfests. Conversely, in games against high-powered offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills, the total might be inflated, and the under could offer value if Pittsburgh’s defense can limit scoring and control the tempo. Bettors should focus on team matchups, considering both defensive strengths and game scripts that could keep scoring low, such as grinding run-heavy offenses or poor weather conditions in Pittsburgh.

2023-24 Steelers Betting Trends

Bettors that staked money on the Steelers last season likely saw these trends in action:

Unders Dominated the Season: One of the most consistent betting trends for the Steelers in 2023-24 was games hitting the “under” on the points total. Pittsburgh’s defense remained one of the best in the NFL, often keeping opponents’ scoring low, while the offense struggled at times to consistently put up points. As a result, many of their games ended up being lower-scoring than expected. Bettors who favored the under in Steelers games likely found success, particularly in matchups with division rivals or against strong defensive opponents.

Covering the Spread as Underdogs: The Steelers frequently found themselves as underdogs throughout the 2023-24 season, especially in games against high-powered offenses like the Bengals or Ravens. Despite being underdogs, Pittsburgh showed resilience and was able to cover the spread in many of these matchups. Bettors who backed the Steelers to cover as underdogs likely saw consistent returns.

Kenny Pickett Prop Bets on Rushing Yards: As a mobile quarterback, Pickett began to use his legs more frequently, especially in key moments to extend plays or avoid pressure. Bettors who took the over on his rushing yards in prop bets often found success, particularly in close games where Pickett was forced to scramble more. This trend reflected Pickett’s growing confidence and versatility as a quarterback, making his rushing prop bets a popular choice for sharp bettors.

Steelers 2024 Schedule

Don’t miss a single Steelers game this season:

Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart

Here’s a full look at the Steelers roster this year:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29098001/nfl-depth-charts-all-32-teams

Key Steelers Players for Betting

In addition to betting totals and spreads, here are a few players you should watch out for prop value:

• Russell Wilson
• Najee Harris
• George Pickens
• Pat Freiermuth
• Van Jefferson

Russell Wilson (Quarterback)

Russell Wilson brings veteran leadership and dual-threat capability to the Steelers, but his performance will depend heavily on how well he adapts to Pittsburgh’s system after a few challenging seasons with the Denver Broncos. 

Bettors should look for opportunities in Wilson’s rushing yards props, which have been a hallmark of his game throughout his career. In matchups where the Steelers face strong pass rushes, Wilson may rely more on his legs to extend plays, making the over on his rushing yards prop an attractive bet in certain situations. His passing yards and touchdowns will largely hinge on the chemistry he builds with targets like George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. Look for his passing yard totals to be in the 230-260 range, but keep an eye on how the Steelers’ offense utilizes Wilson in different game scripts. If the offensive line can protect him and he gets back to his playmaking form, Wilson could outperform expectations, especially in matchups against weaker defenses.

Najee Harris (Running Back)

Najee Harris remains a focal point of the Steelers’ offense, especially in short-yardage situations and the red zone. Bettors can expect to see Harris used heavily as a workhorse back, and his rushing yard props are likely to be set in the 70-90 yard range, depending on the matchup. Harris has shown the ability to consistently churn out yards, making the over on his rushing yards a solid bet against weaker run defenses. Another key prop to consider is Harris’ rushing touchdowns, as he is often the primary option near the goal line. Additionally, Harris is a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield, so betting on his receptions or receiving yards in games where Pittsburgh is expected to play from behind could provide value. His all-purpose yards props might offer good value if you expect him to be heavily involved in both the rushing and passing games.

George Pickens (Wide Receiver)

George Pickens enters the 2024-25 season as the Steelers’ top deep threat and most dynamic wide receiver. His ability to make big plays downfield makes him a key target for player prop bets on receiving yards and long receptions. Pickens is the type of player who can easily hit an over on a receiving yard prop with just a few deep completions, making him a high-upside pick for games against teams with vulnerable secondaries. Bettors should look for lines around 60-80 receiving yards, which he can surpass with a couple of explosive plays. Additionally, his touchdown props offer value, particularly in matchups where Pickett will likely air the ball out. Pickens’ chemistry with Pickett has continued to grow, so he could see more targets, boosting his chances to exceed reception and yardage totals.

Pat Freiermuth (Tight End)

Pat Freiermuth is a reliable red-zone target and a key piece of the Steelers’ passing game, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Bettors should focus on his touchdown props, as Freiermuth might become one of Wilson’s go-to options near the end zone. His receiving yardage totals might not be as high as the top wide receivers on the team, but his consistency on third downs and in the red zone makes him a good candidate to hit the over on receptions, especially in games where the Steelers are expected to be in passing situations. Freiermuth’s receiving yards props may range from 40-60 yards, and he is a strong bet in games where the Steelers face defenses that struggle to cover tight ends. Keep an eye on his touchdown props, as he is likely to see a good amount of red-zone looks.

Van Jefferson (Wide Receiver)

Jefferson is primarily a deep-threat receiver with the ability to stretch the field, and his receiving yard props are likely to reflect that high-variance style of play. Expect his lines to fall around 30-50 yards per game, but as a big-play receiver, he can hit the over on these props with just one or two receptions. Jefferson’s long reception props are also worth considering, especially in games where the Falcons’ offense is expected to throw deep against weaker secondaries. While he might not see as many targets as a primary receiver, Jefferson is an intriguing option for bets on long yardage plays or as a value pick in the touchdown market in the right matchups.

Steelers and NFL News, Everyday

Our team loves writing about the NFL, which is why our blog is filled with news, picks, and predictions all season. Stop by to find the our expert picks and coverage this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers Summary

The 2024-25 Pittsburgh Steelers offer plenty of promising betting opportunities, from leveraging Russell Wilson’s veteran leadership to exploiting their defense in low-scoring games. Understanding the team’s tendencies, key player performances, and betting trends is crucial for finding value throughout the season. The key takeaway here is that by staying informed and capitalizing on specific matchups and prop bets, you can significantly increase your chances of making profitable bets on the Steelers.

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