Expert Predictions: Who the experts are picking in Steelers vs. Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearly a touchdown underdog in the game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. Although fans are evenly split on who will emerge victorious in this game, the experts might be singing a different tune when they make their weekly picks.

Let's take a look at who the "experts" like in this Thursday night matchup between the Steelers and Patriots:

The fine folks here at SB Nation are certainly knowledgeable about the NFL, and if their knowledge can somehow predict the future, the Steelers are in trouble. In the 8-person panel, every single member thinks the Patriots will win their home opener and send the Steelers back to Pittsburgh 0-1.

This isn't just an SB Nation theme though. At CBSSports.com, only Pete Prisco believes the Steelers will win on Thursday night. Everyone else on the panel is seeing nothing but blue, grey and red as they're taking the Patriots.

At FoxSports.com, it was another clean sweep for the Patriots. Maybe the losses of Le'Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Maurkice Pouncey are viewed as too much to overcome for a team still searching for answers, and the Steelers seem to invite more questions than conclusions.

When the Steelers need a pick, there is always one place they can turn to get it, and that is from a former player with the last name Hoge who works for ESPN. Merril pulled through again, representing his Black-and-Gold roots, but being the only expert to pick the Steelers over the Patriots on opening night.

At NFLPickWatch.com, a website which reports every expert pick from across the worldwide web, 94 percent of those who are making picks are selecting the Patriots. The Steelers are clearly underdogs going into this game, and with the toughest schedule in the NFL, there's a chance the Steelers will be playing this role on more than one occasion. As to who comes out victorious on Thursday night, the Steelers may not be favored, but stranger things have happened.