After two disappointing performances to start the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers might be receiving their fair share of criticism from the fans and the media, but it would appear they haven’t lost the faith of the bookmakers quite yet. Set to face one of the league’s seven remaining undefeated teams in Week 3, the Steelers still find themselves favorites for their away date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - for now.
NFL Week 3 Opening Lines (@betonline_ag):
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) September 17, 2018
NYJ @ CLE -3
IND @ PHI -6
CIN @ CAR -3
TEN @ JAX -6.5
NO @ ATL -3
DEN @ BAL -5
OAK @ MIA -3.5
GB @ WAS +3
BUF @ MIN -16.5
SF @ KC -6
LAC @ LAR -7
CHI @ ARI +4.5
DAL @ SEA -3
NE @ DET +6.5
PIT @ TB +2.5
A seemingly generous opening line of 2.5 points has generally disappeared as of Tuesday morning, with most online providers offering a range of spreads from -1 to -2 points at the time of this writing. Given the Steelers' inability to stop anyone from scoring lately, it should come as no surprise to learn that an initial totals position of 49.5 points has already seen enough action to move the line to 53.5 points too.
An early moneyline offering of -167 to +130 has been replaced by a consensus price of -125 to +105, with most sportsbooks and anyone looking to back Pittsburgh in Week 3 advised to wait a few days to see how much further the lines drift before placing any wagers.
Those interested in more long-term bets will find the Steelers available at 16/1 for Super Bowl glory in 2018, a far cry from the 8/1 being offered before the year began.
Updated odds to win Super Bowl LIII (@BovadaOfficial):
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) September 17, 2018
NE/LAR +650
JAX/MIN +900
GB/KC/PHI +1200
PIT +1600
ATL/NO +1800
LAC +2000
SF +2800
BAL/CAR/DAL +3300
DEN/TB +3300
CIN/HOU +4000
CHI/MIA/TEN +5000
IND/SEA/WSH +6600
NYG/OAK +8000
DET 100/1
CLE/NYJ 125/1
ARI 250/1
BUF 500/1
Anyone looking to cash in on the drama surrounding the team might be interested in a prop bet based on Antonio Brown’s future with the team following his ill-advised outburst on social media on Monday.
Will Antonio Brown be traded before November 14th 2018? (@BovadaOfficial):
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) September 17, 2018
Yes +1200
No -7500 pic.twitter.com/br2CnrMDRT
Pittsburgh has only lost twice to the Buccaneers in team history dating back to 1976, and currently holds an 8-2 record against them. The last time the two teams met in 2014, Tampa Bay won 27-24.