49ers vs. Steelers Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Losers in seven of their first 10 games last season, the Steelers roared to life down the stretch, winning six of their final seven outings including each of their final four games. The 49ers emerged as an NFC powerhouse last season while closing out their regular season schedule with 10 straight wins, but will be looking to rebound from their stunning 31-7 loss to Philadelphia in last season’s NFC Championship game.
The 49ers arrive in Pittsburgh pegged as diminished 2.5-point favourites after opening as 3-point chalk, and the total has settled back to its opening position at 41 after vaulting to 42 earlier in the week.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Acrisure Stadium marks the first meeting between these teams since 2019, and the Niners’ first visit to Pittsburgh since 2015. The home team has enjoyed steady success in head-to-head action, earning outright victories in five straight contests, with the Steelers rolling to an easy 43-18 win the last time the 49ers visited Pittsburgh almost eight years ago. The Steelers also hold an edge at the sportsbooks, covering in four of six dates with San Francisco, but are winless in their past two matchups with the Niners while pegged as home underdogs.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will have Brock Purdy back under centre when they hit the gridiron for Sunday’s contest. The 23-year-old emerged as the team’s starting quarterback midway through last season after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were sidelined by season-ending injuries. And after tossing 16 total touchdowns and topping 2000 passing yards while leading the team to the NFC Championship game, the Niners felt confident enough to part ways with both Lance and Jimmy G while handing backup duties to Sam Darnold.
The Niners kick off the regular season after producing middling results in NFL preseason action, compiling a 1-2 record including lopsided losses to Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Chargers. The squad also faces injury concerns as they open their season opener. Most notably, tight end George Kittle is listed as questionable after missing practice this week due to a groin injury. Kittle led the team with 11 scoring catches last season, and with limited options on the depth chart, his absence could open the door for a promising rookie like Brayden Willis, who starred at Oklahoma a year ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers failed to qualify for the NFL playoffs last season for the third time in five years, but after enjoy a solid stretch run and following up by going undefeated in NFL preseason action, hopes are high in Steeltown as the new campaign gets underway. Apart from the addition of veteran receiver Allen Robinson II, the Steelers made no massive personnel changes to their offence during the offseason.
Kenny Pickett returns as the team’s undisputed starting quarterback after enduring somewhat of a roller coaster rookie campaign that ended with the 25-year-old leading the team to victory in five of his final six starts. However, much more offensive production will be expected out of the former Pittsburgh Panthers star, who connected on just seven scoring passes against nine picks in 13 game appearances. Indeed, this offence has nowhere to go but up after scoring just 12 total passing touchdowns in all of last season.
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PIT