Steelers vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Raiders return home after suffering a tough 38-10 loss in Buffalo last weekend to fall to 1-1 on the season, both straight up and against the spread. The Steelers are coming a 26-22 upset win over Cleveland, and are vying for a fifth straight win in primetime.
Despite battling a rash of injuries, the Raiders have climbed to 2.5-point home favourites on the NFL Week 3 odds after the game opened as a pick ‘em. The Steelers have dipped to +125 on the moneyline, and the total has also declined to 43 since opening at 44.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday night’s matchup marks a second straight meeting between these teams in primetime and the third time they have faced each other in as many seasons. The Steelers escaped with a 13-10 win when they hosted the Raiders last season in a Saturday night matchup on Christmas Eve. However, the Raiders have historically dominated when playing Pittsburgh, winning six of nine dates since 2004 and covering in seven of those contests including a 26-17 victory in Pittsburgh in September 2021. The Steelers’ victory last season also marked the first time they had defeated the Raiders in four all-time meetings under the lights. The UNDER has paid out in each of their past three matchups. However, the total has reached 47 or higher in three of their four previous primetime meetings.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Stung by their lopsided 30-7 loss to San Francisco in Week 1, the Steelers produced an uninspired start in last weekend’s date with Cleveland, but leveraged big defensive performances to claim a 26-22 win and even their straight up and against the spread records at 1-1. Alex Highsmith’s 30-yard pick-six opened the game’s scoring, and after twice letting the lead slip away, the Steelers needed TJ Watt’s 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter seal the win.
Kenny Pickett tossed an interception on just his third pass of the game, but Cleveland failed to convert on a subsequent field goal attempt. Overall, the Steelers pivot struggled to move the sticks until connected on a 71-yard scoring pass to George Pickens midway through the second quarter. However, Pickett failed to lead the Steelers inside the Browns 30-yard line the rest of the way, finishing the day with just 22 yards on unimpressive 15-for-30 passing. The Steelers backfield has yet to score while compiling just 96 total rushing yards, and injuries are a concern, with defenders Minkah Fitzpatrick and Larry Ogunjobi, receiver / kick returner Gunner Olszewski among those on the Wednesday injury report.
Las Vegas Raiders
Jimmy Garoppolo enjoyed a triumphant Raiders debut in Week 1, teaming up with receiver Jakobi Meyers on a pair of scoring passes to lead the Raiders to a 17-16 upset victory in Denver. Jimmy G led the Raiders on a 75-yard scoring drive to start last weekend’s date with the Bills, but struggled badly the rest of the way. Las Vegas turned over the ball on two of their three possessions after the half, and recorded just 240 total yards on the day.
Meyers’ availability for Sunday night is far from certain. Davante Adams, who caught Garoppolo’s lone scoring pass last weekend, is also dealing with a concussion and his status will depend on how he responds in concussion protocol on game day. With both these teams struggling with injury and anemic offence, it is shaping up to be another low-scoring affair.
PIT
LV