Quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning are often compared simply because both were picked at the top of the 2004 NFL Draft. The selections have panned out well for the Steelers and Giants; both quarterbacks might even end up in the Hall of Fame one day. But for now, they’ll square off against each other in a key Week 13 matchup.
Game of the Week
New York Giants @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Favourite: Steelers -6
The Giants have won six straight games, with their most recent victory coming against the Cleveland Browns. Eli Manning threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the 27-13 victory. While there’s no doubt that the Giants are on a roll, their last three opponents are a combined 5-28-1, so the Steelers will be a step up in competition.
The Steelers are 6-5 SU and ATS after a 28-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 221 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers are just 3-2 at home this season, but their two losses at Heinz Field came against the 9-2 New England Patriots and 10-1 Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers average 29.8 points per game at home compared to 20.3 on the road.
The Giants are 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS against the Steelers, and both teams need a win to stay in the playoff hunt.
Game with the Biggest Spread
Los Angeles Rams @ New England Patriots
Favourite: Patriots (Odds Pending)
Although the line is off the board for now, the Rams will be the biggest underdog of the week. Despite 214 yards and three touchdowns from QB Jared Goff, the Rams were thumped 49-21 last week in New Orleans. They’ve gone from a 3-1 start to 4-7, losing six of their last seven games.
The Patriots are 9-2 after edging the New York Jets 22-17 last Sunday on the road. But injuries to Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman have resulted in the line being temporarily moved off the board. The trio missed practice on Wednesday.
The Patriots are 4-1 SU and ATS (four straight wins, including Super Bowl XXXVI) in their last five games against the Rams.
Game with the Smallest Spread
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
Favourite: Bears -1.5
The 49ers are 1-10 SU (3-8 ATS) after a 31-24 loss in Miami. They’ve struggled mightily this season, but their offense seems to have come to life of late. QB Colin Kaepernick produced 409 yards last week. The issue is their defense, which has given up at least 30 points in six of their last seven games.
Meanwhile, the Bears are 2-9 SU (4-7 ATS) after a 27-21 home loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Bears looked decent under QB Matt Barkley. They were in the red zone at the end of the game, well positioned to steal the win from Tennessee. Both teams are for positioning in the 2017 NFL Draft, which is why the matchup has one of the lowest totals (43.5) this week.
*Odds as of December 1, 2016