The New England Patriots are 4-0 straight up and 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four games against the Pittsburgh Steelers. First place in the AFC will be on the line as the Patriots try to extend their winning streak over the Steelers to five this Sunday afternoon.
Patriots vs. Steelers 2017 odds: New England road favorite in key AFC matchup
The New England Patriots will try to bounce back from a bad loss with a big win in Pittsburgh as road betting favorites against the Steelers.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
New England is a 3-point road favorite in Pittsburgh at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The Patriots are 41-6 SU in their last 47 games played in the month of December.
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
When: Sunday, Dec. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
Betting Line / Total: New England -3 / 53 Points
New England Patriots
The Patriots cruised into last Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins as one of the league’s hottest teams. New England was 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS over its last eight games, 6-0 ATS over its last six, and had won each of its previous four games by at least 17 points, including a 35-17 win over the Dolphins.
But as 10.5-point road favorites on Monday, the Patriots simply didn’t have it, suffering one of the most shocking losses of the season in a 27-20 stunner.
Losses have historically served as a great motivator under head coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots are 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six games coming off a loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh continued its trend of close games last Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, winning by a field goal or less for the fourth time in the team’s last five games.
But the Steelers keep ending up on the right side of these nail-biters and now own the best record in the AFC at 11-2. With a win at home on Sunday, the Steelers could all but lock up the top seed in the AFC. The Steelers are 10-6 SU and 11-3-2 ATS in their last 16 games as a home underdog.
Sunday’s total is set at 53 points. The OVER is 4-0 in Pittsburgh’s last four games, according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
In a generally weak year in the AFC, Pittsburgh and New England have separated from the pack as the two best teams in the conference — and favorites on the odds to win Super Bowl 52. The winner of this game will control its destiny for the top spot in the AFC and the home field throughout the postseason until the Super Bowl that goes with it.
For more info, picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the new OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes, or check it out at OddsShark.libsyn.com.
