Roethlisberger is so competitive he often takes big hits, which is a good thing when he can keep drives alive by staying in the pocket to get a completion. However, it can sometimes backfire if it leads to injuries, and bettors must determine if Roethlisberger will be able to stay on the field in 2017.
The 2017 NFL regular season kicks off on Thursday, September 7 with the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. Super Bowl LII will be played on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
NFL Prop Odds at BookMaker.eu
How many starts will Ben Roethlisberger make for the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2017-18 NFL regular season?
Over 14.5 ( +110 )
Under 14.5 ( -140 )
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers are giving one minor injury to those who think Roethlisberger will be a mainstay on the field, but if he misses more than a lone game it will be a loss for those who chose the “over.” The “under” is the favorite as it is currently being wagered on at -140.
The line just came out, so it will be interesting to see which way it shifts in the coming weeks. Roethlisberger is back to full health now that it’s the offseason, but it only takes a tweak for this bet to become perilous for those wagering on a full season.
Why Roethlisberger Will Play More Than 14.5 Games In 2017
Roethlisberger has 13 full seasons under his belt, and in seven of them he has played in 15 or 16 games. That’s a good sign, since if those percentages hold the “over” would clearly be the better wager.
Roethlisberger also gets the benefit of playing on a good team with an impressive offensive line and an elite running game. With running back Le’Veon Bell in the fold, defenses will always have to be wary of him on play-action, which will give Roethlisberger extra time.
The Steelers are often winning late in games, which means they can go conservative and run the ball a lot. That will also help keep Roethlisberger healthy and upright. While there have been some health issues in the past, Roethlisberger has started at least 11 games in every season, and is known for how tough he is and how quickly he returns to the field in the face of serious injuries.
Why Roethlisberger Won’t Play In More Than 14.5 Games In 2017
While there is a case to be made that Roethlisberger will start in 15 or 16 games, it’s more likely that he finishes under. He is now 35 years old and has dealt with a variety of maladies throughout his career, and it gets harder to stay on the field as players get older.
Roethlisberger has spoken of retirement in the past few months, and while he’s going to play, he probably realizes that missing a regular season game or two isn’t a huge deal if it gives the Steelers a better chance at success down the road.
Roethlisberger has not started 15 games in each of the past two regular seasons and has missed the mark in three of the past five years overall.
There is one other thing that must be considered: The Steelers are good enough to be in contention for one of the top two seeds in the AFC in 2017. If they wrap up a certain playoff position heading into Week 17, it’s possible Roethlisberger sits to stay healthy heading into the postseason.
If that’s the case, only one other start would need to be missed for the “under” to be the correct call in the number of Roethlisberger’s regular season starts in 2017.
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