The Seahawks get another chance to beat a team with a winning record and their playoff hopes in the NFC may hinge on their ability to finally secure a win. Seattle has dominated lesser competition with its five victories against teams with a combined 13-27 record entering Week 12 action.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks -4
Pittsburgh Steelers +4
Over/Under 44
ODDS ANALYSIS
The bad news for Seahawks backers is their inability to string together solid performances at the betting window. Seattle, who covered the -14 spread against San Francisco last week, is 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games coming off an ATS win. The line was wagered to Seattle -3.5.
KEY INJURIES
James Harrison - Is listed as questionable with a knee injury suffered in Pittsburgh's last game before the bye. He returned to practice this week in a limited capacity. The Steelers used the off week to get tight end Matt Spaeth and linebacker Terence Garvin back to full practice participants.
Marshawn Lynch - Underwent surgery for a sports hernia and could be out for the remainder of the regular season. Thomas Rawls, who ran for 209 yards against the 49ers, will continue in the starting role with Fred Jackson as the backup.
KEY MISMATCH
Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a bye week to let his sprained foot heal, and he'll need every ounce of mobility he can muster. Seattle doesn't like to blitz heavily, but the Seahawks must get to Big Ben early and often due to mismatches downfield. Pittsburgh will attack the cornerback opposite Richard Sherman. Seattle coach Pete Carroll benched Cary Williams in the middle of the Seahawks' victory over San Francisco. DeShawn Shead took over for Williams and Marcus Burley replaced Shead as the slot corner in the nickel package.The Steelers have the offensive personnel to test whoever plays opposite Sherman. If Shead is the new starter and Antonio Brown is followed by Sherman, that will leave Martavis Bryant on Shead and Markus Wheaton in the slot against Burley. Even if Sherman does not follow Brown and covers the taller and more physical Bryant, that would leave Brown to go against Shead and/or Burley. Either way, there are matchups the Steelers should be able to win provided the offensive line can protect Roethlisberger.
KEY STAT
35.0 - Seattle's quarterbacks sacks allowed. The Seahawks have given up the second-most sacks in the NFL and will attempt to slow down a Pittsburgh defense that has accumulated 28 sacks.
BETTING ANGLE
After a wild 10 games defined by close calls, injuries and suspensions, the Steelers are ready to maximize their offensive potential and fulfill the lofty goals set this preseason. The Steelers eyed 30 points per game entering the year, and injuries to Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell, and Bryant's four-game suspension are all factors that held Pittsburgh back. The Steelers are fifth in the NFL in yards but tied for 12th in points, nearly four points lower than last season. A healthy Roethlisberger could be the difference. He's averaging 8.94 yards per pass attempt, second only to Carson Palmer despite playing just three full games with Bryant and four full quarters with Bell, who's out for the year after undergoing knee surgery.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Steelers were able to get a little healthier during their bye week. Roethlisberger needed the time off to continue to heal a foot injury after he came off the bench to lead his team to a 30-9 home victory against the Browns two weeks ago. Seattle is in must-win mode more than Beast Mode now with Lynch sidelined. But the team has a more-than-capable backup in Rawls, who had a career-high 209 yards on 30 carries last week against the 49ers. Rawls also had three catches for 46 yards and scored two touchdowns. The Seahawks need consistent production from the running game to take pressure off quarterback Russell Wilson, who completed 24 of 29 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns, last week. That would not have been possible without Rawls. Seattle's D had a confidence-building effort against the Niners and will do enough to slow down the Steelers for a cover home win.
Seattle 28, Pittsburgh 20
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