Both the Steelers and Saints will look to secure their first win of the exhibition season on Friday night when they lock horns in the bayou. These teams check in a combined 1-12 SU over their last 13 preseason games, so it’s tough to sell either Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin or New Orleans head coach Sean Payton in this Week 3 spot with neither going all out to tally wins in the exhibition season.
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will be the site for this Week 3 preseason matchup between the Steelers and Saints on Friday, August 26, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET.
Odds Analysis
The Steelers have been short home chalks in their first two home games of the preseason, while the Saints have been underdogs of three or less in their two games played in the visitor’s role. With that the case, it’s likely this game goes off the betting board at a pick ‘em or one side favored by a point or two. Neither offense has found its way either, so a suppressed total is likely to be released by oddsmakers even though each will likely be amongst the league’s scoring leaders in the regular season.
Quarterback Rotation
Ben Roethlisberger didn’t see much action in training camp and is yet to take a single snap through the Steelers first two exhibition games. Upper management is doing everything in its power to minimize his workload and extend his playing career as long as possible.
With Pittsburgh signing Bryn Renner after getting shutout against Philadelphia, it’s likely Big Ben doesn’t see the field this week either. Look for Landry Jones to get a bulk of the snaps as he looks to stop throwing interceptions followed by Dustin Vaughan and possibly Renner.
Drew Brees has thrown a total of nine passes in the preseason and completed six of them with no touchdowns and one interception. He was limited in Week 3 last preseason, so it’s highly likely the Saints field general once again makes a brief appearance before giving way to the backups.
Luke McCown has been the better of the two in completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 261 yards and a 1:1 TD/INT ratio against the Patriots and Texans. Second-year backup Garrett Grayson has only completed 14 of 31 passes for 183 yards and thrown a pair of interceptions. If live betting this game, you’d have to feel better about the Saints chances with McCown under center.
Coaching History
Neither of these head coaches gives a darn about the exhibition season.
Mike Tomlin sits two games over .500 in his career at 21-19, but most of those wins came earlier when he first took over the reins in the Steel City. The Steelers have gone 0-4, 1-3 and 1-4 the last three seasons under his watch, and have failed to win or cover each of their last seven preseason road games.
Lifetime in the exhibition season, Sean Payton checks in 21-22 SU and saw his squad lose all four preseason games a year ago. He’s 0-2 SU and ATS in 2016, but has excelled a ton in Week 3 where he’s gone a money-making 8-2 SU for those attacking the preseason betting lines the last 10 seasons.
Quick Pick
The Saints have accrued just one interception through their first two preseason games, so if Landry Jones continues throwing pigskins to opposing players, it’s safe to say his days as Big Ben’s backup are numbered.
I like what I’ve seen out of McCown the last few preseasons as he looks extremely comfortable running the Saints vaunted attack. Even if Brees doesn’t go or is limited, I’m much more confident in backing the home team on the reduced spread. Especially with Tomlin not giving a you know what about the exhibition season, and Payton normally coming out on top in his team’s dress rehearsals for the regular season.
NFL Odds: Saints 33, Steelers 24
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