A rare interconference matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings kicks off the Week 14 betting slate on Thursday Night Football. Looking to erase the sting of becoming the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions, the Vikings need a win to get back in the NFC playoff picture. They’ve dropped two in a row and all seven of their losses this season have been by one score. The Steelers improved their playoff chances with a win over AFC North leading Baltimore on Sunday ending a two-game losing streak and three-game winless skid. Minnesota surfaced as a 3.5-point favorite in the first meeting between the clubs since the 2017 season.
This NFL regular season Week 14 matchup will take place on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 8:20 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN and will be televised on FOX and NFL Network.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5
Minnesota Vikings -3.5
Total 45
Odds Analysis
Even though they are two games under .500 and have lost two straight and four of their past six, the Vikings hit the board as a 3.5-point home favorite. With a few breaks here and there the Vikings could easily be among the top teams in the NFC. All seven of their losses have been by eight points or less and Sunday’s 29-27 setback in Detroit was their fourth by a field goal or less. They have been involved in some high-scoring affairs with each of the last three games all cashing the OVER. The Steelers put an end to their own miserable run with a stout effort to beat Baltimore 20-19, keeping them alive in the playoff hunt and for the NFC North crown. Following their tie with Detroit, the Steelers dropped consecutive road games to the Chargers and Bengals surrendering 41 points in each game.
Key Injury
Minnesota’s seventh-ranked passing attack sustained a blow when Adam Thielen was injured early in Sunday’s game with the Lions. He reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain leaving his availability for Thursday’s game in doubt. One of the best receivers over the past several years, Thielen was enjoying another strong campaign, though the numbers have diminished with Justin Jefferson becoming the main target of Kirk Cousins. Still, Thielen is second on the team with 64 receptions and 686 receiving yards. His value to the offense comes around the goal line where he’s second in the NFL with 10 touchdown catches. The Vikings felt his absence Sunday failing to convert two first quarter trips inside the red zone instead settling for field goals. Leaving points on the field proved costly in the loss.
Player to Watch
The Steelers can certainly be disruptive for opposing quarterbacks thanks to their league-leading 37 sacks. Though the season numbers are average to below average on that side of the football, they have been good getting to the QB and rank 14th in pass defense. They harassed Lamar Jackson on Sunday totaling seven sacks with T.J. Watt accounting for 3.5 of the total to take over the NFL lead with 16 sacks on the year. Watt has at least one sack in eight of the 10 games he’s played and five times he’s recorded at least two sacks. Cameron Heyward has 6.5 sacks and Chris Wormley doubled his season total with 2.5 sacks on Sunday. Part of Minnesota’s success for the seventh-ranked pass offense is the ability to protect Cousins. The Vikings have allowed just 18 sacks this season, the third-fewest in the NFL.
Free ATS Pick
The Steelers haven’t been the explosive team offensively we’ve seen in years past, but they have a chance to put up some big numbers against a unit that’s struggled all season and just let the Lions off the hook on Sunday. The Vikings have allowed the most points in the NFL this season by a wide margin in the final two minutes of any half. And the other 56 minutes haven’t been much better. They were missing key defenders Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Patrick Peterson last week and could be without all three again. That gives plenty of value to the OVER on a number that to me seems low.
NFL Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5 / OVER 45
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