The Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet this Sunday for what should be an entertaining NFC vs. AFC battle at Heinz Field. Will the Seahawks win even without Russell Wilson? Or will the Steelers score a victory in front of their home crowd? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Seattle Seahawks vs Pittsburgh Steelers Regular Season Week 6 Game on October 17, 2021
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
When: Sunday, October 17, 2021, 8:20 PM ET
Line: Seattle Seahawks (+5.5) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5) – view all 2021 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks (+5.5)
Regular Season Record: 2-3
It’s Geno Smith time in Seattle. With Russell Wilson out for weeks to come because of an injury, the Seahawks will be turning the starting quarterback duties to Smith, who made an appearance in Week 5’s 26-17 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Smith managed to drive the Seahawks’ offense down the field for a touchdown and a field goal but also threw an interception that practically ended the Seahawks’ chances of beating LA. Nevertheless, Smith showed enough to inspire confidence in his ability to keep Seattle’s offense afloat while Wilson is out. Like Wilson, Smith is a dual-threat quarterback, so there wouldn’t be much of a departure from Pete Carroll’s system and major adjustments from the other Seattle skill position players. And it’s not like Smith is left without notable weapons to work with. He’ll have the pair of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett downfield. Running back Chris Carson might still not be ready because of a neck issue, but Alex Collins is a dependable running back who can deliver.
The Seahawks are 12-5 against the spread in their last 17 games as an underdog.
Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5)
Regular Season Record: 2-3
The Steelers are looking for consistency following their 27-19 home win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday that ended a three-game losing skid. Against the Broncos, Ben Roethlisberger had 253 passing yards and two touchdowns on 15/25 completions. The win came at a cost, though, as the Steelers lost wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury. But the Steelers receiving corps should be able to handle that loss. The tandem of Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson is good enough to make Seattle’s secondary feel the pressure. Plus, rookie running back Najee Harris has emerged as a do-it-all weapon on offense. Harris had 122 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against Denver. He also made two grabs for 72 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ defense, meanwhile, would definitely prefer facing Smith than Wilson, who will put a lower ceiling to Seattle’s offense. Pittsburgh is 10th in the league with 22.4 points allowed per contest.
The favorite in this matchup has gone 5-1 against the spread in the last six meetings.
Writer’s Prediction
The Steelers win, 27-17.
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