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New York Giants v. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Betting Odds

Written by Brad Marchetti

New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers week 8 match-up will be a battle in the trenches to keep the QB’s jersey clean. The Pittsburgh Steelers leaky O-line will square off against a fierce Giants D-line that will look to level Big Ben. Giants franchise QB Eli Manning will have the daunting task of facing a Steelers 3-4 set that has amassed 25.0 sacks of their own. Eli’s protection has been much better but they will be playing this game in a hectic environment in Pittsburgh. Both of these top-tier teams will be juiced up and ready to go after bye weeks. The NFL betting odds for the New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers match-up is Pittsburgh -3.

New York will try to get after Big Ben early and get the Steelers to play from behind. Roethlisberger has some extra motivation to play hard when he airs the ball out against 2004 draft mate Eli Manning. “There’s always that little thing inside of you that wants to be the best, so I’ve got to get another Super Bowl before he does,” Roethlisberger said. Ben could be playing this game with a short deck with starting RB Willie Parker expected to be out. Parker’s replacement Mewelde Moore (306 Total YDS 5.2 YPC 3 TD) is a shifty, elusive runner with pass-catching skills. The Giants rush defense has been stingy allowing only 84.5 yards per game and only 2 TD’s. New York’s corners are weak but their pass-rush has covered them for the most part. The Steelers could be without starting tackle Marvel Smith who is listed as questionable with a groin injury and back problems. The NFL betting odds OVER\UNDER for the New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers match-up is at 42.5 points.

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2nd ranked defense will have to deal with Giants top ranked rushing offense averaging 169.7 yards. In the passing game, New York has excellent pass-protection and will try and go after a Steelers secondary allowing a 73.0 passer rating. Eli Manning (89.1 passer rating) has some dangerous receiving weapons in Steve Smith (26 Rec.), 6′3″ Amani Toomer and 6′5″ Plaxico Burress. Plaxico will have some extra emotional fire burning playing against his former team. The Giants have not had good chemistry in the passing game in the last two games despite their talent. The Steelers have some injury problems in the secondary with All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu listed as questionable with a concussion injury. Polamalu, along with starting CB Bryant McFadden, and road-grading NT Casey Hampton, could all miss this game.

The Steelers are starting a rocky stretch of schedule that starts with the Super Bowl champion NY Giants. Big Ben will need to hold the ball tight when the heat comes from a torrid Giants pass-rush. Eli Manning will need to regain the timing he had with his wideouts early in the season. The NFL betting odds MONEYLINE for the New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers match-up is at Pittsburgh -146 to -154.

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