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Editor’s note: The odds below are courtesy of Heavy’s partners at OddsShark. Click here for more NFL odds and betting info at OddsShark.com.
The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Pittsburgh is coming off a narrow victory in the Wild Card round against the Bengals. Denver is the number one seed in the AFC and had a bye for the first round of the playoffs.
Peyton Manning will start for the Broncos for the first time in months after sustaining injuries early in the season. The Steelers will be missing star receiver Antonio Brown for the game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is battling a shoulder injury but is expected to play.
According to OddsShark, the Broncos are favored by 7.5 points. The line has continued to move towards the Broncos throughout the week due in part to the injuries the Steelers are battling. The over-under is set at 40.5.
The Steelers are 8-5-4 this season against the spread while the Broncos are 7-7-2.
The two teams faced each other less than a month ago. Pittsburgh won the matchup 34-27, but it was the Broncos that ended up winning the AFC in the regular season.
It is challenging to know what to expect at the quarterback position in this game. Manning will play his first full game since missing extended time, and Roethlisberger is pushing through injuries to play. Each quarterback’s performance will greatly impact their team’s chances of winning the game.
Denver’s defense will be the best unit on the field, and the Broncos controlled the earlier matchup between the two teams before blowing a large lead late in the game.
We like Pittsburgh to keep the game close, but Denver’s defense gives the Broncos a slight edge in the game setting up another duel against Brady’s Patriots.
Heavy’s Pick: Denver Broncos 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 24. Steelers +7.5. Over the point total.
