Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4 SU, 5-3-2 ATS) at Seattle Seahawks (5-5 SU, 3-6-1 ATS)
NFL Week 12
Date/Time: November 29, 2015 4:25PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA.
TV: FOX
by WILSON, NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: PITT +4/SEA -4
Over/Under Total: 44.5
The Seattle Seahawks looked like the Seattle team who won a Super Bowl a couple years ago and then some as the beat the San Francisco 49ers in Seattle last week 29-13. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson continued to do what hes done all yearscramble and make plays when he needs them. Even though the Hawks have not been as successful this year with closing out games, they managed to keep it together against a less-than-stellar 49er team who benched QB Colin Kaepernick for backup Gabbert.
On the other side of the field this weekend will be the famed Pittsburgh Steelers who enter this contest with a 6-4 record and very much alive in the playoff hunt. However, the road has been tough on Ben (see what I did there). Big Ben has just one touchdown and two interceptions on the road this season but to his credit hes been injured too. A healthy Ben Roethlisberger can do some serious damage to defenses.
For the Steelers chances this weekend I believe Big Ben will dictate his teams fate as usualif Ben is onthe team is on! He simply has too many weapons at his disposal even with the loss of starting RB LeVeon Bell (Williams is no Bell but has proved he can get it done) and the receiving crew Brown, Bryant, Heyward-bey, and TE Miller just to mention a few is enough fire power to press the Legend of Whom? Can Seattles defense step up for a big game at home against arguably one the NFLs best offensive attacks?.
All Thomas Rawls did was fill in for an injured Marshawn Lynch and go nuts for 209 yards rushing 9even against the weak 49ersthats impressive!) Geez, how will Rawls (who will likely start again as Lynch is doubtful to go) respond in his just fifth total start? Its ironic how both teams are missing their starting RBs but it is exciting to watch these guys run and make the best of their opportunities. I think Seattle will need to use Jimmy Graham like Ive suggested before but I have to keep at it until they do! Graham was picked up to help the Hawks offense and not just be a blocker down fielduse the dude already! If Russell Wilson does his thing with the pump fake and fleet of foot scrambling he can cause havoc for the Steelers D but he will need some protection against a strong Steelers defensive front. The Steelers have the ability to stuff the run and their LBs and secondary have been tough this midseason.
Perhaps the key matchup in this game will be the down-field play of Pitts WR Antonio Brown versus Seattles secondary stud Richard Sherman. Sherman has been moved away from his traditional side of the field this season to cover other teams top wide receivers which have effected this defense at time for better or worseit just depends on who is covering. I dont think many people predicted that this Seattle team would be fighting for a wildcard spot after such a successful past two seasons but this is the NFL and anything is possible. This game should be a game of the week and certainly takes the lead over the patriots/Broncos matchup now that Manning is hurting and out.
The Seattle Seahawks must win this game to keep the momentum going after their win last week and considering they have a tough end-of-season schedule (Vikings, Ravens, Browns, Rams, and Cardinals) after this week, they definitely need to take care of business. But who will show up for these Hawks? The so-so offensive chug-alongs, or the Thomas Rawls show and his 200 plus rushing yards which will open up the air attack? Either way the Hawks know this is a primetime showdown with the boys from Steel town! As good as the Hawks are at home I still like the Steelers to come into the Pacific Northwest and put a solid game plan to action behind Big Ben and the rest of the crew. I like the Steelers to cover the points! Luck to ya.
WILSONs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Pittsburgh +4
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