Ben Roethlisberger is expected back for the Steelers, but do not expect a scoring barrage vs. the Raiders. Instead, look for Pittsburgh to stay conservative with eyes toward next week.
Ben Roethlisberger is scheduled to return to the starting lineup for the Pittsburgh Steelers today after missing last week's overtime loss in Baltimore with a concussion.
The Oakland Raiders are improved offensively with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback and with top linemen Robert Gallery back in the lineup after missing six games. Gallery is by far the Raiders' best run blocker and Oakland averaged just 3.6 ypr in the six games he missed while averaging 4.7 ypr in the five games he's played.
My math model still favors Pittsburgh by 14 points even with Oakland's improvements, but the Steelers apply to a negative 38-88-2 ATS big favorite situation and last week's loss does not mean that the Steelers are going to come into this game ready to kick ass. More than likely they'll play this game not to lose rather than to win big.
In fact, home favorites of more than 13 points coming off a loss the previous week are just 13-34-2 ATS. I'll lean with the Raiders plus the big points this week after going against them last week in Dallas.
Pittsburgh 27, Oakland 16
Free Pick: Oakland Raiders +14½ (-110)
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