Sunday, December 11, 2016

Ralph Wilson Stadium

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The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium to play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 11, 2016. The opening line for this game has Pittsburgh as 1.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 47.5. The Steelers are 7-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 3-9-0. The Bills have an over/under record of 9-3-0 and they are 5-7-0 against the spread.

Ben Roethlisberger finished with 289 yards through the air for Pittsburgh last week. He completed 24 passes out of 36 attempts for a 67% completion percentage. The Steelers were led in rushing by Le'Veon Bell, who finished with 118 yards on 29 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 4 yards per carry. Ladarius Green was the team leader in receiving with a total of 110 yards and 6 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 18 yards per reception. As a team in that game Pittsburgh got a total of 20 first downs. Of those first downs, 5 came on the ground while 15 came through the air. They ran 69 total plays for 389 yards for the game. The Steelers ran for 117 yards on 30 attempts.

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Tyrod Taylor finished with 191 yards passing for Buffalo last week. He went 18 for 35, resulting in a 51% completion percentage. The Bills were led on the ground by LeSean McCoy, who finished with 130 yards on 17 carries. He ended the game with an average of 8 yards per rush. McCoy led the team in receiving with 61 yards and 7 catches. He finished the game with an average of 9 yards per reception. Buffalo had 24 first downs total. 11 came from running the ball and 12 came from a pass. They ran 69 total plays for 382 yards for the contest. The Bills ran for 212 yards on 30 carries as a team.

Pittsburgh scores 24 points per game on offense this season, which ranks 12th in the NFL. In the passing department, they average 25 passes on 38 attempts for a 66% completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 265 yards per game through the air as well, which ranks them 8th in the league. The Steelers run for an average of 102 yards per game on 24 attempts for an average of 4.3 yards per carry. That ranks them 18th in the league. They also run 64 plays per contest and average 5.7 yards per play for an average of 367 yards per game, ranking their offense 11th overall this season. The Steelers average 20 first downs per game which ranks them 15th in the NFL. They accumulate 69.2 penalty yards per game via 7.2 penalties, which ranks 7th in the league.

Pittsburgh allows 256 passing yards per game, ranking 19th, and they allow 20 points per contest on defense, which ranks 7th. They give up 24 completions on 38 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 63%. The Steelers allow 92 rushing yards per game on 22 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per carry, which ranks their rush defense 6th in the NFL. Pittsburgh allows 348 total yards per game including 5.6 yards per play, which ranks their overall defense 14th in terms of yards per game. They get flagged for 6.8 penalties for 54.7 yards per game, ranking them 13th among NFL teams.

Buffalo averages 25 points per game this season on offense, which ranks them 9th in the league. In the passing department, they complete 18 passes per game on 30 attempts for a 60% completion percentage. They throw for 182 yards through the air per game, ranking them 32nd. The Bills run for an average of 162 yards per game on 30 attempts for an average of 5.4 yards per carry this season, which ranks them 1st on the ground. They also run 62 plays per game and average 5.5 yards per play for a total of 343 yards per game, ranking them 19th in the league on offense. The Bills get an average of 20 first downs per game, which ranks 14th. They average 69.8 penalty yards per game via 7.9 penalties, ranking them 5th in the NFL.

Buffalo allows an average of 230 passing yards per game, which ranks 8th in the league. Their defense overall allows 23 points per contest, which has them ranked 17th. They give up 20 completions on 33 attempts for a completion percentage of 61% per game. The Bills allow 116 rushing yards per contest on 28 carries for a 4.1 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 24th in the NFL. Buffalo allows 347 total yards per game for an average of 5.5 yards per play, which ranks 12th in the league. They force 7.7 penalties for 63.2 yards in each contest, ranking 28th.

Pittsburgh Betting Trends

Pittsburgh is 3-9-0 against the over/under this season

Pittsburgh has an ATS record of 7-5-0 this season

Buffalo Betting Trends

Buffalo is 9-3-0 against the over/under this season

Buffalo has an ATS record of 5-7-0 this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh

12/06/16 DT Javon Hargrave Concussion injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
12/04/16 K Chris Boswell Abdominal "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
12/04/16 WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Foot "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
12/04/16 RB DeAngelo Williams Knee "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
12/04/16 TE Xavier Grimble Quad "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
11/19/16 DE Cameron Heyward Pectoral IR
11/19/16 WR Markus Wheaton Shoulder IR
11/15/16 LB Steven Johnson Ankle IR
11/08/16 C Cody Wallace Knee IR
10/08/16 T Ryan Harris Shin IR
10/08/16 CB Senquez Golson Foot IR
08/17/16 QB Bruce Gradkowski Hamstring IR
08/11/16 WR Martavis Bryant Suspension out for season

Buffalo

12/06/16 WR Percy Harvin Migraine out for season
12/04/16 TE Charles Clay Personal "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
12/04/16 WR Robert Woods Knee "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
12/04/16 CB Ronald Darby Concussion "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
11/30/16 DT Corbin Bryant Shoulder IR
11/30/16 WR Walter Powell Ankle IR
11/29/16 T Seantrel Henderson Suspension expected to miss 10 games
11/26/16 S Robert Blanton Foot IR
11/15/16 C Eric Wood Leg IR
11/01/16 S Aaron Williams Head IR
10/14/16 WR Greg Salas Groin IR
09/02/16 TE Chris Gragg Knee IR
09/02/16 LB IK Enemkpali Knee IR
09/01/16 LB Reggie Ragland Knee IR
08/31/16 WR Kolby Listenbee Groin PUP
08/31/16 WR Marcus Easley Knee PUP

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -1.5

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