New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/16/2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Heinz Field

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New England Patriots head to Heinz Field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New England as 1 point favorites. The total has been set at 49.

The Patriots are 8-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 5-8-0. The Steelers are 6-6-1 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-6-0.

Valuable New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots are 5-8-0 against the over/under

The New England Patriots are 8-5-0 against the spread

Important Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-6-0 against the over/under

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-6-1 against the spread

Key New England Patriots Injuries

12/09/18 TE Dwayne Allen Knee is questionable Sunday vs Pittsburgh
11/06/18 C Brian Schwenke Foot IR
10/31/18 DB Eric Rowe Groin IR
09/26/18 LB Ja'Whaun Bentley Undisclosed IR
09/12/18 RB Jeremy Hill Knee IR
09/04/18 WR Braxton Berrios Undisclosed IR
09/04/18 LB Christian Sam Undisclosed IR
09/04/18 T Isaiah Wynn Achilles IR
09/04/18 TE Ryan Izzo Ankle IR
09/04/18 OL Ulrick John Foot IR

Key Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries

12/10/18 QB Ben Roethlisberger Ribs is probable Sunday vs New England
12/10/18 RB James Conner Foot is upgraded to questionable Sunday vs New England
12/09/18 T Marcus Gilbert Knee is questionable Sunday vs New England
12/04/18 WR Justin Hunter Shoulder IR
09/16/18 RB Le'Veon Bell Holdout is out for season
09/09/18 WR Eli Rogers ACL PUP
09/04/18 TE Jake McGee Achilles IR
09/04/18 LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi Hamstring IR
09/04/18 TE Ryan Malleck Undisclosed IR
09/04/18 DB Trey Johnson Shoulder IR
08/03/18 T Jerald Hawkins Quad IR
08/03/18 LB Ryan Shazier Back IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots are 2nd in the National Football League in points scored with 364. They have run 880 plays this year for 5,162 yards, which ranks them 1st in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots average 5.9 yards per play, which is 3rd in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 303 1st downs this season, ranking them 1st overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England has run for 1,537 yards as a unit, which ranks 10th in the league. They've run 382 times, averaging 4 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots have been penalized on offense 70 times for 559 yards so far this year, which has them 26th in the NFL in penalties. Tom Brady has passed for 3,700 yards this year. He's completed 313 throws while attempting 477 passes for a completion percentage of 65.6%. His quarterback rating this season is 98.2. He averages 11.8 yards per completion and 7.8 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New England is 5th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 293. They have given up a total of 4,842 yards on D, which is 29th in the league. The Patriots are 28th in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Their pass defense has allowed 6.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 312 throws on 502 attempts against the New England Patriots defense this season, ranking them 28th and 30th in the league. The New England pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,373 yards in the air, which is 30th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 301 attempts for 1,469 yards this season, putting them in 20th place in the NFL against the run. The Patriots have had 80 penalties for 739 yards on defense this year. That places them 27th in the league. They've allowed a score on 36% of possessions on defense, which is 6th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

New England is 18th in the NFL in punt returns with 20. They've totaled 134 punt return yards and are averaging 6.7 yards per return, which is 17th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 24 yards. They have returned 24 kicks for 691 yards on special teams, placing them 19th in kick return yardage. The Patriots average 28.8 yards per kick return and have a long of 95 yards this season. They are 4th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,112. The New England Patriots have tried 29 field goals this season and made 24, which is 4th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 82.8%. New England Patriots kickers have made 98% of their extra points, going 40 for 41 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,251 yards on 49 punts, averaging 45.9 yards per punt. That ranks them 27th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Pittsburgh Steelers have run for 1,157 yards as a team, which ranks 20th in the NFL. They've run 282 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Steelers have been penalized on offense 92 times for 837 yards so far this season, which has them 21st in the league in penalties. They are 8th in the NFL in points scored with 367. They have run 860 plays this season for 5,305 yards, which ranks them 3rd in the league in total offense. The Steelers average 6.2 yards per play, which is 6th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 310 1st downs this year, placing them 3rd overall as an offensive unit. Ben Roethlisberger averages 7.7 yards per pass attempt and 11.5 yards per completion. He has completed 366 passes on 546 attempts for a completion percentage of 67%. His quarterback rating is 97.4. He has thrown for 4,227 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Steelers rush defense has allowed 313 attempts for 1,260 yards this year, putting them in 10th place in the league against the run. Pittsburgh has committed 94 penalties for 888 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 28th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 34.2% of possessions on defense, which is 7th in the league. They are 7th in the league in points allowed on defense with 306. They have surrendered a total of 4,301 yards on D, which is 5th in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked 14th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense has given up 6 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 9th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 298 passes on 466 attempts against the Pittsburgh defense this season, placing them 3rd and 2nd in the National Football League. The Steelers pass defense has also given up a total of 3,041 yards through the air, which is 5th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers have attempted 16 field goals this season and made 10, which is 5th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 62.5%. Pittsburgh kickers have made 89% of their extra points, going 39 for 44 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,421 yards on 55 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That places them 30th in the NFL in punting average. Pittsburgh is ranked 22nd in the league in punt returns with 28. They've accumulated 232 punt return yards and average 8.3 yards per return, which is 23rd in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 23 yards. They have returned 26 kicks for 504 yards on special teams, ranking 18th in kick return yardage. The Steelers average 19.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 35 yards this year. They are 6th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,165.

Who will win tonight's Patriots/Steelers NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Steelers +1

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