Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/16/2018

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Lambeau Field

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, August 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Green Bay as 2.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 37.5. The Steelers were 7-10-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 7-10-0. The Packers were 7-9-0 against the spread and their over/under mark was 11-5-0.

Valuable Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Steelers were 7-10-0 against the over/under last season

The Pittsburgh Steelers were 7-10-0 against the spread last year

Important Green Bay Packers Betting Trends

The Green Bay Packers were 11-5-0 against the over/under last season

The Green Bay Packers were 7-9-0 against the spread last year

Key Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries

08/03/18 WR Antonio Brown Quad is probable Sunday vs Cleveland
08/03/18 WR Eli Rogers Undisclosed is doubtful Sunday vs Cleveland
08/03/18 T Jerald Hawkins Quad is out for season
08/03/18 G Ramon Foster Knee is "?" Sunday vs Cleveland
08/03/18 LB Ryan Shazier Back is out for season

Key Green Bay Packers Injuries

08/05/18 T David Bakhtiari Ankle is probable Sunday vs Chicago
08/03/18 T Bryan Bulaga Knee is "?" Sunday vs Chicago
08/03/18 S Kentrell Brice Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Chicago
08/01/18 LB Jake Ryan Knee is out for season
07/07/18 RB Aaron Jones Suspension 2-game suspension (eligible to return 9/23 vs Washington)

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Pittsburgh Steelers were 8th in the National Football League in points scored with 406 last year. They ran 1,051 plays for 6,047 yards, which ranked them 3rd in the NFL in total offense. The Steelers averaged 5.8 yards per play, which was 6th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 348 1st downs last season, ranking them 3rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Pittsburgh ran for 1,667 yards as a unit, which ranked 20th in the league. They ran 437 times, averaging 3.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Steelers were penalized on offense 101 times for 897 yards last year, which had them 21st in the NFL in penalties. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 4,251 yards last year. He completed 360 throws while attempting 561 passes for a completion percentage of 64.2%. His quarterback rating last season was 93.4. He averaged 11.8 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Pittsburgh was 7th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 308. They gave up a total of 4,910 yards on D, which was 5th in the league. The Steelers were 14th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense allowed 5.8 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 9th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 297 throws on 499 attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense last season, ranking them 3rd and 2nd in the league. The Pittsburgh pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,217 yards in the air, which was 5th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 385 attempts for 1,693 yards last season, putting them in 10th place in the NFL against the run. The Steelers had 110 penalties for 1041 yards on defense last year. That placed them 28th in the league. They allowed a score on 30.3% of possessions on defense, which was 7th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Pittsburgh was 22nd in the NFL in punt returns with 30 last year. They totaled 207 punt return yards and averaged 6.9 yards per return, which was 23rd in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 27 yards. They returned 33 kicks for 630 yards on special teams, placing them 18th in kick return yardage. The Steelers averaged 19.1 yards per kick return and had a long of 96 yards last season. They were 6th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 7,038. The Pittsburgh Steelers tried 38 field goals last season and made 35, which was 5th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 92.1%. Pittsburgh Steelers kickers made 95% of their extra points, going 37 for 39 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,763 yards on 64 punts, averaging 43.2 yards per punt. That ranked them 30th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Green Bay Packers ran for 1,724 yards as a team last year, which ranked 17th in the NFL. They ran 386 times, averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Packers were penalized on offense 96 times for 789 yards last season, which had them 25th in the league in penalties. They were 21st in the NFL in points scored with 320. They ran 999 plays last season for 4,891 yards, which ranked them 26th in the league in total offense. The Packers averaged 4.9 yards per play, which was 25th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 307 1st downs last year, placing them 18th overall as an offensive unit. Aaron Rodgers averaged 7 yards per pass attempt and 10.9 yards per completion last season. He completed 154 passes on 238 attempts for a completion percentage of 64.7%. His quarterback rating last year was 97.2. He threw for 1,675 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Packers rush defense allowed 464 attempts for 1,793 yards last year, putting them in 17th place in the league against the run. Green Bay committed 94 penalties for 832 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 6th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 40.2% of possessions on defense, which was 31st in the league. They were 26th in the league in points allowed on defense with 384. They surrendered a total of 5,582 yards on D, which was 22nd in the NFL. The Packers were ranked 24th in yards per play allowed with 5.5. Their pass defense gave up 6.9 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 29th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 348 passes on 513 attempts against the Green Bay defense last season, placing them 21st and 6th in the National Football League. The Green Bay Packers pass defense also gave up a total of 3,789 yards through the air, which was 23rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Green Bay Packers attempted 19 field goals last season and made 15, which was 32nd in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 78.9%. Green Bay kickers made 94% of their extra points, going 33 for 35 last year. Their punters totaled 3,155 yards on 71 punts, averaging 44.4 yards per punt. That placed them 20th in the NFL in punting average. Green Bay was ranked 29th in the league in punt returns last season with 27. They accumulated 289 punt return yards and averaged 10.7 yards per return, which was 2nd in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 65 yards. They returned 35 kicks for 761 yards on special teams, ranking 10th in kick return yardage. The Packers averaged 21.7 yards per kick return and had a long of 34 yards last year. They were 21st in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,306.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Packers -2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn