Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints Week 16 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/23/2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 7 point favorites. The total has been set at 57.5.

The Steelers are 7-6-1 against the spread and their over/under record is 7-7-0. The Saints are 10-4-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 5-9-0.

Valuable Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

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

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-6-1 against the spread

Important New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 5-9-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 10-4-0 against the spread

Key Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries

12/16/18 T Marcus Gilbert Knee is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
12/15/18 RB James Conner Foot is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
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

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/18/18 T Jermon Bushrod Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs Pittsburgh
12/18/18 C Max Unger Concussion is questionable Sunday vs Pittsburgh
12/17/18 T Terron Armstead Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Pittsburgh
11/22/18 WR Dez Bryant Achilles is out for season
11/08/18 WR Cameron Meredith Knee IR
10/24/18 G Josh LeRibeus Ankle IR
10/18/18 WR Ted Ginn Jr. Knee IR
09/26/18 CB Patrick Robinson Ankle IR
09/04/18 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Neck IR
09/04/18 DB Rickey Jefferson Knee IR
09/04/18 RB Shane Vereen Finger IR
09/04/18 WR Travin Dural Arm IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 8th in the National Football League in points scored with 384. They have run 921 plays this year for 5,681 yards, which ranks them 3rd in the NFL in total offense. The Steelers average 6.2 yards per play, which is 6th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 334 1st downs this season, ranking them 3rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Pittsburgh has run for 1,315 yards as a unit, which ranks 20th in the league. They've run 307 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Steelers have been penalized on offense 96 times for 877 yards so far this year, which has them 21st in the NFL in penalties. Ben Roethlisberger has passed for 4,462 yards this year. He's completed 388 throws while attempting 580 passes for a completion percentage of 66.9%. His quarterback rating this season is 96.4. He averages 11.5 yards per completion and 7.7 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Pittsburgh is 7th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 316. They have given up a total of 4,669 yards on D, which is 5th in the league. The Steelers are 14th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Their pass defense has allowed 6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 9th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 323 throws on 502 attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense this season, ranking them 3rd and 2nd in the league. The Pittsburgh pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,313 yards in the air, which is 5th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 332 attempts for 1,356 yards this season, putting them in 10th place in the NFL against the run. The Steelers have had 108 penalties for 994 yards on defense this year. That places them 28th in the league. They've allowed a score on 33.5% of possessions on defense, which is 7th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Pittsburgh is 22nd in the NFL in punt returns with 28. They've totaled 232 punt return yards and are averaging 8.3 yards per return, which is 23rd in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 23 yards. They have returned 27 kicks for 531 yards on special teams, placing them 18th in kick return yardage. The Steelers average 19.7 yards per kick return and have a long of 35 yards this season. They are 6th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,585. The Pittsburgh Steelers have tried 18 field goals this season and made 11, which is 5th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 61.1%. Pittsburgh Steelers kickers have made 89% of their extra points, going 41 for 46 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,499 yards on 57 punts, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. That ranks them 30th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 1,784 yards as a team, which ranks 5th in the NFL. They've run 425 times, averaging 4.2 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 79 times for 754 yards so far this season, which has them 17th in the league in penalties. They are 4th in the NFL in points scored with 459. They have run 898 plays this season for 5,403 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Saints average 6 yards per play, which is 1st in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 336 1st downs this year, placing them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees averages 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 10.9 yards per completion. He has completed 337 passes on 450 attempts for a completion percentage of 74.9%. His quarterback rating is 116.8. He has thrown for 3,666 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has allowed 301 attempts for 1,107 yards this year, putting them in 16th place in the league against the run. New Orleans has committed 77 penalties for 725 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 7th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 33.6% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the league. They are 10th in the league in points allowed on defense with 292. They have surrendered a total of 4,782 yards on D, which is 17th in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints are ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense has given up 6.8 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 16th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 333 passes on 493 attempts against the New Orleans defense this season, placing them 13th and 17th in the National Football League. The Saints pass defense has also given up a total of 3,675 yards through the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have attempted 28 field goals this season and made 27, which is 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 96.4%. New Orleans kickers have made 98% of their extra points, going 46 for 47 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,645 yards on 35 punts, averaging 47 yards per punt. That places them 8th in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans is ranked 16th in the league in punt returns with 22. They've accumulated 139 punt return yards and average 6.3 yards per return, which is 25th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 17 yards. They have returned 23 kicks for 560 yards on special teams, ranking 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 24.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 50 yards this year. They are 2nd in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,213.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Saints -7

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