Steelers end impressive NFL streak with matchup against Buffalo

Steelers fans, this might be the best or the worst time to place a bet on the franchise this weekend. Pittsburgh enters Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills as clear underdogs. But the point spread that they are minus at is something they have not seen since the AFL NFL merger.

As of Tuesday, Pittsburgh is a 14-point underdog against Buffalo. This ends their 52-year streak, dating back to 1970, of never being at least a 14-point underdog. All NFL franchises, except the Steelers until today, have been at that betting line or worse at least once in the modern NFL era.

However, fans of the Steelers should not be too upset. The last time the odds were against Pittsburgh like this, they took care of business. Pittsburgh’s largest underdog role was back in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were favored by +13.5 points heading into that matchup. But the Steelers covered the points spread, only losing by 10 points and falling by a final score of 27-17.

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Although the 14-point underdog line could be perceived as disrespectful, it is not the biggest concern for Pittsburgh heading into this matchup. After another shaky performance with limited production on the offensive side of the ball, add coach Mike Tomlin elected to bench starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky and give rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett an opportunity against the New York Jets. And Tomlin plans on extending that audition to this weeks game. Now the betting question is, who will finish the year as the Steelers starting quarterback, Trubisky or Pickett?

Steelers make it official: Kenny Pickett is Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers made it official Tuesday. Kenny Pickett is the new starting quarterback.

The Steelers released their depth chart for their Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, listing Pickett ahead of Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Pickett made his season debut on Sunday against the New York Jets after Trubisky got benched, and he completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards, but threw three interceptions.

Mike Tomlin also commented on the decision shortly after the Steelers made the announcement, saying Trubisky’s rough start vs. the Jets — 7-of-13 passing, 84 yards and an interception — played a role in the move. However, he made it clear that wasn’t the only reason he made the change.

“That’s not fair to him,” Tomlin said, via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “He’s played better than that description but we haven’t.”

Pittsburgh drafted Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout career at Pitt, helping the Panthers to an ACC title in 2021. He put together a strong preseason, but coach Mike Tomlin opted to go with Trubisky as the starting quarterback after he signed a two-year deal over the offseason.

After the 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday, Mike Tomlin addressed playing both over the course of the game and what it may mean for next week. Tomlin said inserting Pickett was his idea because the team ‘needed a spark’ on offense.