The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a win. What was once a two-game division lead over the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month has disintegrated into a tie after Baltimore handed Pittsburgh its second straight loss last week. Now, as both teams get set for a quick turnaround on Wednesday, the Steelers are underdogs and the Ravens are favored in their next contests. Barring an upset, Pittsburgh appears Wild Card bound.
Opening the Christmas doubleheader against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Steelers are getting 2.5 points at home. It's not surprising considering their 15-point average and two straight losses over the last two weeks as competition has stiffened. It doesn't get much easier in Week 18 when they close the season against the Cincinnati Bengals for what could be a fourth straight loss if they don't pull it together.
Even as Pittsburgh still holds the division lead by virtue of tiebreaker (for now), it's easy to see why the Ravens hold better odds at -150 to finish the season on top. They're 5.5-point favorites over the Texans on Christmas before finishing the season against Cleveland.
Here's a look at the lines for those games and every other game in Week 17, with odds from BetMGM.
Chiefs at Steelers (Wednesday - Christmas)
It's easy to see how the Chiefs are favored in Pittsburgh after the way the Steelers stumbled Saturday in Baltimore. It's hard to right the ship in such a short week, especially against a team trending up as it gets healthier like the Chiefs.
Ravens at Texans (Wednesday - Christmas)
Baltimore certainly has the mental edge after the way it destroyed Houston in last year's playoffs, but it also has the talent edge on offense as the Texans are now without Tank Dell for the season. I don't think they have the firepower to keep up.
Seahawks at Bears (Thursday Night Football)
All things even, this is probably a spread an inspired Bears team could cover and a game they potentially win outright at home. Unfortunately, all things aren't even. The Bears aren't inspired, and the Seahawks still have something to play for. Play for it they shall.
Chargers at Patriots (Saturday)
New England almost beating Buffalo is gonna trick a lot of people into taking the points with the Pats here, but I'm not convinced that's the wisest choice. Unlike the Bills, the Chargers aren't a division rival. There isn't as much familiarity.
Broncos at Bengals (Saturday)
This game may be rainy but it won't be too cold, so I think these teams will push up right against that total. Ultimately, though, these lines feel a little too perfect. I'm staying away.
Cardinals at Rams (Saturday)
The Cardinals have been so unpredictable, but I expect them fall all the way off with their playoff chances now completely dead. Besides, the Rams are 4-0 ATS during their four-game winning streak.
Jets at Bills
Buffalo should win this game by double-digits, but you can never be too sure after that scare against New England. What they do here may very well come down to what KC does on Wednesday and whether the Bills still have a shot at the No. 1 seed.
Raiders at Saints
You take the under in this game and try not to think about it too much. These teams are a combined 7-1 to the under in their last eight games.
Panthers at Buccaneers
Neither of these teams is stopping anybody, so the over is attractive here, but nothing beats Panthers +8. Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games. That includes its last meeting with the Bucs, a loss in overtime.
Titans at Jaguars
The only ATS win either of these teams have this month is when the Jaguars beat the Titans a few weeks ago, but I wouldn't count on that happening again. Actually, I wouldn't count on anything involving these two teams.
Colts at Giants
The Giants are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games. At this point, the decision to fade them is above us. It's out of our hands regardless of who they play. You just do it.
Cowboys at Eagles
This is tricky with Philadelphia coming off that loss to Washington and Dallas playing better the last few weeks -- but also knowing Dallas' slim playoff chances died with Philadelphia's loss. It's hard to know how each team responds now, but I'd bet on the Cowboys embracing the role of spoilers.
Dolphins at Browns
The Browns have dropped four straight games ATS, so that feels like an appropriate trend to follow if they plan on sticking with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback.
Packers at Vikings
This is going to be a great game where bettors should probably just take a moneyline and roll with that. I like the Vikings since they're home but wouldn't be surprise if it went the other way.
Falcons at Commanders (Sunday Night Football)
The circumstances of this game make all the difference in the world for me, with Atlanta giving rookie Michael Penix Jr. his first career road start in prime-time against a team that can potentially clinch a playoff berth. I don't think that's optimal for the Falcons.
Lions at 49ers (Monday Night Football)
The 49ers don't have anything left to play for. The wheels have come off that thing in San Francisco with one win ATS in their last seven games. Fade the bay boys.