On Sunday, October 26, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers for a Week 8 Sunday Night Football matchup. Rodgers played 18 seasons with the Packers, meaning there’s a little extra intrigue here. The Steelers are also coming off a bad loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, so they’ll be eager to get back in the win column. We’re diving into all of the primetime NFL games this season and this one is no different. So keep reading for a Packers vs. Steelers betting preview. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 8 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.
MORE: Head to the Pro Picks page for best bets from all of our VSiN hosts and analysts!
How To Watch Packers vs. Steelers
When: Sunday, October 26 at 8:20 pm ET
Where: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Channel: NBC
Packers vs. Steelers Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday, October 24. Look around for the best prices!
Moneyline: Packers -162, Steelers +136
Spread: Packers -3 (-105), Steelers +3 (-115)
Total: Over 45.5 (-115), Under 45.5 (-105)
Packers vs. Steelers Analysis
Joe Flacco out-dueled Rodgers in the “Unc Bowl” last Thursday. Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, leading Cincinnati to a 33-31 victory. However, it was at least a good sign that Rodgers threw for four touchdowns in the game. Pittsburgh’s offense had been pretty anemic in previous weeks, so it was nice to see some signs of life. Jaylen Warren also added 127 yards on the ground, giving the entire unit something to build on heading into Week 8. Arthur Smith, a very good offensive play-caller, should also benefit from having an extra couple of days to prepare for the Green Bay defense.
Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin should also be able to take advantage of the mini-bye. Pittsburgh’s defense got absolutely shredded last week, and this group has too many talented players to allow that to happen again. Fortunately for the Steelers, Tomlin is known to bounce back. In his time with Pittsburgh, the team is 29-12 straight-up when coming off a performance in which the team gave up 30+ points. The Steelers have won those games by an average of 7.7 points per game. Pittsburgh is also 19-8-4 against the spread as a home underdog under Tomlin, and the team is also 14-6 SU and 10-8-2 ATS when coming off a Thursday game in that time.
Matt LaFleur also happens to be just 10-16 ATS as a road favorite with Green Bay. And this does feel like a game in which his offense could struggle. Pittsburgh is slowly starting to improve against the run, even if last week’s game isn’t good evidence of that. But if the Steelers can slow down Josh Jacobs, that’ll really limit the impact of LaFleur’s play-action calls. Also, Jordan Love can really struggle in the face of pressure, and the Steelers are second in the NFL in Pass Rush Win Rate (50%). Pittsburgh’s play against the run and the pass will both be aided by Green Bay being banged up along the offensive line.
This is also a game in which the betting splits show one-way support for the road favorite. That’s another thing that benefits the home team. Underdogs have also fared well in primetime games this season.
Packers vs. Steelers Player Props
Lean: D.K. Metcalf Anytime TD (+150)
Metcalf had scored a touchdown in four consecutive games before failing to do so against Cincinnati last week. However, at +150 odds, he could be worth a look to find pay dirt in Week 8. Our WR-CB Matchup Tool views Metcalf vs. Nate Hobbs as an advantage for the Steelers. And with somebody needing to put up some numbers for Pittsburgh, why can’t it be the No. 1 wideout? Metcalf has been productive in the red zone this season, and he has also scored a touchdown in all of the Steelers’ games at Acrisure Stadium. I would’t be surprised if he keeps that streak alive.
Packers vs. Steelers Pick
Pittsburgh +3.5 was one of the Week 8 NFL best bets I gave out on my Monday night Cashing Out spot, but I’d still look to the Steelers +3 — or take the moneyline. This is a really good spot for Pittsburgh, coming into this one with a rest advantage and a sizable chip on the shoulder.
Bet: Steelers +3.5 (-115)
