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Posted on: October 5, 2023, 12:06h.
Final up to date on: October 5, 2023, 12:21h.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week regardless of a knee harm, which knocked him out of the sport in a 30-6 loss towards the Houston Texans in Week 4.
The Steelers (2-2) host the first-place Baltimore Ravens (3-1) in an AFC North divisional battle in Week 5.
The Steelers are tied with the Cleveland Browns (2-2) for second place within the division. The Cincinnati Bengals had been the betting favourite to win the AFC North however that was earlier than quarterback Joe Burrow aggravated a calf harm and the Bengals started the season with a 1-3 file.
Pickett Nursing Bruised Knee
Pickett went down within the third quarter towards the Texans. He banged his knee throughout a sack and exited the sport whereas backup Mitch Trubisky completed the sport. The Steelers’ lackluster offense put up simply six factors and struggled towards the Texans, who received by 24 factors due to a robust efficiency from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Pickett underwent testing on Monday and the Steelers recognized him with a deep bone bruise. Pickett received’t miss any time with the harm and was noticed carrying a cumbersome knee brace in observe on Wednesday.
Really feel good, and I’ll be able to go by Sunday,” Pickett instructed reporters after observe.
In 4 video games this season, Pickett accomplished 60.6% of his passes for 803 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
In 17 complete video games with the Steelers, Pickett has thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He accomplished 62.4% of his passing makes an attempt for 3,207 yards.
Pickett is 9-7 in 16 begins with the Steelers. He went 7-5 final season, and he’s 2-2 this season.
If Pickett is slowed down by the brace, or ineffective towards the Ravens, head coach Mike Tomlin will flip to Trubisky to return off the bench. Trubisky has a profession file of 31-24 as a starter, together with 2-3 with the Steelers.
Pickett Small Arms Drama
The massive knock towards Pickett heading into the 2022 NFL Draft was the scale of his fingers at 8.5 inches. Many aged-school scouts dismiss prospects in the event that they lack a sure peak or have small fingers. Pickett has the smallest fingers out of any beginning quarterback within the NFL this season.
Pickett was a standout quarterback for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He threw 81 touchdowns and ran for an additional 20 whereas main Pittsburgh to a 32-17 file as a starter.
After Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers took a flier on Pickett with the #20 decide within the draft, and he was the primary quarterback chosen in a skinny QB draft class.
Different quarterbacks chosen in 2022 included Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons), Malik Willis (Tennessee Titans), Matt Corral (Carolina Panthers), Bailey Zappe (New England Patriots), Sam Howell (Washington Commanders), Skylar Thompson (Miami Dolphins), and Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers).
Purdy was the steal of the draft contemplating he has a 9-0 file as a starter with the 49ers over the past two seasons. Purdy’s consistency is among the the reason why the 49ers are at present co-favorites to win the Tremendous Bowl.
Metal City Followers: No Extra Canada
Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada has drawn the ire of their rabid fanbase. Canada employs a low-fi offense, however he’s turn into a predictable play-caller who doesn’t pose challenges to opposing defenses.
The Steelers common 15.5 factors per sport this season, and so they’re tied for the fourth-lowest scoring offense within the NFL. The Steelers scored seven or fewer factors twice already this season, however they’re 2-0 once they rating no less than 23 factors.
Canada’s unimaginative offense generates solely 263 yards per sport, which is the fourth-worst complete offense within the NFL. The speeding assault is the fourth-lowest within the NFL, averaging 78.8 yards per sport. The passing sport is the eighth-lowest within the league, averaging 184.3 air yards per sport.
If you happen to crunch the superior metrics, the Steelers have one of many worst offenses within the NFL. They’re ranked #30 in offensive DOVA and ranked #31 in anticipated factors added per play (EPA).
The Steelers final received a playoff sport in 2016, and even when they make the postseason this 12 months, they lack the offense to compete with the juggernauts within the AFC just like the Miami Dolphins (37.5 ppg), Buffalo Payments (34.8 ppg), Los Angeles Chargers (27.5 ppg), and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (25.3 ppg).
Tomlin mentioned he has no intention of relieving Canada of his play-calling duties, but when it had been as much as the followers, they’d have fired Canada final season.
Steelers Are Lengthy Pictures within the Futures Market
The Steelers are a +4 house underdog towards the Ravens on Sunday. The Ravens have a 3-1 file towards the purpose unfold this season, and the Steelers are 2-2 ATS.
The Ravens have their justifiable share of accidents and have but to discover a dependable substitute for operating again J.Okay. Dobbins, who tore his Achilles in Week 1. By 4 video games this season, quarterback Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens in speeding, and he’s forward of Justice Hill and Gus Edwards.
In AFC North futures, the Ravens are the consensus favourite to win the division at -125 odds. The Browns are +275 odds and forward of the Steelers at +650 and the last-place Bengals at +700.
The Steelers are a protracted shot to win the Tremendous Bowl at +7000 odds and are +3500 odds to win the AFC Championship. The Steelers are +190 odds to make the playoffs, and -235 odds to overlook the playoffs in response to a prop wager from DraftKings.
Since Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, the Steelers have by no means posted a shedding season. Oddsmakers are skeptical about this 12 months, nevertheless. The Steelers have a win complete of 8.5 over/underneath. The over win complete pays out +130 odds, and the underneath is -160 odds.
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