SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Much of the luster has been lost with this game as Russell Wilson sits on injured reserve, healing a finger turned into a “T” square by a swatting Aaron Donald last week. As such, it will be Geno Smith bringing the Seattle Seahawks to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both these teams are an unexpected 2-3, but got there in different ways. The Seahawks have played an elite schedule, facing three 2020 playoff teams and one, in the San Francisco 49ers, that should compete for a spot this year.
While the Steelers have played a couple of playoff teams themselves, picking up a surprise win at the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 and falling, as expected, to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, its been losses to the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals that put them on the ropes.
This is a Super Bowl XL rematch and, if you don’t remember it, there’s a reason for that. It was one of the more boring Super Bowls in recent history with Pittsburgh winning 21-10. Ben Roethlisberger completed just nine passes in the victorious effort and tossed two picks.
This will be the 20th all time meeting between the franchises with Seattle holding a 10-9 edge. The Seahawks have won the last two match ups, meaning that Russell Wilson is 2-0 against Pittsburgh and will remain that way.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-5, O/U: 42.5)
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Broadcast: NBC
Kickoff: Oct. 17, 8:20 p.m.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-3)
All might not be lost for the Seahawks considering how well Smith played coming in from the bullpen for Wilson last Sunday. Seattle lost 26-17 to the Los Angeles Rams, but Smith finished 10 of 17 for 131 yards, one touchdown and an interception. While the Seahawks did lose, Smith kept it interesting. Seattle’s defense sacked Matthew Stafford once and picked him off once. DK Metcalf caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-3)
The Steelers didn’t necessarily save their season with s 27-19 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday, but they definitely kept it on life support. Roethlisberger completed 15 of 25 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Najee Harris had one of his best games of the season, rushing 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. Chase Claypool caught five passes for 130 yards and a score. Pittsburgh’s defense sacked Teddy Bridgewater twice and intercepted a pass.
THE PICK
Here’s a stat that will end up meaning nothing; this will just be the second time in Geno Smith’s career he’s faced the Steelers. As the QB of the New York Jets, Smith fell 19-6 in 2013 as a rookie, tossing two picks and getting sacked three times. I know he looked OK last week in the second half, but Pittsburgh had a week to prepare. I think it matters. Steelers 27, Seahawks 13
Last week
Straight up: 12-4
Against the spread: 7-9
Season
Straight up: 53-27
Against the spread: 40-40
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