Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Sunday Night Football Week 3 Predictions, Picks and Odds 9/24/23
A dominant defensive effort put the Pittsburgh Steelers back at .500 last week, but if Kenny Pickett doesn’t improve, the upside on the 2023 season will be missing.
The second-year quarterback hopes to get on track when the Steelers travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football. Pittsburgh is hoping to make the playoffs this season and a win in a game like this is crucial.
The oddsmakers have instituted the Raiders as the slight home favorites for this Week 3 NFL matchup. Here are the odds, courtesy of BetMGM on September 21:
Spread: Raiders -2.5
Moneyline: Raiders -145; Steelers +120
Over/Under: 43 points
Las Vegas was blown out in Week 2 by the Bills, which was a reminder that this team is a long way from contention. The Raiders have some very talented individual players, led by wideout Davante Adams, but depth is a major issue.
I’m mildly surprised to see Las Vegas listed as the favorites in this one and will definitely be rolling with the Steelers. The point spread and moneyline are both enticing options in this Sunday Night Football showdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Betting Prediction
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Betting Prediction
The Steelers have the worst offense in the NFL through two weeks, according to DVOA, but they now get a shot against a Las Vegas defense that’s been second-to-worst in the league.
Chandler Jones remains out for Las Vegas while rookie Tyree Wilson has started slowly, so Maxx Crosby will need to have a big game. Pickett has a Total QBR of 18.8 thus far, which is last in the NFL, though he’s faced the 49ers and Browns to open the season.
On the flip-side Jimmy Garoppolo will aim to move the ball against a stingy Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers scored a pair of defensive touchdowns last time out and the pressure is expected to be heavy on Jimmy G throughout the game.
Las Vegas has not gotten standout running back Josh Jacobs going this season and he needs to have a big game to help ease the pressure off the passing offense.
These two teams are pretty evenly-matched, so I’ll take the points while banking on a better performance from Pickett.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 21
Prop Bet Prediction: Steelers WR Allen Robinson Over/Under 37.5 Receiving Yards
The veteran wide receiver has been pretty underwhelming for a few seasons now. An injury to Diontae Johnson has given Robinson plenty of playing time through the first two weeks and he should be on the field a lot against the Raiders.
However, he is coming off a two-catch game against the Browns in which he totaled only 12 yards. Robinson did have five catches for 64 yards in the season opener but it feels like he is slowing down at age-30.
Robinson should get a few targets but I struggle seeing any sort of dominance from him, even against a suspect Raiders defense.
Prediction: Allen Robinson under 37.5 receiving yards (-120 at BetMGM)
How To Watch Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sunday Night Football Week 3 game can be seen on NBC.
