Raiders vs. Steelers: NFL Week 2 betting odds, preview, and pick

After a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Ravens in their Monday Night Football home opener, the Las Vegas Raiders will travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. The Steelers – who needed some fourth-quarter magic of their own to overcome the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 1 – are the betting favorite.

Let’s dive into the matchup to determine what the best available bet is.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0), 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Steelers defense can contain Darren Waller

A recurring theme in Monday’s Raider win was Derek Carr’s reliance on tight end Darren Waller, whom he targeted 19 times in the 33-27 triumph. Waller hauled in 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, but bettors should not expect a repeat performance against Pittsburgh.

The Steelers’ defense was among the stingiest in the league last year when it came to tight end production; they allowed the third-fewest receptions (64), the second-fewest yards (638), and paced the NFL in touchdowns allowed (three). T.J. Watt and company limited Bills tight end Dawson Knox to four catches and 41 yards with no touchdowns in Week 1.

Big Ben should be better

Ben Roethlisberger served as more of a game manager than a game winner in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory, going 18-for-32 with 188 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. That was not entirely surprising, considering the Bills’ stoppers were at home and ranked ninth in yards allowed per pass (6.1) a year ago. But “Big Ben” put his team ahead in the fourth quarter before the Steelers’ special teams sewed up the win with a blocked punt scoop-and-score touchdown.

Roethlisberger should have an easier time of things against the Raiders’ porous secondary, which allowed four completions of 20 or more yards to Lamar Jackson in Week 1.

Raiders vs. Steelers injury report

Raiders and Steelers betting trends

• The Raiders are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games following a straight-up win
• The Steelers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight-up win
• The Steelers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games at home
• The Over is 13-3-1 in the Raiders’ last 17 games overall
• The Under is 22-8 in the Steelers’ last 30 games after allowing 250+ pass yards in their previous game

The verdict

This is a letdown spot for the Raiders, who usually don’t play well in games that take place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. Expect the Steelers to flaunt their class in their home opener.

Score prediction: Steelers 31, Raiders 20

NFL pick: Steelers -5.5