A weekly article we post that gives a brief overview of how national media members view the Pittsburgh Steelers’ odds. Just a skinny summary of notable names who are picking for or against Pittsburgh. We’ll see who gets it right most often. If they offer a score prediction, we include that too. When applicable, I’ll toss in the predictions from Dave Bryan and myself to see how we stack up.
Today, predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions.
Those Picking The Steelers
Marcas Grant/NFL Network: Steelers (28-20)
Those Picking The Lions
Adam Rank/NFL Network: Lions (28-24)
Vinnie Iyer/Sporting News: Lions (30-24)
Dave Bryan/Steelers Depot: Lions (31-23)
Bucky Brooks/NFL Network: Lions (31-21)
Pete Prisco/CBS Sports: Lions (33-7)
Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk: Lions (29-21)
Grant Gordon/NFL Network: Lions (31-21)
Nate Davis/USA Today: Lions (30-17)
Colleen Wolfe/NFL Network: Lions (31-13)
Alex Kozora/Steelers Depot: Lions (27-17)
Eric Edholm/NFL Network: Lions (27-20)
Chris Simms/Pro Football Talk: Lions (34-21)
Daniel Jeremiah/NFL Network: Lions (34-30)
Sam Farmer/LA Times: Lions (31-24)
Maurice Jones-Drew/NFL Network: Lions (30-26)
Totals
Those Picking The Steelers: 1
Those Picking The Lions: 15
Quick Notes
– Marcas Grant will feel very smart if the Steelers pull off this win.
– This is the first time only one person from this list has picked the Steelers for at least the past two seasons, playoffs included. Despite Detroit having an identical 8-6 record as Pittsburgh, there’s little faith from the national media (Dave and myself included) in the Steelers.
– Though the two teams have the same records, the Steelers have an easier path to the postseason. Pittsburgh has an 84-percent chance of making the playoffs. The Lions sit at just 19 percent.
– The Lions entered Week 16 allowing 54 completions of 20-plus yards, most in the NFL.
– Jaylen Warren and David Montgomery are tied for 10th in average yards after contact, sitting at 2.3 per attempt.
– WR Jameson Williams is a big play waiting to happen. He’s averaging 18.0 yards on 52 receptions. If that average holds, he’ll be the first receiver to have 50-plus catches and average at least 18 yards since then-Steelers WR George Pickens in 2023. Only four other players have done it since 2020: Jaylen Waddle, Ja’Marr Chase, and Deebo Samuel.
– Detroit has turned the ball over more than once in just one game this season, Week 7 against Tampa Bay. The Lions still won that game.
