NFL Picks – Struggling Offenses Do Battle When Jets Travel to Pittsburgh

Only a few short weeks ago, the New York Jets were NFL Betting Picks to be playing into February but a recent rough spell has second guessers lining up to criticize the team. The Pittsburgh Steelers have also struggled but unlike the Jets are getting the desired results in their games. The two teams square off in what is sure to be a defensive struggle.

NEW YORK JETS (9-4) vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-3)

Sunday, December 19, 4:15 PM ET

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Heinz Field, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Betting Lines:

NY Jets: +5 ½ (-110)
Pittsburgh: -5 ½ (-110)

Moneyline: NY Jets +200: Pittsburgh -240

Total: 36 points

The New York Jets have fallen off a huge NFL Picks wagon in recent game and are not a team in a driver’s seat, but are more like a team on the playoff bubble after three straight underwhelming games.

The Jets, to be blunt, have major issues on offense. The 22nd ranked passing offense and the 5th ranked rushing offense has managed just three field goals in their last two games and have not scored an offensive touchdown in nine quarters!

Mark Sanchez has completed an AFC low 53.3% of his passes; he has thrown an interception in eight straight games and has thrown for a combined 380 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions in his last two games. To make it worse, LaDainian Tomlinson has not rushed for more than 49 yards in the last five games. Now they have to face the most daunting defense in the game!

The Jets defense has been holding its own and has justified their NFL Picks as one of the better units in the league. They are 9th against the pass (203.92 yards per game) and 3rd versus the run (88.54 yards per game). They will be facing another struggling offense this week and will likely be the reason that the Jets win this game – if they do!

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won four straight games and are right at the top of the NFL Picks list to represent the AFC at the Super Bowl in February. However, it is not the offense that is getting it done for the Steelers, it is the defense that is doing all of their scoring.

Ben Roethlisberger and the 18th ranked passing game (212.15 yards per game) have been getting yards, but they are not producing any scores. Roethlisberger has only thrown one touchdown in his last three games and the 10th ranked rushing game (120.23 yards per game) has only generated one score in the last 11 quarters.

Big Ben has gotten sacked 16 times in the last four games, has a sprained foot and a broken nose. Thank goodness for a strong defense!

Pittsburgh’s defense has taken its game to a completely different level recently and responsible for more touchdowns than the offense in the last three games. They have allowed an average of nine points per game over the last month and have given up more than 22 points only once all season (to the New England Patriots!).

Nobody runs on this team – they are allowing 60.08 yards per game but they have been a tad vulnerable through the air.

NFL Betting Picks Outlook:

The New York Jets are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games but are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven. They are 5-1 SU on the road in their last six games and are 0-5 SU on the road in Pittsburgh. Against the Steelers, the Jets are 3-11 SU in their last 14 games and are 3-9 ATS in their last 12.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-1 SU in their last six games and are 6-4 SU in their last 10 at home. Against New York, the Steelers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games overall and are 5-0 SU at home.

The Jets are really struggling and a game against the Steelers will not help matters that much. The Jets will not be able to run the ball at all in this game, forcing Mark Sanchez to win this game with his arm.

We’ve all seen how that has played pout the last three weeks! Mark Sanchez will make mistakes in this game and the Steelers will capitalize. I hope that humble pie is on Rex Ryan’s weight watchers list of appropriate foods – he’s been eating a ton and will eat more on Sunday!

NFL Betting Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers -5 ½