Steelers vs. Patriots line, odds and predictions: Historic low total for “Thursday Night Football”

The Athletic has live coverage of the Steelers vs Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

We have seen some bad football this season, but Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots matchup might have the potential to be one of the worst offensive games in years. Despite getting humiliated on their home field by a previously two-win Arizona Cardinals team on Sunday, the Steelers are still coming into the game as more than a field goal favorite with starting quarterback Kenny Pickett out.

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Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The game will be broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime.

The Iowa-esque low over/under of 30 points is the lowest over/under we have seen for an NFL game since the early 90s. Three games on December 26, 1993, had O/Us of 28 or 29. Three more games (in 1979, 1991 and 1993) had 30.

NE-PIT down to 30.0 O/U (most sites)

There have been just 7 games (PFR) with an O/U of 30 or lower

— 3 in same week (12-26-93)
— 28.0 O/U all-time low (twice)
— 6 of the 7 games hit the over
— Only 2 teams covered

— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) December 5, 2023

New England’s offense — led by Bill O’Brien and Joe Judge — has been so bad that, despite having a defense that’s allowed 10 points or fewer in three consecutive weeks, they lost all three of those games to drop to 2-10 on the season. They have five games this season with 7 or fewer points scored, while their defense has allowed the eighth fewest yards in the NFL.

Pittsburgh’s offense has shown some improvements in the running game in recent weeks following the promotion of rookie tackle Broderick Jones to the starting o-line, while they also do a great job protecting the football. The key has been a defense that has forced turnovers and swung games thanks to impact players like T.J. Watt.

But without Kenny Pickett starting at quarterback, the Steelers’ inability to prevent giveaways could be a problem. Backup Mitch Trubisky has been turnover-prone throughout his career — he has two fumbles and an interception this season over parts of three games, with 45 career interceptions in 67 games — and hasn’t had much success running the Steelers’ offense in five career starts with the team. Still, he has playmakers at running back and wide receiver; Pat Freiermth just had a 120 yard game two weeks ago, and the new offense seems far better than the Matt Canada system — there’s hope. It stinks that it has to come against a defense that barely allows points, but there’s at least a chance for some fireworks on the Pittsburgh side. New England, now without Rhamondre Stevenson, is on the border of hopelessness.

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There’s a very real inability to generate offense here, which won’t be helped by the very good recent play from both defenses. Now throw in a short week? This is going to create a potentially dreadful environment for offense. The good news? Thursday’s weather in Pittsburgh looks partly cloudy with winds at about 12 m.p.h. — but the way this game is trending, don’t rule out some Biblical event surprise storm to further hamper the scoring.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Buy them here.

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(Photo of Najee Harris: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)