Why are Denver Broncos listed as underdogs (by almost 3 points) for this weekend's game in Pittsburgh?

Question

Why are Denver Broncos listed as underdogs (by almost 3 points) for this weekend's game in Pittsburgh?

Thanks for your answer, but Pittsburgh is playing lousy. Broncos got beat by a last second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Do you still stick with your answer.

Answer 1

I think the above answers lead you to the answer you are looking for. The spread is based largely on who the prognosticators think the public will be betting on (not necessarily who is the better of the teams). We would like to think that the public would pick the team that is most likely to win based on current performance and statistics. However, the truth of the matter is, the public bets on who they feel will win (largely based on emotion rather than data). Take the 2.5 points. Denver is by far the better of the two teams right now.

Answer 2

Its because NOBODY can look at the Pittsburgh record and believe that they are that bad! (They are obviously still hung over from all that champagne last February)

I don't personally believe they are actually that bad EITHER. However, they have just reached the point where a playoff spot is pretty much moving out of the picture, whereas the Broncos have just lost a real close one to one of the best teams in football, they'll want to get THAT taste out of their mouth right away and get back into the race. Go with the hungriest team here, take the Broncos and the points for sure...........

Answer 3

They must be banking on Denver not being able to score points. Despite being pretty lousy this year, Pittsburgh is still one of the better run stopping teams. If they can take the run away from Denver and make them one dimensional, then Denver's already bad offense will become embarrassing. And at times this year, Pittsburghs offense has been in sync (see KC game), they can move the ball against good defenses. I would personally put my money on Denver, but you never know, the Steelers match up pretty well in defensive battles.

Answer 4

I agree with you that Pittsburgh should not be the favorite. But the home team gets 3 points. Should be a good game, and the Broncos need to win.

Answer 5

In Pittsburgh and as bad as the Steeler's record is you have to look closer. They have faced some tough luck and aren't getting the breaks. Their worst loss was a 10 point loss to San Diego, still not that bad. I know the 9 point loss to the Jaguars was bad but that was a shutout and I am saying total points.

Part of why Ben played last week was to get that rust out of him. So now he should be playing in his better form, not forcing stupid passes and such. They write off the game against Oakland as Ben shouldn't have been playing. They look at the games against K.C. and Atlanta as proof of what Ben still CAN do. So they figure he should be in form for this game. Also look at the D. Steelers didn't give up much D to the Raiders. About 100 yards. The two INTs brought in for TDs were really the difference. If that didn't happen the Steelers win by a TD instead of losing by one. In other words if Ben plays like he can and should he wins that game. Although he shouldn't have been playing last week because he played kinda like people figured he would. We Steelers fans wouldn't openly admit it but we almost expected him to play like that because we weren't expecting him to do good and thought he still had effects.

Answer 6

I can't stand either team....... There beyond overrated. Big Ben is a **** bomb waiting to explode. Jake is no snake. He's basically a loser wherever he plays, pulling out b.s. victory's from his ***.
SEE THE REAL SNAKE KEN STABLER. Stealing that nickname is a sin.
This will be a, keep running, small passing game with the occasional deep ball. I see the Steelers winning 24 to 17, thanks to some defensive turn overs.


Any of you want to comment on the loser comment I've left, keep in mind that Plummer has a better winning percentage than Elway. I don't really think we'll ever think or confuse Plummer for Elway.

Answer 7

It's in Pittsburgh would be the answer to that and Denver just lost at home.

Answer 8

can you say the fix is on. Or is it just the stats talking as bad as the steelers have been they seem to play to the level of there opponents no one has blown them out. can't wait two offenses in a deep coma and above average defenses means low score and home Field advantage. GO PITT

Answer 9

i thought that was crazy too. although it's in Pittsburgh, Denver has obviously been playing far better.

but i guess it does make sense, because the Steelers will win the game, probably by 3 too.

Answer 10

It doesn't matter to me who's favored or why. I'm just hoping for a Denver loss to help San Diego in the AFC West race.