A Thursday Night Football spectacular awaits, as does our Patriots-Steelers first touchdown picks for what should be an “interesting” game in Pittsburgh.
Eh, let’s just get honest. It doesn’t get any worse than this. At least not in New England, as longtime staple and NFL legend Bill Belichick just suffered another home shutout, the latest humiliation across this brutal season.
The Steelers were keeping their heads above water despite being out-gained in nearly every contest, still with a winning record and playoff hopes. Those might be dashed some as Kenny Pickett is out due to injury, allowing the return of Mitchell Trubisky. The QB situation on the other side isn’t much better, and New England is without arguably their best player in Rhamondre Stevenson. With the total down to 30, TDs will not be at a premium. Here are the best Thursday Night Football first touchdown picks in Pittsburgh!
If you’re hungry for more action, check out the rest of our NFL betting tools and our NFL betting promos.
Patriots-Steelers First Touchdown Picks | Thursday Night Football
New England Patriots Touchdown Scorer
There are two ways to go here but ultimately we will be choosing the chalk. The first avenue is simply to ride the most obvious player to carry the ball over the goal line, especially with Stevenson down to injury. Ezekiel Elliott will be featured throughout the game but easily on the first drive. Bailey Zappe is a terrible quarterback and needs as much pressure removed as possible from this Steelers pass rush. Both defenses have the potential to control this football game.
Elliott will get the majority of carries and see some action in the passing game, one area of attack against the Steelers defense. He just makes the most sense because even when (if?) New England finds itself in the red zone, Zappe won’t be the focus, rather getting Elliott the ball against linebackers or simple screen plays.
The only other option here would be to put .1u on the Patriots D/ST to score first, as the Steelers offense – already struggling – takes a massive step back with Trubisky. It’s not that Pickett is much better, rather Trubisky is mistake prone and might cough it up on his first snap. Best to bet Elliott but worth a sprinkle on the defense.
Patriots-Steelers First Touchdown Picks: Ezekiel Elliott +650 at SugarHouse for 0.25 Units
Pittsburgh Steelers First Touchdown Scorer
Again, two ways to go here and it’s the same exact strategy. The Steelers have better skill guys around their QB despite there being no significant advantage with either signal caller. Trubisky is facing an uphill battle in trying to get the ball out fast while avoiding a serious pass rush. It’s the one thing the Pats did ok last week, limit the Chargers to just six points. They can get to Pittsburgh too, even if it’s not as often as the Steelers return the favor.
New England’s defense is still beatable on the ground, primarily by a running back. It’s worth a shot herewith Jaylen Warren specifically because of how often the Pats are content with backs receiving the football. While they stop the run as well as anyone, New England allows a high amount of completions to backs. That’s the only angle Trubisky has in making life easier for him, right away. Gone is Matt Canada, but if this new regime can’t get Warren the ball early and often, someone else needs to go.
The last option would be betting .1u on the Steelers D/ST to score first, knowing Zappe might throw a pick-6 or mishandle the football. These are two strong units on defense going against trash cans at QB. Nothing wrong with a sprinkle on both defenses.
Patriots-Steelers First Touchdown Picks: Jaylen Warren +550 at DraftKings for 0.25 Units
OddsShopper’s NFL Tools & Tips
New to sports betting? OddsShopper’s selection of Betting 101 articles is here to help. Check out our guide to finding positive expected value (+EV), and you can unlock more +EV plays by signing up for OddsShopper Premium! Don’t believe OddsShopper will change your betting results? Check out Greg Ehrenberg’s profits:
This right here is the OddsShopper difference.
