Monday, December 7, 2020, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 5 p.m. ET
Washington at Steelers Betting Preview: Washington (+8.5/-110), Steelers (-8.5/-110)
Washington Football Team
Rookie Antonio Gibson will be looked upon to continue his torrid stretch as the Washington Football Team (4-7) bid to extend their season-high two-game winning streak at the expense of a club that has yet to lose this season. The third-round pick totaled 136 scrimmage yards (115 rushing, 21 rushing) and a season-best three touchdowns in Washington’s 41-16 win at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.
While Gibson aims to become the first rookie to record a rushing touchdown in six straight games since Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew accomplished the feat in 2006, receiver Terry McLaurin and fellow second-year player Montez Sweat have been making strong contributions as well. McLaurin posted his NFL-high-tying seventh performance of at least seven catches on Nov. 26 while Sweat had an interception return for a touchdown.
Sweat (six sacks), Ryan Kerrigan (5.5), Tim Settle (five) and rookie Chase Young (4.5) have help Washington tie for second in the NFL with 36 sacks. Four of Settle’s five sacks have come in the past five games.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger’s arm very well may be tired after recording season-high totals in completions (36) and attempts (51) for the Steelers (11-0) in their 19-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. JuJu Smith-Schuster was on the receiving end of Roethlisberger’s lone touchdown toss, the wideout’s third score in the past four games.
Diontae Johnson boosted his four-game total to 32 catches after matching Smith-Schuster with eight receptions on Wednesday. Rookie Chase Claypool, who leads the team in receiving yards (611), joins Johnson (583) and Smith-Schuster (572) in giving Roethlisberger three effective and productive targets.
Pittsburgh’s vaunted defense took a significant hit, however, as coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that linebacker Bud Dupree will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Rookie Alex Highsmith will attempt to fill the void left by Dupree, who has eight sacks this season and 39.5 during his six-year career.
Washington at Steelers Betting Pick for Week 13
Tomlin wasn’t too pleased with what he watched on Wednesday, going so far as to use the term “junior varsity” in describing the Steelers’ play against their bitter rivals. Pittsburgh will have a short week to prepare for a Washington team that has a spring in its step after winning back-to-back games, albeit against opponents with a combined 5-16-1 record.
While well-rested Washington will do its best to spring the upset in this one, the Steelers have more than enough talent to continue their winning ways. Pittsburgh, in fact, can clinch a playoff berth with a win Monday.
Washington at Steelers Betting Pick:
Steelers 21, Washington 17
Washington at Steelers Best Bet for Week 13
Although Pittsburgh is averaging a league sixth-best 28.8 points per game, its running game failed to get untracked on Wednesday with Benny Snell Jr. replacing James Conner (reserve/COVID-19 list).
A short week will not do any favors for the Steelers’ offense, but Pittsburgh’s defense is a sizable step up in class than what Washington has been facing of late.
Washington at Steelers Best Bet: UNDER 42.5 total points (-110)
–Field Level Media
