Tonight, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off against the New York Jets in NFL preseason action, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, broadcasted on NFL Network. Notably, former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not be participating in the game.
The odds for the matchup show a close contest: the Jets hold a slight edge with a moneyline of 51% at -104, while the Steelers are listed at 50% with odds of +100. In the spread, the Jets are favored by 1.5 points, which also reflects the tight nature of the markets. For the total points, the over/under is set at 37.5, with a balanced split in bets on both sides.
In terms of predictions, one recommended bet is on the Steelers to cover the spread at +1.5. Pittsburgh will also be without backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, while rookie Drew Allar and Will Howard are expected to play significant minutes in his stead.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn has been vague regarding his players' time on the field. While experienced QB Geno Smith is considered the starter, the team’s rookie Cade Klubnik could also see considerable action. Smith missed the opening game due to an ankle issue but may start tonight. Meanwhile, running back Breece Hall remains out due to a groin injury.
The Steelers may hold the advantage based on Allar's previous performance against the Packers, where he completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Klubnik, who had limited playtime in the Jets' 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay, could face challenges against Pittsburgh's second defensive unit, which successfully restricted the Packers to just nine points last week.
Given the testing environment for young quarterbacks tonight, it is anticipated that Pittsburgh will secure a victory.
In terms of player props for the game, a suggested bet is for Drew Allar to achieve over 75 passing yards at -270. This should be manageable for him, particularly as he is expected to share playing time with Howard, alongside the absence of both Rodgers and Rudolph for the Steelers.
