STEELERS-TITANS WORTH TUNING IN FOR
Many weeks, football fans find other things to watch on Thursday nights.
The matchups aren’t exactly intriguing.
This is a week to tune in. Pittsburgh, ranked third in the AP Pro32, is a seven-point favourite over No. 11 Tennessee. It’s an important game for several reasons:
● #PUI UFBNT MFBE UIFJS EJWisions, the 7-2 Steelers in the AFC North, the 6-3 Titans in a tie with Jacksonville atop the AFC South.
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wild-card slots, and this game could have tiebreaker ramifications.
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winning streaks.
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against inferior opponents, Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, Tennessee at home to Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how (or if) they rebound with stronger performances.
Titans coach Mike Mularkey isn’t concerned that the short turnaround will affect his club. Playing the Steelers always gets a team’s attention.
“If we let that become a distraction, it can be, yes,” Mularkey said.
“This team’s pretty mature and pretty good about handling different situations, and this won’t be any different.” Marcus Mariota (left) and the Tennessee Titans take on Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight in a battle of AFC division leaders.
Unfortunately for Tennessee, it has not played particularly well on the road. So ... STEELERS, 20-17
Knockout league tip
The Lions did their thing, though it took a while, against Cleveland. Difficult to find an eligible team, will try Jacksonville on the whoever-plays-Cleveland theory.
Week 11
No. 2 New England (minus 6) vs. No. 18 Oakland at Mexico City — It gets tiresome making Patriots the top choice, but it also makes a lot of sense. BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 30-20
No. 20 Arizona (minus 2½)
at No. 24 Houston — One of several home underdogs we like this week. UPSET SPECIAL: TEXANS, 19-13
No. 19 Baltimore (minus 2½) at No. 16 Green Bay — Another home dog we will go with. PACKERS, 17-16
No. 13 Detroit (minus 2½) at No. 27 Chicago — And another. BEARS, 17-16
No. 7 Kansas City (minus 9) at No. 31 New York Giants — OK, enough of that. Here’s a favourite ready to romp. CHIEFS, 30-13
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams (plus 2½) at No. 6 Minnesota — Who would have projected this to be the highlight of Week 11? RAMS, 27-24
No. 1 Philadelphia (plus 3) at No. 14 Dallas — Cowboys can
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a wild card goodbye if they lose.
COWBOYS, 28-27
No. 12 Atlanta (plus 3) at No. 9 Seattle — Dan Quinn against
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though they are undermanned ...
SEAHAWKS, 23-21
No. 10 Jacksonville (minus 7½) at No. 32 Cleveland — Just can’t pick the Browns to win.
JAGUARS, 23-20
No. 28 Tampa Bay (plus 3) at No. 23 Miami — This was the Week 1 matchup postponed by Hurricane Irma. BUCCANEERS, 20-16
No. 17 Washington (plus 8) at No. 4 New Orleans — Saints have that rising-up look, Redskins have that banged-up look. SAINTS, 34-23
No. 15 Buffalo (plus 4½) at No. 21 Los Angeles Chargers — Did prospect of finally making playoffs scare Bills into QB change? CHARGERS, 22-20
No. 26 Cincinnati (plus 2½) at No. 25 Denver — Remember when Denver was a tough place to play? BENGALS, 17-16
2017 RECORD Last week
Against spread (7-6). Straight up (8-5)
Season totals
Against spread (67-69-3). Straight up: (88-57)
Best Bet
6-4 against spread, 8-2 straight up.
Upset special
6-4 against spread, 6-4 straight up