The New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game that you can see at CBS and bet on the top us sportsbooks. The Steelers just slipped past the Kansas City Chiefs last week while the Patriots routed the Houston Texans. This matchup on Sunday features the potent offense of the Steelers against the top-ranked defense of the Patriots. It is also a marquee matchup of quarterbacks with Ben Roethlisberger going against Tom Brady. Let’s look at the game and AFC Championship picks.
AFC Championship Odds at the Best Online Betting Sites
Patriots -5.5, total 50.5
Steelers vs. Patriots
The best sportsbooks online report that the Steelers have the flashy offense led by Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown but the Patriots actually have the better offense as they averaged just over 27 points per betting game while the Steelers averaged just under 25 points per game. And there is a definite difference in the defense as the Patriots led the league in fewest points allowed at just over 15 per game while the Steelers allowed just over 20 points per contest.
The Patriots will try and find a way to slow down the marquee players of the Steelers. “They’re really good,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “They’re a tremendous offense. Kansas City was able to make some plays in the red area, but they could’ve easily been up in the 40s (Sunday) night. “They do a lot of things well — can run it, can throw it. Brown’s the main guy, but all of the receivers, tight ends, backs — I mean, they’re all a problem. Roethlisberger is really good, can make all of the throws. It looks like his mobility is good. They’re doing a great job. They’re a good offense.”
The Steelers lost in Week 7 to the Patriots 27-16 but Roethlisberger didn’t play in that game as backup Landry Jones had to start. New England realizes they have to start by focusing on Bell. “He’s good all of the time,” Belichick said, “He’s really a hard guy to tackle. He’s got good vision, great patience, and he does a good job.”
Game Notes
The Patriots are 7-2 against the Steelers with Belichick and Brady. The Patriots are 4-0 at home against the Steelers with Brady at quarterback. The Steelers are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 playoff games. The Steelers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Steelers are 17-8-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Patriots are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Patriots are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff home games. The Patriots are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Conference Championships games. The Steelers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 meetings against the Patriots.
The Over is 6-0 in the Steelers last 6 Conference Championships games. The Under is 4-0-1 in the Steelers last 5 playoff games. The Under is 20-7 in the Steelers last 27 road games. The Over is 5-0 at betting sites in the Patriots last 5 playoff home games.
AFC Championship Picks
It is hard to go against Belichick and Brady at home so we’ll lay the points at the best online betting sites and take the Patriots. Bet at Mybookie sportsbook for this game and receive a big Bonus.
