Raiders vs Steelers Prediction & Picks: Can returning Pickett lead Pittsburgh to a pivotal win?

It will take a lot for either the Las Vegas Raiders or Pittsburgh Steelers to make the NFL playoffs, but the winner of tonight’s tilt at Acrisure Stadium will still be in the hunt entering the final two weeks of the season.

The Christmas Eve NFL slate will round out with this pivotal matchup, which is set to kick off at 8:15 pm ET and will be televised on NFL Network.

Entering Saturday’s NFL slate, both the Raiders (6-8, 2-6 away, 3rd in the AFC West) and Steelers (6-8, 2-4 home, 4th in the AFC North) are two games behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins, who occupy the last two AFC playoff spots.

There’s a lot that needs to happen for either team to bag a postseason berth, and at the top of the list is winning tonight, because the loser will be toast.

Who will come away with a big win in Pittsburgh? Read on for our Raiders vs Steelers prediction, as well as our betting picks and analysis for the matchup.

It’s the season of giving, and BetUS is in the mood to give out some freebies today.

If you place a Same-Game Parlay of at least $50 on any of the Christmas Eve games, you will receive a free bet of $50, $75, or $100. The amount that you receive will be at random and is not dependent on the amount of your bet.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Saturday, December 24, 2022, at 2:45 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Las Vegas Raiders +1.5 (-112)
• Pittsburgh Steelers -1.5 (-108)

Over/Under

• Over 38.5 (-106)
• Under 38.5 (-114)

Moneyline

• Las Vegas Raiders +102
• Pittsburgh Steelers -120

Can the Steelers Hold the Raiders Under 21 Points?

A lower-scoring game suits Pittsburgh better, but will things work out in their favor?

The Steelers have allowed fewer than 21 points nine times this season, and they are 6-3 SU in those games. The only losses are to the Patriots (17-14 in Week 2), Dolphins (16-10 in Week 7), and Ravens (16-14 in Week 14).

On the other end of the spectrum, when Pittsburgh has allowed 21+ points, they have lost all five games.

So, if the Raiders can reach that number, it will likely lead to a positive outcome for the Silver and Black.

After losing three of the first four games in which they scored 21+ points this season, the Raiders have won the last five, including last week’s 30-24 win over the Patriots.

And just as the Steelers have lost all five games in which they allowed 21+ points, the Raiders have lost all five games in which they scored fewer than 21 points.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction and Picks

Raiders vs Steelers Prediction: Raiders to win

Raiders vs Steelers Picks: Raiders ML (Best Value: +114 at BetUS) & Raiders team total over (Best Value: over 17.5 @ -113 at BetUS)

All but three of the Raiders’ games this season have been decided by one score, while all but four of the Steelers’ games have been decided by one score. So, this is very, very likely to be a close game.

Who does that favor?

The Raiders are 4-7 in their one-score games, including a 2-5 record on the road.

The Steelers are 5-5 in their one-score games, but their lone win to date in five one-score games at home is their 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

I don’t trust either of these teams all that much, even though they are both trending up at the right point of the season.

But based on how rare it is to see them get shut down, win or lose, I do trust the Raiders a bit more to put enough points on the board to get the win.

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