NFL punting tips and specials for Giants vs. Steelers, week 12

Sunday December 4, 4.25pm EST. Heinz Field, Pittsburgh.

Season record:
Giants: 8-3 (3-2 Away)
Steelers: 6-5 (3-2 Home)

Against the spread record:
Giants: 5-4-2
Steelers: 6-5

Moneyline odds:
Giants +235
Steelers -275

Spread line:
Giants +7 at 5Dimes
Steelers -7

THE Pittsburgh Steelers host the streaking New York Giants in a key game which will have a serious impact on the playoff race.

The Steelers are are tied at the top of the AFC North with Baltimore, but its 6-5 record doesn’t hold them it in good stead for the wildcard spot.

New York are in a much better spot, despite trailing Dallas by two games in the NFC East. The Giants are sitting pretty in the wildcard spot with eight wins from 11 games and a win against the Steelers would put pressure on the Cowboys over the closing weeks.

Both teams enter this Sunday afternoon game in good form with the Giants winning its past six games and the Steelers winning its last two.

The bookmakers have the Steelers as a touchdown favorite and this game should be the highlight of Week 13.

Why the Steelers can win

The Steelers were only treading water in the NFL before winning its last two games with ease.

Pittsburgh defeated the 0-12 Cleveland Browns by 15 points before taking down the Indianapolis Colts by 21 points last weekend. That win came against a second-string quarterback so the strength of that win comes into question.

Its prior form included losses to the Ravens, Cowboys and Patriots, but they are all playoff-type teams and home advantage should count for plenty this Sunday.

With Ben Roethlisberger at the quarterback position, the Steelers have a great chance of marching towards the playoffs. Big Ben has thrown for 23 touchdowns and only seven intercepts this season, which has allowed Pittsburgh to use its running game as well.

Le’Veon Bell has 151 carries for 699 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s also being used as a secondary receiver to compliment Antonio Brown. Bell has learnt how to become a prominent receiver which makes the Steelers even harder to stop in the secondary.

Expect a heavy dose of passing plays for the Steelers this Sunday which could open up the Giants defense which has allowed 19.4 points per game.

Why the Giants can win

The Giants are tearing through the NFL after six consecutive wins. It has defeated the likes of the LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears in recent weeks, but coming up against the Steelers will be another test.

The Giants have scored consistently this season with an average of 21 points per game. Most of the damage comes through the air with 263.8 yards passing and only 79.5 yards rushing.

Two-time Superbowl champion Eli Manning has been using star wide receiver Odell Beckham well this season with 65 receptions for 915 yards and eight touchdowns.

If Beckham can keep his ego in check and Manning gets enough time to throw in the pocket, expect the Giants to test the Pittsburgh secondary which has given up an average of 278.8 yards per game.

There aren’t many teams harder to beat than a confident Giants team and with bookmakers offering +7 in the spread market, we’re expecting many bettors to jump on that line before it moves.

Giants vs. Steelers game prediction

There isn’t much between these two sides and the Steelers get home ground advantage, but the points spread line is too good to pass up.

Taking a confident Giants team with a seven-point start is a good way to make money betting the NFL and we think the line will drop to +6.5 during the week.

With Eli Manning at the helm, expect the Giants to throw heavily to its wide receivers where Odell Beckham could shine.

New York’s defense has also been creating turnovers and if Jason Pierre Paul can return and intercept for another touchdown, Giants bettors should be in for a profitable day.

NFL Week 13 parlay

Atlanta Falcons -4 (-101)
New Orleans Saints -6 (-110)
Green Bay Packers -7 (-110)
New York Giants +7 (+100)

Along with the Giants +7, we like three teams which have three of the best quarterbacks in the league.

The Atlanta Falcons are sitting pretty with a 7-4 record and quarterback Matt Ryan is having one of his best seasons to date. The Falcons come up against the Chiefs which won well on Monday, but this could be a let-down spot for Kansas City.

The New Orleans Saints are only middle of the road this season, but it has many offensive weapons and the Detroit Lions, despite its record, hasn’t looked fantastic. We think the Saints will simply score more points than the Lions which can struggle to put up big numbers.

Green Bay got its confidence back last week and it could continue the hurt against the Houston Texans this week.

The -7 line is the most we would suggest taking, so get in quick before it drifts out.