NFL Picks: Week 13 Steelers vs Cardinals

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In the upcoming NFL clash between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 PM ET at the Acrisure Stadium, football enthusiasts are gearing up for what promises to be an intriguing contest between two teams with distinct recent performances.

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SPREAD: Arizona Cardinals +5.5 (-109), Pittsburgh Steelers -5.5 (-111)

MONEYLINE:  Arizona Cardinals +200, Pittsburgh Steelers -250

TOTAL: Arizona Cardinals O 41 (-111), Pittsburgh Steelers U 41 (-109)

Ironclad Ambitions: Steelers forge ahead in battle against the desert storm

The Steelers enter the matchup with momentum from their hard-fought 16-10 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that game, quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 278 yards, displaying accuracy with a completion rate of 72.7% on 24-of-33 passing. However, the absence of touchdown passes in a low-scoring affair raises questions about the Steelers’ red-zone efficiency and their ability to convert yards into points.

Running back Najee Harris played a pivotal role, carrying the ball 15 times for 99 yards at an impressive 6.6 yards per carry, punctuating his performance with a touchdown on the ground. Pickett’s favorite target in the passing game was tight end Pat Freiermuth, who caught nine passes for 120 yards, showcasing his reliability in crucial situations.

Examining the season statistics, Pickett leads the Steelers in passing yards with 2,000, maintaining an average of 181.8 yards per game. His completion rate stands at 61.8%, accompanied by six touchdown passes and four interceptions. In the rushing department, Harris has been a workhorse with 143 carries for 598 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver George Pickens and tight end Freiermuth have been reliable targets, while T.J. Watt has been a defensive standout with 13.5 sacks, 41 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss.

Defensively, Elandon Roberts and Levi Wallace have contributed significantly, combining for 102 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. The Steelers’ defensive prowess, particularly Watt’s ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, adds a layer of complexity to the Cardinals’ offensive game plan.

In terms of betting trends, the Steelers have been a consistent performer against the spread, securing seven wins in 11 games this season. However, their games have tended to stay under the set point totals, hitting the over on just two occasions out of 11 (18.2%), a determinant for the NFL lines.

Phoenix Reckoning: Cardinals soar for vengeance against the steel curtain

Shifting focus to the Cardinals, they are coming off a challenging 37-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 256 yards, completing 60.0% of his passes with one touchdown and no interceptions. Murray also added a rushing touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat ability. However, the Cardinals’ struggles against the Rams, particularly in converting offensive yards into points, raise concerns about their consistency.

Running back James Conner faced challenges in the ground game, managing just 27 yards on six carries. Receiver Marquise Brown emerged as a bright spot, hauling in six receptions for 88 yards at an average of 14.7 yards per reception. The Cardinals’ offensive leaders include Brown in receiving, Conner in rushing, and Murray in both passing and rushing.

Defensively, Jalen Thompson, Dennis Gardeck, and Zaven Collins have been standout performers for the Cardinals. Thompson leads the team with 55 tackles, while Gardeck has been a disruptive force with seven tackles for loss and five sacks. Collins has contributed 30 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. However, the absence of significant tackles for loss from Marco Wilson highlights a potential area for defensive improvement.

In the realm of betting, the Cardinals have recorded five wins against the spread in 12 games. Notably, when facing point spreads of 5.5 points or more, they hold a 3-4 against the spread record. The Cardinals’ games have tended to go over the total, surpassing the set point totals in seven out of 12 opportunities (58.3%), determinant for the NFL odds.