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MNF Opinion
SystematicSports.com
December 23, 2002
9:05pm Eastern Time
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy Hi 73º/ Lo 62º
Under 40 Total
TAMPA BAY (-4½) 17 –Pittsburgh 14
Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida (Bermuda Grass / 65,000)
The Bucs come looking to blast Pittsburgh on their way to a division crown. Winners in 6 of their last 7 games, the Bucs are one of the best teams, across the board, in the league. The offense is averaging 23ppg on 318ypg. Surprisingly (but not when you consider their RB situation), only 94 of those yards are coming on the ground- something incongruous with Bucs teams of the past. However, it doesn’t matter what this offense does, so long as it gets a few TD’s on the board, cuz the Bucs defense is making all the noise. The D is allowing a microscopic 13ppg on 250ypg! This unit is especially tough against the pass (151 YP allowed per game), and the Steelers will play right their hand.
The Steelers enter the fray as winners in 3 of their last 4-games, but QB Maddox seems to have lost a good deal of his magic courtesy of a phantom hit and hospital stay. Even so, the Steelers are averaging 376ypg while scoring 24ppg. A pass heavy offense (244 YP per) is balanced nicely by the strong 1-2 rushing attack (132 YR per) of RB’s Bettis and Zereoue. Problem is there are no holes in this Bucs D….As for the Steeler defense, the unit is holding opposing offenses to 22ppg on a stingy 295ypg. The unit excels against the run (85 YR per), something that won’t be a major factor considering their opponent….
Simply put, this one will be all about defense. The Steelers are 10-3-1 ATS as a dog over the last 2-seasons, while the Bucs are 9-5 ATS this year. These two rugged defenses won’t give up much, and the Bucs should come out a winner. But, easy money seems to be UNDER 40.
Recommendation: Under 40 Total Points
December 23, 2002
9:05pm Eastern Time
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy Hi 73º/ Lo 62º
Under 40 Total
TAMPA BAY (-4½) 17 –Pittsburgh 14
Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida (Bermuda Grass / 65,000)
The Bucs come looking to blast Pittsburgh on their way to a division crown. Winners in 6 of their last 7 games, the Bucs are one of the best teams, across the board, in the league. The offense is averaging 23ppg on 318ypg. Surprisingly (but not when you consider their RB situation), only 94 of those yards are coming on the ground- something incongruous with Bucs teams of the past. However, it doesn’t matter what this offense does, so long as it gets a few TD’s on the board, cuz the Bucs defense is making all the noise. The D is allowing a microscopic 13ppg on 250ypg! This unit is especially tough against the pass (151 YP allowed per game), and the Steelers will play right their hand.
The Steelers enter the fray as winners in 3 of their last 4-games, but QB Maddox seems to have lost a good deal of his magic courtesy of a phantom hit and hospital stay. Even so, the Steelers are averaging 376ypg while scoring 24ppg. A pass heavy offense (244 YP per) is balanced nicely by the strong 1-2 rushing attack (132 YR per) of RB’s Bettis and Zereoue. Problem is there are no holes in this Bucs D….As for the Steeler defense, the unit is holding opposing offenses to 22ppg on a stingy 295ypg. The unit excels against the run (85 YR per), something that won’t be a major factor considering their opponent….
Simply put, this one will be all about defense. The Steelers are 10-3-1 ATS as a dog over the last 2-seasons, while the Bucs are 9-5 ATS this year. These two rugged defenses won’t give up much, and the Bucs should come out a winner. But, easy money seems to be UNDER 40.
Recommendation: Under 40 Total Points