Steelers vs. Cowboys Betting Preview: Money Pours in on Pittsburgh and Over

At 7-0, the Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with the 1978 squad for the best start in franchise history. In a physical AFC North battle against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win 28-24.

The win had major implications for the Steelers’ futures markets. Their Super Bowl odds improved from +950 to +600. They have the second-best odds behind the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers are now favorites to win the AFC North (-320).

During the last three weeks, the Steelers’ opponents’ record at kickoff was a combined 14-2. For Week Nine, they visit the 2-6 Dallas Cowboys. It was the last game to make the Week Nine menu at PA online sportsbooks. This is likely due to the questionable status of Cowboys backup quarterback Andy Dalton. Also, there is the question of COVID-19 testing. Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens defensive back who played every snap during Week Eight, tested positive. As of Wednesday morning, no new cases have emerged on either side.

Opening lines have the Steelers as 13.5-point favorites with the over/under at 41.5. The Steelers are the biggest Week Nine favorites; only the Chiefs have a double-digit point spread (-10.5), too. By Sunday, the Steelers had moved to 14.5-point favorites.

Steelers getting crazy majority of public support for Week 9

Betting splits from FanDuel as of Sunday morning:

• 84% of the money is on the Steelers (-14.5) to cover the spread.
• 88% of the money is on the Steelers (-950) on the moneyline.
• 79% of the money is on the over (43.5).

FanDuel’s Director of Publicity Kevin Hennessy said handle has been strong for the Steelers’ games recently. The Steelers cracked the Top 5 for handle for Sunday’s Week Eight games. He added:

“Part of this is due to typical local support in the Pennsylvania market, as well as the fact that they were playing a big game against division rivals. We anticipate support to continue to increase as they continue to win games.”

Other news from FanDuel on Friday morning included mentions of the only undefeated team in the NFL.

Here is the latest breakdown on the “Any team to go 16-0” market:

•  Yes 92.14%. (+1200)/No 7.86% (-3500)

The top three by bet in the Offensive Rookie of the Year market are Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Joe Burrow and Jonathan Taylor. But Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (+2000) is FanDuel’s biggest liability in that market.

At BetRivers, the Steelers are backed by 99% of the ML handle and 96% of the spread handle, the strongest early backing of any Week Nine team.

Steelers are stellar for bettors

At the midway point of the season, the Steelers are the lone undefeated team. They aren’t only tops in terms of standings, at 6-1, they have the best ATS.

DraftKings Director of Operations Johnny Avello told Play Pennsylvania that the Steelers have always been a popular team, but their undefeated record and penchant for covering has increased their betting base.

“No question about it,” said Avello when asked if handle has increased for Steelers games as they continue to win.

“They perform well as underdogs and favorites. When you have a team that is making you money covering the spread as a favorite and as an underdog, when you are able to take them on a moneyline, they are going to become a fan favorite.”

Public betting splits for Steelers vs. Cowboys at DraftKings as of Friday:

• 95% of the money is on the Steelers (-14) to cover the spread.
• 96% of the money is on the Steelers (-910) on the moneyline.
• 83% of the money is on the over (41.5).

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys odds

Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday afternoon, followed by live odds until game time.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 odds tracker

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys betting preview

The Steelers sputtered to start against the Ravens. A pick-six by Robert Spillane brought their only first-half points. Ben Roethlisberger threw for just 42 yards in the first half, and the Steelers trailed by 10 at the break. Roethlisberger rallied and tossed two touchdowns, including the game winner, to rookie Chase Claypool.

Ravens quarterback and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson threw two costly interceptions that resulted in 14 points for the Steelers. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick forced a Jackson fumble on a fourth-and-three at the Steelers 8-yard line before the two-minute warning (the Steelers recovered the fumble). The Ravens did get one last chance to win when they got the ball back with 52 seconds left in the game. Fitzpatrick broke up Jackson’s waning-seconds end zone throw to preserve the 28-24 win.

With Dak Prescott out for the season (ankle) and Andy Dalton in concussion protocol, the Dallas Cowboys turned to rookie seventh-round draft pick Ben DiNucci to start Week Eight against NFC East rivals Philadelphia Eagles. The Sunday Night Football game wasn’t a marquee matchup. Both teams struggled to score, and Dallas led at halftime 9-7.

Despite four turnovers by Carson Wentz, the Cowboys still couldn’t capitalize. In the second half, Wentz connected with Travis Fulgham for a touchdown and Rodney McLeod returned a fumble for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 23-9 victory. What was once a promising season has turned sour for the Cowboys. They have lost three straight and are a league-worst 0-8 ATS.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys betting stats and info from DraftKings:

• The Steelers are 6-1 ATS; the Cowboys are 0-8 ATS.
• Pittsburgh has the best ATS in the league; the Cowboys have the worst.
• Four of the Steelers’ games have hit the over; same for the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys have won the first half in seven of the last eight games as home underdogs.

Week 9 promos at PA sportsbook apps

Unibet:

• Beat the Spread Bonus: $1 bonus for every point your team beats the spread by.
• Pigskin Parlay: Instant 50% cash boost when creating an eight-team parlay.

DraftKings:

• New user deposit bonus: Get a 20% bonus, up to $500.
• Parlay boost: Get a 20% profit boost on a two+ leg parlay for any NFL game during Week Nine.

FanDuel:

• Risk-Free $1,000 bet for new users: New users at FanDuel can get up to a $1,000 free bet. Register, make a deposit and place a wager on the FanDuel sportsbook app. Then, if the first wager loses, FanDuel will refund your losses in the form of a free bet up to $1,000.
• Same-Game Parlay: Place a same-game parlay on any Week Nine game, and if you don’t win, get a refund of up to $10 in site credit.

BetRivers Free NFL Profit Boost Every Week:

• Log in to BetRivers online sportsbook every Sunday and get a 50% profit boost (max $50 bet).

Fox Bet

• New customers only: $1 bet pays $50 if the Pittsburgh Steelers score versus the Dallas Cowboys

Steelers vs. Cowboys Week 9 bet boosts

FanDuel 

(Max bet $50)

• Cowboys (+15.5) and Bears (+7.5) boosted from (+454) to +550
• Steelers (-6.5) and Chiefs (-3.5) boosted from (-133) to +100
• James Conner to score the first touchdown boosted from (+460) to +500

DraftKings

• Chase Claypool to score a touchdown and Steelers to win boosted from (+260) to +300

Fox Bet

• Roethlisberger two or more passing TDs and Steelers to win boosted from (-150) to +100
• Roethlisberger to have a passer rating of 125 or higher boosted from (+150) to +200
• James Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ezekiel Elliot all to score one+ TD boosted from (+550) to +700
• Roethlisberger to have a perfect passer rating (158.3) boosted from (+1500) to +2000
• Final score: Steelers 28, Cowboys 14 boosted from (+8000) to +10000

BetRivers

• Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 300+ yards and Steelers to win (yes) +150

Complete Week 9 NFL odds at PA sportsbooks

Lead image credit: AP Photo/Nick Wass