Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay NFL Week 3 Odds & Pick

The biggest story heading into Monday night’s NFL Week 3 showdown between the Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay game is the resurgence of Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Harvard alum has played for six other teams in the past, and he took the field for three starts a year ago for Tampa Bay, but he’s never looked like this. In previous seasons, Fitzpatrick has been largely a game manager. In 2017, he averaged 11.49 yards per completion, but in 2018, that has jumped to 17.06. The biggest difference has come on first down, where Fitzpatrick is completing 83.3 percent of his first-down pass attempts and averaging 19.17 yards per attempt on first down. The O-line is a big reason for that difference. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers are scoring — but they’re also getting torched, as they permitted six touchdown passes a week ago against Kansas City, a Steelers franchise record for a visiting opponent. Can Fitzmagic roll on in Week 3? Take a look at our NFL odds preview.

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay NFL Week 3 Odds & Pick

What are the Buccaneers saying about JuJu, T.J. and more? READ: https://t.co/f7kbgZPD9d pic.twitter.com/HqM1CkBtHI

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 21, 2018

When: Monday, September 24, 2018, 8:20pm ET Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL TV: ESPN Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: WatchESPN NFL Odds: Pittsburgh -2.5, O/U 49.5

Why should you bet on the Steelers?

There are some times when a betting line is baffling in its lack of correspondence with game realities. The Steelers should be 0-2, but Cleveland’s kicker missed a field goal in overtime, and the game ended in a 21-21 tie. Last week, the Steelers were able to put up 37 points on Kansas City, but they gave up 42 and fell to 0-1-1 in a game that reminded viewers a lot of the divisional playoff game in which the Steelers and Jaguars combined for more than 80 points, but the Steelers lost at home in a shootout. Ben Roethlisberger played magnificently a week ago, throwing for 452 yards and three touchdowns, and running for another score. Jesse James hauled in five passes for 138 yards and a score. The running game was almost nonexistent, but that didn’t keep the Steelers from flying up and down the field. The issues for the Steelers come on defense, as they don’t mount a pass rush, and they don’t cover receivers well. If you like Pittsburgh, then you think they have fixed those issues enough — or that Fitzpatrick is about to come back down to earth in a big way.

Why should you put your money on the Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay didn’t show much defense in their opener, but they rolled to a 48-40 barnburner of a win in New Orleans in the opener. Then, they clamped down on the Philadelphia offense a week ago, winning in a gritty 27-21 matchup that featured plenty of heat and humidity. Fitzpatrick threw for 402 yards and four scores (and a pick), and DeSean Jackson turned back the clock to catch four passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Buccaneers have things rolling on offense right now, and Pittsburgh doesn’t seem like the defense to stop them. There’s also the fact that Tampa Bay has covered the spread in four straight games. In their last 11 games coming after a win against the spread, they have covered the spread again eight times. Week Three hasn’t been the best for them historically, as they have failed to cover the spread in this week for the last five seasons. However, they look like they have the momentum to turn the tide this time.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’m a huge fan of Big Ben’s competitiveness and the pace he brings to the offense. He looks like he’s firing on all cylinders and is ready to lead the Steelers to some big numbers. However, I’m not sure the Steelers’ defense can keep the Buccaneers’ offense off the field long enough for the Steelers to win. I predict a final score of Tampa Bay 38, Pittsburgh 34.