Patriots

Steelers

It’s a classic AFC matchup for two traditional powerhouses in Week 2: Patriots vs Steelers. With 8 Super Bowls between them since 2000, these two sides know all about postseason success. But with new quarterbacks under center, how will they fare, and which way do the NFL betting odds point?

New England has always been a difficult franchise to truly understand. Even while they were racking up constant AFC championship and Super Bowl appearances, few understood how Coach Belichick was running the show. This year is even more difficult to understand. Who will call offensive plays? Who is actually on the staff? Will Mac Jones make the leap to a NFL pro bowl level QB? A classic against an old AFC foe will be a good early-season test for this version of the Pats.

The Steelers is another team that has enjoyed great success, with coach Mike Tomlin maintaining a winning record since he has been at the helm. The Antonio Brown saga aside, Tomlin may never have as difficult a job as he does in 2022. Big Ben has gone, and in his place is a gaggle of possible quarterbacks vying for the job. Who Coach Tomlin picks could determine the team’s fate, and he will be acutely aware of his opposite number this week and his ability to discombobulate a QB.

There isn’t much between these two teams historically, with New England leading 17-16 in the head-to-head record. Recent years have been more lopsided, however, with the Pats taking the spoils in 6 out of 7 meetings. Does this change how you should bet on NFL games? With both teams feeling things out offensively, a safe call in this one would be in a low-scoring affair with less than a field goal between them.

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