• Bookies
  • News
  • Steelers Super Bowl, AFC Odds Fall With Roethlisberger Out

Steelers Super Bowl, AFC Odds Fall With Roethlisberger Out

Marcus Mosher for Bookies.com

Marcus Mosher  | 

Steelers Super Bowl, AFC Odds Fall With Roethlisberger Out

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Visit site
Used 66 Times Today
Popular in Ohio
Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. Must be 21+ and present in OH. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Things couldn’t have gone worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers to start the NFL season. In a year that was supposed to be drama-free, 2019 has suddenly turned gloomy for the Steelers.

In Week 1, the Steelers were blown-out by the Patriots in New England, 33-3. Pittsburgh's offense could never get on track as the Steelers managed just 308 total yards . In Week 2, the Steelers returned home but didn't find any better results as they lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 28-26.

For most teams, an 0-2 start is bad enough for their chances at making the playoffs. For the Steelers, it’s the least of their worries.

Roethlisberger Out For The Season

On Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would miss the remainder of the 2019 season with an elbow injury.

Roethlisberger suffered the injury in the first half against Seattle and did not return. Second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph replaced him and led an impressive comeback, but they fell just short, losing 28-26.

As you would expect, the injury news has significant implications on NFL betting regarding the Steelers. Heading into the season, the Steelers' odds to win the Super Bowl ranged from +1400 to +2200, depending on the sportsbook.

As of Monday, those odds have dropped down to +3300 on 888sport and all the way down to +6600 on Pointsbet. Not only have Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl odds dropped, but their chances of winning the division have greatly decreased as well.

Heading into Week 2, Pittsburgh was still considered the favorite to win the AFC North. But after the loss to Seattle and the Roethlisberger’s injury news, those odds have dropped to +425 on DraftKings. Pittsburgh now has the third-best odds in the AFC North, behind the Ravens (-125) and the Browns (+200).

Pittsburgh’s Season Prospects

After starting 0-2 and with their franchise quarterback gone, it's going to be tough for the Steelers to find a way to squeak into the playoffs. Pittsburgh was a trendy Super Bowl pick earlier this offseason after the team traded away Antonio Brown, but those aspirations seem ... unlikely now.

It will be fascinating to see how sportsbooks handicap Steelers’ games going forward without Roethlisberger behind center. Late Monday afternoon, Pittsburgh was a seven-point underdog for the Week 3 contest against the 49ers in San Francisco.

Roethlisberger finished the 2019 season completing 56 percent of his passes for 351 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He's 37, so it's fair to wonder if Roethlisberger's career might be over given the significance of the injury and his age.

About the Author

Marcus Mosher for Bookies.com
Marcus Mosher
Marcus Mosher covers the NFL for Bookies.com. The managing editor of The Raiders Wire is also a contributor to The Athletic DFW, Pro Football Weekly and FanSided.