49ers vs Steelers Betting Odds: San Francisco a Surer Bet on the Road

The San Francisco 49ers have set their sights on getting back to the Super Bowl after injuries crippled their chances last season. Quarterback Brock Purdy is healthy again, boosting their odds as one of the favorites in the NFC. Can they live up to those expectations?

San Francisco kicks off its season Sunday (1 p.m. ET) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers are a 2-point road favorite (-110) and -130 to win outright, while the Steelers are +110. The projected total, meanwhile, has dropped slightly from 43.5 to 42 (-110).

Read on as we break down both teams in our 49ers vs Steelers betting odds preview.

Purdy’s Back, Bosa is Not

The San Francisco 49ers are saddled with big expectations after falling a step short of the Super Bowl. San Francisco is projected for 11.0 regular season wins (EV Over, -130 Under) and has the second-best odds to win the NFC at +375, a smidge behind the Philadelphia Eagles (+325). The 49ers are also +1000 to win the Super Bowl, one of five teams with 10/1 odds or better.

Whether they cash in on those expectations will largely depend on the health and performance of Brock Purdy. The former “Mr. Irrelevant” — the nickname given to the last player selected in the NFL Draft — came out of nowhere last season to start for San Francisco at quarterback. In nine games, Purdy completed 67.1% of his passes for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.

After recovering from offseason elbow surgery to repair a torn UCL, Purdy — a +4000 longshot to win MVP — won the 49ers’ quarterback job this summer over Sam Darnold and Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021. Lance was then traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick.

With Purdy back, much of the focus in recent days has shifted to the other side of the ball. Defensive end Nick Bosa remains in a stalemate with the team over a long-term contract and has considered sitting out if a new deal is not reached. Bosa is coming off an outstanding season with the 49ers, in which he was the NFL sack leader with 18.5 and won Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa, who didn’t show up to the team’s facility Wednesday for their first official practice, could sit out Week 1. He’s prominent enough to swing the 49ers vs Steelers betting odds.

Pittsburgh Closer to Whole

Despite finishing .500 or better for the 19th straight season, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) missed the playoffs last winter. Former first-round pick Kenny Pickett showed promise after taking over as the starter at quarterback, passing for 2,404 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. But Pickett was also intercepted nine times, something he must correct for the Steelers to have any shot of climbing back up the NFL standings.

Oddsmakers are expecting a similar performance from Pittsburgh this season, projecting them for 8.5 wins (-150 Over, +120 Under). The Steelers also have the longest AFC North odds at +450 and are a +2800 longshot to win the AFC.

But fortunes can change in a hurry in the NFL, and Pittsburgh is certainly equipped to make a jump if they play to their potential. Pickett, a +600 MVP pick, is part of that. So, too, is defensive end TJ Watt, who missed most of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. Watt already has five double-digit sack seasons, including an NFL record 22.5 in 2021. He’s now +700 to win another NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, matching the second-best odds behind Dallas’ Micah Parsons (+550). Watt is also +6000 for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Healthy again, Watt should help stabilize a defense that allowed the 10th-fewest points on average (20.4).

Handicapping the Game

If healthy, the 49ers are a surefire Super Bowl contender. The odds reflect that. But Pittsburgh? One of the NFL’s most storied franchises has become something of a mystery post-Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers might be a playoff team, but Pickett hasn’t shown enough for anyone to accurately make that assessment. Injuries clouded their outlook last season, costing them a chance at a third straight wild card.

Until Pickett shows more, it’s hard to put much trust in Pittsburgh, even at home. Because of that, San Francisco is a deserving 2-point favorite in the 49ers vs Steelers betting odds.

For NFL betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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