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When the New England Patriots take the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they're going to be heavy 7-point favorites. The Steelers are without their two All Pros in center Maurkice Pouncey and running back LeVeon Bell, and without their #2 wide receiver in Martavis Bryant. The Patriots are without wide receiver Brandon LaFell and running back LeGarrette Blount.
When the Patriots are 7+ point favorites over the past five seasons, they have posted a 38-5 record. When the spread is exactly 7 points, the Patriots are 10-0 and have covered on seven occasions.
The over/under is also set at 52, which means that the Patriots are projected to win by a rough score of 29.5 to 22.5. Over the past five seasons, the Patriots have hit the over on 52+ point over/unders on eight of 16 occasions.
The oddsmakers are expecting a high scoring game, and history supports a Patriots victory. What is your prediction for the game?