NFL Week 17 Betting – Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, January 3rd – Land Shark Stadium, Miami – 1:00 PM ET
NFL Point Spread: Pittsburgh -3, O/U: 45.5
Both of these teams are still mathematically alive for the playoffs, but both teams not a lot of help to reach the postseason. The Steelers need a win coupled with two of the following teams to lose; the Jets, the Ravens and the Texans.
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Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, both Houston and New York are playing teams that have little to play for and will most likely sit their starters for most of the game.
The Dolphins need a small miracle to reach the postseason. Miami has to win against Pittsburgh and Baltimore, New York, Houston and Jacksonville will all have to lose. Only then can Miami clinch the sixth seed and make the playoffs for the second straight year.
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What The Steelers Have To Do To Win
At some point during the season the Steelers changed from a run/defense team to a pass-happy squad that ranks fifth in the league in passing offense. That may have served well over the past two games, but it is also one of the reasons Pittsburgh were caught in a five-game losing streak mid-season. 
The Steelers defense has been comical this season without Troy Polamalu, who is once again unlikely to play this Sunday. Over the past six games, Pittsburgh has allowed 23.8 points a game and have intercepted only a single pass. Not exactly the stats one expects from the defending Super Bowl Champions.
What The Dolphins Have To Do To Win
Miami has to exploit the Steelers extremely weak pass defense, especially since star runner Ricky Williams isn’t 100%. Williams hurt his shoulder in last week’s loss to Houston, and although he is expected to play he is not expected to be at full strength. Luckily Chad Henne has been able to put up serious yards. In his last four games, the second-year pro has averaged 306.5 yards per game and has thrown for four touchdowns. However, he has also been picked off six times. He’s lucky to be facing a pass defense that has one pick in six games, although he still has to be very sharp if he wants to lead Miami back to the postseason.
Outlook & Pick
The Steelers just haven’t looked like Super Bowl team all year, and this seems to be the end of the line for the defending champs. Even if they do beat Miami, there is very little chance that two of either Houston, New York or Baltimore will lose considering who they’re playing. Many pundits will point to different reasons why Pittsburgh fell this year, however it is likely none will look at the obvious reason: Troy Polamalu’s acceptance to appear on the cover of Madden 2010. The Madden Curse strikes again.
NFL Point Spread Pick: Pittsburgh -3 & under 45.5
Prop Betting: Team To Score First And Score In First Six Minutes
Miami will start their offense in the air and challenge the weak Pittsburgh secondary. Pittsburgh will most likely to do the same, although they’ll probably want to try running on Miami’s progressively weak rush defense.
Prop Betting Pick: Miami Will Score First, No Score In First Six Minutes
