The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to SoFi Stadium fresh out of a bye week to face the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers are set to welcome back their No. 1 wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, who has missed each of the past four games.
On the other hand, the Rams will be without running back Kyren Williams, who is expected to miss some time due to an ankle injury.
As the Steelers add a key weapon back into the mix, the Rams lose a key weapon and a significant part of their offense. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the game’s outcome.
Steelers vs Rams Odds
NFL odds used for this Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of date and time ET.
- Moneyline: Rams (-162) • Steelers (+138)
- Spread: Rams -3 (-112) • Steelers +3 (-108)
- Total Points: Over 43.5 (-112) • Under 43.5 (-108)
- Implied Score: Rams 23.5 Steelers 20.5
Steelers vs Rams Predictions
Score Pick: Rams 23, Steelers 20
Even with the Steelers welcoming back Diontae Johnson and the Rams missing Kyren Williams, the Rams are the better team led by the better quarterback.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense should have no problem moving the ball down the field against a Steelers defense that ranks 30th in the NFL in opponent yards per game (389.4).
The Steelers offense has struggled immensely in 2023 under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The Steelers are a bottom-three offense in the NFL in terms of points per game (15.8) through the first six weeks of the season.
Steelers vs Rams Best Bets & Props
Brett Maher Over 1.5 Field Goals Made (-105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 units
The Rams currently rank seventh in the NFL in yards per game (367.0). Combine this with the Steelers’ propensity to give up yards, and it should put Rams kicker Brett Maher in a position to attempt several field goals.
Maher has attempted no less than three field goals in five of six games he’s played this season, making at least three field goals in each one of those games.
The Steelers defensive woes, combined with Maher’s consistency, make this my NFL bet of the day.
Cooper Kupp 100+ Receiving Yards (+115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Since returning from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Rams’ first four games of the 2023 season, Cooper Kupp has quickly re-established himself as the engine of the Rams offense in just two weeks.
The Rams have wasted no time making Kupp the offense’s focal point upon his return. In his first two games back, Kupp averaged 10.5 targets per game to go with 133 receiving yards.
Now, he faces a Steelers defensive unit that has struggled against the pass, ranking 25th in the NFL in opponent passing yards per game (245.6). Expect Matthew Stafford to look Kupp’s way early and often in this game.
Rams Score 21-30 Points (+140)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
While the Steelers give up yards at a high rate, they don’t allow many points. Through six weeks, they’ve given up 22 points per game to opposing offenses, doing a solid job of bending but not breaking defensively.
Despite the Rams’ ability to generate offense and move the ball with relative ease compared to the rest of the NFL, it hasn’t resulted in high-scoring outputs.
Expect more of the same from both teams, with the Rams finding a way to score somewhere between 21 and 30 points in this game.
Steelers vs Rams Same Game Parlay
Steelers vs Rams SGP (+140)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
- Puka Nacua 50+ Receiving Yards (-200)
- Brett Maher Over 1.5 Field Goals Made (-105)
Despite the return of Cooper Kupp, rookie sensation Puka Nacua has remained a key cog in the Rams’ offense. In the two games with Kupp, Nacua is still averaging nine targets per game. In that span, Nacua has averaged 48.5 receiving yards per game.
Without Kyren Williams to help the Rams offense remain balanced and the Steelers’ defense honest, the Steelers will devote a lot of defensive attention to Kupp, which should create advantageous matchups for Nacua.
Additionally, Brett Maher has been so consistent as a kicker and sees ample opportunity that we are doubling down on his field goal prop.
