The Pittsburgh Steelers, coming off a bye, travel cross-country to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon in an NFL Week 7 nonconference matchup. The Steelers vs. Rams outcome will have playoff implications for both franchises.
This is the second of three trips out West for the Steelers, who never left the Eastern Time Zone last season.
The Rams were listed as a 3-point favorite when the Westgate SuperBook posted odds Sunday night, and the line hasn't budged as of Friday, as we look at odds, props, and predictions for this affair.
Back in May, when the SuperBook listed odds on this game for the first time, Pittsburgh was a 1-point favorite with an over/under total of only 38.5 points.
On the ATS chart, the Rams (3-3 straight up) are 4-1-1 against the spread this season, which is quite an improvement from last year's 6-9-2 mark. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is 3-2 against the line this year and 3-2 straight up despite being an underdog in four games.
As for over/under records, LA has gone under in four of its six games. Pittsburgh has gone under in all but one of its five outings.
Betting odds for Steelers vs. Rams: Point spread, moneyline, total
Here's the latest NFL betting odds for Steelers vs. Rams:
The schedule maker has given the Rams an atomic wedgie with four games over the next nine weeks against teams coming off a bye. That's the most for any squad in the past six years.
However, teams with a week's rest have gone only .500 against the spread since 2022, including 1-3 last week. Pittsburgh has fared especially well after a bye under coach Mike Tomlin the past six seasons, going 6-0 straight up and 4-2 ATS. One of the losses against the line occurred in 2019 when the Steelers beat Miami 27-14 as a 14-point favorite.
Speaking of cross-country travel, in the Steelers' last western journey, they were 23-18 victors in Las Vegas as a three-point underdog despite coming off a short week.
The Steelers and Rams haven't met since 2019, when host Pittsburgh won 17-12 as a four-point dog. It was the Steelers' fourth win in a row in the series.
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Steelers vs. Rams injury report
Here is the current injury report for the Steelers vs. Rams matchup:
Steelers betting news
The Steelers have relied heavily on their defense this season since their injury-plagued offense has generated only five TDs, tied for a league low.
There were high hopes second-year QB Kenny Pickett would blossom after leading the Steelers to five straight victories to close last season in which he played the whole game.
However, he's only the 27th-rated passer this year, and the team's ground game is the lone one in the league that hasn't produced a TD.
The Steelers' offense will get a significant boost this week with the return of WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (knee). Johnson was the team's leading receiver last year; Freiermuth was third.
T.J. Watt, the league leader with eight sacks, is scheduled to start despite suffering a dislocated finger two weeks ago. He was not listed on the initial injury report.
Rams betting news
The Rams head into this game hurting at running back.
Kyren Williams is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury suffered in last week's home victory over Arizona. He had a league-best 158 rushing yards in Week 6 and stands fourth on the NFL rushing chart with 456 yards.
Even backup Ronnie Rivers (knee) is out, leaving coach Sean McVay to choose among the next three guys on the depth chart to fill in -- Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, and Myles Gaskin. They have a combined 10 rushing yards this season.
QB Matthew Stafford, who is third in the league with passes thrown, probably will be going to the air even more this week without his top-flight running game. He's got a couple of studs to target in veteran Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua, who's tied for the league league with 50 receptions.
Steelers vs. Rams props
Let's look at some prop bets for the Steelers vs. Rams at top-rated sportsbook apps nationwide.
Alternate Point Spreads (BetMGM):
- Over 31.5: -750
- Under 31.5: +460
- Over 37.5: -265
- Under 37.5: +200
- Over 43.5: -122
- Under -104
- Over 49.5: +186
- Under 49.5: -245
- Over 55.5: +400
- Under 55.5: -520
Winning Margin (FanDuel):
- Steelers by 1-13 Points: +180
- Steelers by 14+ Points: +120
- Rams by 1-13 Points: +120
- Rams by 14+ Points: +380
Will There Be Overtime (FanDuel):
- Yes: +1400
- No: +3000
Steelers vs. Rams predictions
Oddly, LA enters the game as a favorite despite being short-handed in the backfield and facing a team on extended rest that's rather healthy for a change.
It's not like the Rams will have a real home-field advantage with all the Steelers fans gobbling up tickets at SoFi Stadium.
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Pickett is getting two key receivers back from injury to join leading receiver George Pickens. Pickens, averaging 17.9 yards on 22 receptions, has been solid but unable to carry an entire unit that sorely missed Johnson.
Prediction: Steelers and the points with the under.
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How to watch Steelers vs. Rams
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 22
- Kickoff: 2:05 p.m. EDT
- Location: SoFi Stadium -- Inglewood, CA
- Where to Watch: Fox
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