Daily Archives: July 23, 2010

More Poor News for Steelers Noted by Sportsbook Handicappers

The hits continually come to the Steelers and their probability of winning against the online sportsbook odds continue to lessen.

 

The injury to starting offensive tackle Willie Colon is the most recent blow to the Steelers chances vs NFL odds at the NFL betting sportsbook. He will most likely miss the season after he tore his Achilles on Monday. According to his agent Joe Linta, he’s going to undergo season-ending surgery on his right Achilles’ tendon. Linta referred to the injury a “classic torn Achilles” with a recuperation time of 9-12 months. Colon will be eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season, though his agent says he’ll be open to staying with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not favored to be Super Bowl contenders in 2010 by sports book probabilities. For at least the 1st four games of the regular season, the team will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger had been suspended subsequent to allegations, but not formal charges, of sexual misconduct. Provided he follows through with guidelines given to him by officials, he could be back within 4 competitions. He could turn out suspended for 6 if he does not.

 

And at present the Pittsburgh Steelers lose a big part of their offensive line. When a team loses their starting quarterback it’s bad enough but whenever a starting offensive lineman is dropped, it can be just as damaging. The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t have a fantastic offensive line to start with but now it is really going to struggle.

 

Pittsburgh managed to hold it together last season with Roethlisberger scrambling around and making plays. This season they’re going to need a major miracle to move the ball on offense. Byron Leftwich will almost certainly start the four competitions that Roethlisberger misses. He is an skilled backup quarterback. Leftwich is not a mobile quarterback and with the loss of Colon upfront, he is going to get sacked a good deal. This year it figures to be unsightly, but the Steelers give up plenty of sacks anyhow. The loss of Colon also affects the running match with Rashard Mendenhall as the openings will be trickier to find.

 

So many times bettors dismiss the linemen when they look at the football probabilities at the sportsbook. That is an error since a squad can not move the ball devoid of a great offensive line. Pittsburgh’s offensive line was not considered that outstanding to begin with and now they’re going to be significantly substandard. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have difficulty on offense early in the season with the loss of Roethlisberger, Colon and the departure of Santonio Holmes in the off-season.

 

The Steelers are 20-1 longshots at the sports book to win the Super Bowl this year. Thinking about all the issues Pittsburgh is having, those odds are almost certainly optimistic. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the fave at the sportsbook in the AFC North to win their division. That recognition goes to Baltimore. Cincinnati is the defending AFC North champ so the Pittsburgh Steelers may not even finish in second.