Vikings: What are the Chances…?

The Steelers are currently a five point favorite over the undefeated Vikings. That’s too much. If I were a betting man, I’d bet the Vikings. Don’t get me wrong. The Steelers have a good chance of winning — in fact I’m picking them to win (55 percent chance) — but even if Pittsburgh comes away with a victory, it will likely be by a narrow margin.

What gives me pause is the fact that the Steelers have been unable to put together a complete game thus far in 2009. And it’s going to take a 60-minute effort to defeat a team as good as Minnesota.

The key matchup in the game figures to be Steelers left tackle Max Starks versus Vikings DE Jared Allen.

“What are the Chances...?” is 4-2 in 2009 and 43-15 all-time.

Browns: What are the Chances...?

Last I checked the Steelers were a 14 point favorite over the Browns, which sounds about right, except if trends continue Pittsburgh will lose focus in the fourth quarter and fail to cover. I give the Steelers an 85 percent chance of winning this game - which I am in Pittsburgh to attend, I'm happy to say. The Steelers should be able to run the ball on Cleveland, and it's hard to see the Browns' offense thriving (regardless of who plays QB) against Pittsburgh's D.

"What are the Chances...?" is 3-2 in 2009 and 42-15 all-time.

Steelers fans losing to Lions fans in Chunky Soup contest

Attention Steelers fans. As of this moment, we’re being outvoted by Detroit Lions fans in this week’s Click for Cans matchup by a count of 9,655 – 8,733. That means our undefeated 4-0 record in the contest is in serious jeopardy. Jump in and vote for the Steelers to help ensure a fourth quarter comeback.

Lions: What are the Chances…?

The chances figure to be pretty good that the Steelers will defeat the Detroit Lions, even without the services of starting RB Willie Parker and starting safety Troy Polamalu. Last I checked, the Steelers were 10.5 point favorites, which sounds about right.

No doubt the Steelers will feel right at home in Detroit, as Ford Field was the site of the one of the team’s recent Super Bowl victories, and plenty of Steelers fans will no doubt be in attendance. So let’s assign the Steelers an 85 percent chance of winning.

What are the Chances…? is just 2-2 thus far in 2009, but 41-15 all-time.

Chargers: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers have betrayed me two weeks in a row. But I'm going to pick them to win for a third consecutive week, hoping the third time is the charm. Still, I don't see the Steelers as a 6.5 point favorite, as the oddmakers do. More than likely, it will be a close game, if the Steelers pull it out at all. I'll assign the Steelers a 60 percent chance of winning this near must-win home game.

"What are the Chances...." is 1-2 thus far in 2009, and 40-15 all-time.