NFL Picks Week 9: Steelers and Eagles Getting Too Much Respect from Oddsmakers

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles each got big wins in Week 8.

Not only did they win, but they did it against meaningful opponents.

The Steelers haven't been great this year, but they are 6-2 and coming off the best looking performance of the season.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are 3-4 and nearly every game is a must-win.

Both teams are home favorites this week and both playing in primetime.

They are both, however, getting too much respect on the line.

Steelers (-3.5) vs. Ravens 

This week's Sunday Night Football matchup will help decide who takes the lead in the AFC North.

The Cincinnati Bengals are very much in the mix as well, but they have yet to play the Steelers or the Ravens this year.

The last time Baltimore and Pittsburgh met it was a blood bath.

The Ravens not only beat the life out of the Steelers' offensive line, but they made the defending AFC champions look old and sluggish.

Pittsburgh has since found their stride a bit while the Ravens have proven they are prone to letdowns, but can dominate at any time.

The Steelers have covered two straight games and the Ravens have lost two straight games against the spread.

But none of that makes up for the matchup differences we saw in Week 1.

There is no trusting the Steelers until they avenge a loss to Baltimore.

Eagles (-7) vs. Bears

Philadelphia is starting to level out after their rocky start.

The four-game skid they endured from the middle of September to the beginning of October is a thing of the past after their wins over Washington and Dallas.

But even having said that, the Eagles are far from trustworthy.

This week they welcome in a Bears team that has trouble on the road, but is better than they've been given credit for. Their three losses have come courtesy of the Packers, Saints and Lions.

A touchdown in Philadelphia isn't unthinkable, but the Eagles haven't covered a spread over 3.5 points all season long.

They are also 1-5 against the spread versus NFC North opponents.

Seven points is simply too much to lay.