For tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup, don’t expect there to be many points. The New England Patriots are on a three-game streak of scoring seven points or less, including getting shutout last week against a bottom-five Los Angeles Chargers defense. While the Patriots are last in points per game, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t far behind, as they’re the 28th-ranked offense.
When the Patriots vs. Steelers odds came out, it was no surprise to see the total open at 32.5. Since Sunday night, the total has dropped even further, however, which begs the question — is this the lowest total in recent NFL history?
Patriots vs. Steelers Odds: Lowest Total in 18 Years
The consensus total for the Patriots vs. Steelers odds is currently at 30.5 points. If this number stands, it will be the lowest in an NFL game since the 2005 season, when there were two games that closed with the same total of 30 — Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears in Week 11 and the Bears vs. Steelers in Week 14.
If the total drops below 30 points, it would be the first NFL game with a total lower than 30 since 1993 — when there were three games all on the same day with over/unders of 29.5 or lower — and they all went over.
The TNF game between the Pats and Steelers has a total of 30 right now. It would mark the 6th time since 1986 in which an NFL game was at 30 or lower
The over is 4-0-1 in the previous 5
All 3 games below 30 total were on 12/26/93. No snow, but very low temps and wind in NE,…
— David Bearman (@DavidBearmanPFN) December 5, 2023
Anyone who has watched the Patriots in recent weeks isn’t surprised by this historically low total. Last week, New England became the first team since 1938 to lose three straight games where they allowed 10 points or fewer.
While their defense has been really impressive during this stretch, this stat is more of an indictment of their offense, which, to put it kindly, has been lifeless.
“The rationale for such a low total includes both teams’ defensive stoutness and a plethora of injuries” Ethan Useloff, trader at PointsBet/Fanatics told Pro Football Network.
“The Patriots have conceded just 26 points in their last three contests, yet their scoring output has been worse at just 13. Rhamondre Stevenson and Demario Douglas aren’t playing, which further diminishes the Patriots’ lackluster offense.
“As for Pittsburgh, Mitchell Trubisky having to step in for [Kenny] Pickett only pushes this total down further, as does Najee Harris not practicing thus far on the short week. With an overwhelming amount of action coming for the under, this total may dip under 30, contingent on injury news.”
If you’re interested in taking the under in this game but you’re scared off by the low total, think again. Since 2020, unders in games with totals of 37 or less are 23-4-1, including 3-0 in the last two weeks.
MORE: Patriots vs. Steelers Picks and Best Bets To Score a Touchdown
Even with oddsmakers making adjustments over the course of the season to the totals for Patriots and Steelers games, the under is still a combined 19-5 between them in 2023.
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