Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the play that catapulted the Pittsburgh Steelers from obscurity to dominance in the 70s and into being one of the most most stable and successful organizations in the NFL.
The game will take place on the heels of the death of former running back, Franco Harris, who was the player who caught the Immaculate Reception back in 1972.
As a Pittsburgher, I don’t remember when I first learned about Franco Harris and the play that changed the course of football history. It’s like learning about George Washington as an American, he’s a figure that’s just always loomed larger than life. Someone that you feel you’ve always known, the man who more than any other, birthed Steeler Nation.
The Steelers now have another running-back named Harris. He might not win four Super Bowls and end his career in Canton, but for today we’re backing him and the Steelers in the prop market.
Best NFL Prop Bets for Raiders vs. Steelers
- Najee Harris Anytime TD +125
- Najee Harris Over 58.5 Rush Yards (-113)
- Jaylen Warren Over 25.5 Rush Yards (-105)
Najee Harris Anytime TD +125
He’s a Steelers running back named Harris, it’ll be an incredibly special moment when he reaches the end zone this week. He’s scored eight touchdowns on the season, but five of those eight have come in his last five games. The Raiders were gashed on the ground last week by New England. The Patriots rushed for 206 yards and the Steelers will want to keep the ball on the ground and out of Kenny Pickett’s tiny hands in the bad weather.
Najee Harris Over 58.5 Rush Yards (-113)
I hated the pick when it happened, I never thought a first-round pick on a running back was a good idea and I’ve mostly been proven right. However, Najee has been much better lately, running more downhill, being decisive and playing physical, everything he was billed as out of Alabama. I also think he’s gotten better the more he’s split snaps with Jaylen Warren and the Steelers could have a good little 1-2 punch out of the backfield for a couple of years. Last week he went for 86 yards on 24 carries and he’s got a chance to reach 1,000 yards on the year.
Jaylen Warren Over 25.5 Rush Yards (-105)
I’m all in on Steelers running backs this week. Why wouldn’t I be? The Raiders have been bad against the run, especially lately, and the Steelers have been running it well. They rushed for 156 yards against Carolina, and a big part of the success is that they haven’t suffered any injuries on the offensive line. Even a subpar unit will start to play well if you give them this many reps together.
Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE
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