Will the 11-0 Steelers Finish Undefeated?
03 December 2020
In a rarity for the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers remained perfect on the season with a Wednesday afternoon victory over division rival Baltimore. It was just the second Wednesday game played in the NFL since 1950.
The other was in 2012 when the Giants and Cowboys season opener was moved from Thursday to Wednesday to prevent a conflict with President Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention.
Also, by having a Wednesday game this week, the NFL will complete a first in 2020 by playing a game on every day of the week (assuming the Friday night Christmas game between Minnesota and New Orleans isn't moved).
Five More to 16-0
No matter the day of the week, Pittsburgh keeps winning. And the odds of the Steelers finishing the regular season 16-0 are now down to +350.
The Steelers remaining schedule, with each team's current Dunkel Index Rating, is as follows:
- Washington (129.510 - 28th in NFL)
- at Buffalo (131.617 - 11th in NFL)
- at Cincinnati (129.571 - 30th in NFL)
- Indianapolis (128.398 - 12th in NFL)
- at Cleveland (132.144 - 15th in NFL)
The Steelers, at 143.541 (second in the NFL), will be favored in all of their remaining games. But with three games against current playoff teams - Buffalo, Indianapolis and Cleveland - it will not be an easy road.
First to go 19-0?
In 1972, the Miami Dolphins finished the season 17-0 and remain the only team to successfully finish an NFL season unbeaten. The New England Patriots are the closest to finishing 19-0, losing Super Bowl XLII after beginning the season with 18 straight wins.
So can the Steelers remain unbeaten all the way through Super Bowl LV? With a great defense and a veteran quarterback, of course they can.
But again, oddsmakers don't think it's likely to happen. A wager on the Steelers to finish the season 19-0 pays +800.
The top-ranked team on the Dunkel Index remains the Kansas City Chiefs at 149.482. And the Chiefs remain the favorite to win the Super Bowl at +250.
Pittsburgh to win the Super Bowl, but to do it without the pressure of 19-0, is at +500. New Orleans, ranked third in the Dunkel Index, is the third-most likely Super Bowl champion at +650.
Will the Jets Finish 0-16?
We've had 0-16 before. The Cleveland Browns achieved the infamy in 2017, and the Detroit Lions did it in 2008. Will the Jets lose their final five games of 2020 and join the club?
The Jets are 124.815 in the Dunkel Index, which is naturally dead last in the NFL. And oddsmakers think 0-16 is far more likely than 16-0, paying only +140 for the Jets to lose out.
New York's remaining schedule with their opponent's Dunkel Index rating is as follows:
- Las Vegas (126.323 - 14th in NFL)
- at Seattle (134.253 - 7th in NFL)
- at LA Rams (138.057 - 9th in NFL)
- Cleveland (132.144 - 15th in NFL)
- at New England (130.206 - 17th in NFL)
Place your bets accordingly. Whether it's on the Steelers, Jets or any other NFL team, you can get all your picks on our NFL picks page.
