The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to maintain their hold on first place in the AFC North when they take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday.

The Steelers (8-6) have won two straight, most recently their dominant 28-15 win Monday against the Miami Dolphins. Pittsburgh leads the Baltimore Ravens by one game for the division lead.

The Lions (8-6) are in third place in the NFC North and are two games back of the first-place Chicago Bears with three games left. Detroit has alternated wins and losses over its past 10 games and is coming off a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Here’s how to bet on the Steelers-Lions game and what to expect.

Steelers vs. Lions Predictions and best betsLions -6.5 (-120) at FanDuel SportsbookD.K. Metcalf Over 59.5 receiving yards (-115) at BetMGMOver 51.5 points (-114) at FanDuelJahmyr Gibbs Over 116.5 rushing + receiving yards (-114) at FanDuel

*Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

The Steelers defense has largely bent but not broken this year. But the Lions offense is a different animal, especially at Ford Field.

Detroit is scoring 33.7 points per game at home and has not scored fewer than 24 in any home game. In its seven home games, Detroit is 5-2 with five wins of at least seven points.

So with the Steelers unlikely to have T.J. Watt again for the second straight week, they’ll have a tough time keeping up with the Lions. Pittsburgh’s offense is just 27th in yards per game (288.1) even though it is scoring 24.0 points per game.

But Metcalf should be able to perform again versus the Lions’ porous pass defense. Metcalf is averaging five catches for 101.5 yards over the past two games, and the Lions pass ‘D’ ranks 24th in the NFL (231.1 yards-against per game).

Steelers vs. Lions moneyline odds analysis

The Steelers are a heavy underdog, with odds of about +265. The Lions’ moneyline odds are about -330, which implies about a 76% chance of winning.

Pittsburgh is 3-3 on the road but has dropped three of its past four away from Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers’ lone road win came at Baltimore two weeks ago, 27-22.

The Lions have won two of their past three home games, though not without some drama. Detroit needed to rally to defeat the New York Giants in overtime 34-27, on Nov. 23 and nearly coughed up an 18-point lead in its 44-30 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4.

Why the Lions could win as the favorite

Best odds: -325 at DraftKings

If the Lions can get stops. Detroit is almost certain to score points, but it is also 24th in the NFL in points against per game, which is a major reason why it is in its current predicament, record-wise.

The Steelers aren’t a high-octane offense, but they can put up points both via their offense and defense. The Detroit ‘D’ is giving up 32.25 points per game over its past four, and the Steelers offense has scored at least 27 points in four of their past five.

The Lions defense will need to get after Aaron Rodgers and force the Steelers offense into short possessions.

Why the Steelers could win as the underdog

Best odds: +265 at FanDuel

If the Steelers can run the ball. Pittsburgh ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (92.8) but has topped 100 rushing yards in three of its past five games and is 3-2 in that span.

Detroit’s run defense is 13th (106.7 yards-against per game), but if Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell can get moving on the ground, it would keep Jared Goff and the Lions’ high-octane offense off the field.

Plus, a rushing attack would get the Steelers’ play-action passing game working, which would further open space for Metcalf and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Friermuth.

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