Jets at Steelers odds, picks and predictions

Aug. 20, 2026Updated Aug. 21, 2026, 12:08 a.m. ET

The New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers clash Friday in the second week of the NFL preseason in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff from Acrisure Stadium is at 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network). Let’s analyze NFL odds around the Jets vs. Steelers odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Jets opened their preseason schedule last Friday, losing at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-14 as 5.5-point favorites with the Over (35.5) cashing. Neither team gained even 300 yards of offense, and Jets QB Bailey Zappe (6 of 10, 55 yards) was picked off twice with one getting returned for a TD. While some starters got action, QB Geno Smith did not.

The Steelers opened the preseason at home Aug. 13 and beat the Green Bay Packers 28-9 as 3-point underdogs with the Under (39) cashing. Their starters sitting out, rookie QB Drew Allar (10 of 13, 153 yards) threw 2 TD passes in the fourth quarter and the defense held the Packers to 160 yards of offense.

Watch the NFL on Fubo!Jets at Steelers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:41 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Jets -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Steelers +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Against the spread (ATS): Jets -1.5 (-110) | Steelers +1.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Jets at Steelers picks and predictionsPrediction

Steelers 24, Jets 20

The Jets will play their starters, and Smith is expected to make his preseason debut. Allar will get the starter for the Steelers, who will rest QBs Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.

Is that enough to give the Jets an early lead to hold on to?

Preseason games are impossible to truly handicap because fringe roster players are the guys in the games in the fourth quarter deciding games. It is too uncertain and volatile to predict.

The best way to bet the preseason is to pick a few underdogs with plus odds on the moneyline and hope more win than not.

Home teams last week were 6-9-1.

BET STEELERS (+105).

Since we like betting the underdog in preseason games on the moneyline, you get better value than with the spread.

PASS.

Eleven of the 16 preseason games last week had totals below 38. Eight of the 16 preseason games in the second week in 2025 had totals over 37.

The Steelers did score 28 and the Jets scored 14. Smith and the Jets’ starters should get some points at least.

BET OVER 37.5 (-105).

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