1* Take Pittsburgh – Minnesota UNDER (#241-242)

I’m not expecting much offensive production from the Pittsburgh Steelers  in the Hal of Fame Game on Sunday.  Mike Tomlin’s quote speaks volumes about the Steelers ‘throwaway’ approach to their preseason opener:  “We don't prepare a lot for the first game whether is the Hall of Fame game or first preseason game. We kind of play rules football, and don't spend time from a game-plan standpoint.”

The results don’t lie.  Pittsburgh scored 16 points in their preseason opener last year and 13 in their preseason opener in 2013.  They’ve gone 5-1 to the Under in their last six preseason openers under Coach Tomlin.  Forget QB Ben Roethlisberger, who won’t play more than a series or two, if he suits up at all.  Veteran backup Bruce Gradkowski is out for sure, leaving untested youngsters Tajh Boyd and Landry Jones to get the lion’s share of snaps at quarterback.  That’s not a duo primed for success, plain and simple.

But the Steelers did one thing on defense this offseason primed to pay dividends right here in Game 1 of the preseason – they got younger and faster!  Longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau is out, and we can expect Pittsburgh defenders to be flying all over the field.  It’s not like the Vikings are primed to put up points in bunches.  Teddy Bridgewater and veteran backup Shaun Hill won’t be in the game for long – it’s going to be Mike Kafka and Taylor Heinicke behind center for most of the game.  Again, that’s not a duo primed for much success, even in August.

We’ve seen only one Over cash in the last five years in these Hall of Fame Games – they have a strong tendency to be rather ugly to watch.  Three of the last four have produced 30 combined points or less, a trend worth riding as the NFL Preseason begins on Sunday.  Take the UNDER.