Novig prices
Steelers stand pat at trade deadline as Bills, Broncos, Jaguars and Chiefs load up
Pittsburgh made no moves before the 4 p.m. deadline. Kansas City landed Josh Downs, and Buffalo, Denver and Jacksonville added defenders.
The NFL trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. Tuesday and the Pittsburgh Steelers made no moves. Several of the AFC teams standing between them and a deep January run used draft picks to fill holes. Yahoo Sports reported that Pittsburgh decided its current roster will have to be enough to protect its lead in the AFC North.
The deal that hits closest to home came from Kansas City. Yahoo Sports described Josh Downs as a possible receiver target for Pittsburgh. The Chiefs got him from Indianapolis for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks and also received a 2027 seventh-rounder in the deal. The other receiver linked to the Steelers, Jacksonville's Brian Thomas Jr., stayed put. Steelers Now cited ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on the Jaguars' plan to keep him. That means Pittsburgh's receiving corps stays as it is for the final nine games.
The rest of the conference spent on defense. Buffalo, at 7-1 and on top of the AFC, sent second- and fifth-round picks to Tennessee for safety Amani Hooker, whose five interceptions tie for the league lead. Denver, at 7-2, gave the Chargers fourth- and fifth-round picks for linebacker Daiyan Henley. Jacksonville, at 6-2, was the busiest team of all. The Jaguars added safety Jessie Bates III from Atlanta, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from New Orleans and defensive tackle Jordan Davis from Philadelphia, and they gave up their 2027 first- and second-round picks along the way. Pittsburgh plays at Jacksonville on Monday Night Football in Week 14. Audacy also listed Baltimore among the teams that made deals. Behind the Steel Curtain noted that the division was otherwise quiet, with the Ravens' trade for quarterback Jacoby Brissett the only notable AFC North move in the past week.
The case for patience starts with the record. Pittsburgh is 6-2 and has won three straight: 26-19 at Tampa Bay, 16-10 over New Orleans and 27-6 over Cleveland. The defense has allowed 35 points total across those three games. The team's only losses were a 20-3 defeat at New England and a 27-24 loss at Cleveland.
What it means for Cincinnati
The roster that skipped the deadline goes to Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 15, on NBC. Pittsburgh won the first meeting 30-27 at home. Even so, the board for the rematch has the Bengals favored. Novig, one of 10 venues listing the game, prices Cincinnati at -174 on the moneyline and Pittsburgh at +170. The spread is Bengals -3.5, which Novig lists at +102, with the Steelers +3.5 at -108. Sportsbook hold runs 3.0% to 5.0% on both markets.
The total is where the venues differ. Novig has it at 49.5, with the over at +102 and the under at -111. Hard Rock Bet has the best over price at 48.5 for -110, a full point lower. BetMGM's -110 at 49.5 is the best under price. That number is high for this team. Pittsburgh's eight games have averaged 40.5 combined points, and its last four finished at 56, 45, 26 and 33.
The week after brings a trip to Philadelphia, where the early board has Pittsburgh favored. Novig has the Steelers at -223, and bet365's -196 is the best price on Pittsburgh among the five venues. Pittsburgh also has a 4.5-point edge on the spread.