Hangover might hinder Steelers

One week after getting beat up by the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are trying to regroup.

Roethlisberger has a sore right shoulder that forced him to miss two days of practice. He did work out Friday and expects to start today, when the Steelers host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But the hangover from a 34-13 loss to undefeated New England might still be bothering the Steelers, according to Vegas Insider handicapper Jamie Tursini.

"Does playing the Patriots affect the psyche of the players for the following week's game? Are they also physically spent? The Patriots are such an intimidating force this season, especially their high-powered offense, that the week after playing them deserves examination," Tursini said.

Pittsburgh, 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread at home, is a 31/2-point favorite over the Jaguars. Inclement weather is in the forecast. Tursini's power ratings favor the Steelers by 21/2 points, and he's siding with the Jaguars, who are 4-2 on the road.

After facing the Patriots, teams are 4-8 straight up and 5-7 against the spread the next week. As favorites the following week, those teams are only 2-5 against the spread.

Tursini (vegasinsider.com) said the most recent results stand out even more. Over the past five weeks, teams are 1-4 straight up and 0-5 against the spread after playing New England.

The Jaguars and Steelers have met in each of the past three seasons, with Jacksonville covering all three as an underdog and winning the last two straight up. Both AFC teams are 9-4 straight up this season.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio's team has been a tough 'dog for years. As an away underdog since 2004, Jacksonville is 11-7 straight up and 13-4-1 ATS.

Pittsburgh's defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL, and is No. 2 against the run while allowing only 72.6 yards per game. But Tursini said that is "very misleading" because the Steelers have faced only one team in the league's top 13 in rushing.

Jacksonville has the No. 2 rushing offense in the league (143.8 yards per game) and the duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew has the potential to cause problems for Pittsburgh.

"The Jaguars will give the Steelers all they can handle and then some. Take the points," said Tursini, who offers his opinions on the rest of today's Week 15 lineup:

• Arizona at New Orleans (-31/2): Both teams are 6-7 and one game behind Minnesota for the second NFC wild-card spot. Both offenses are dealing with injuries. Believe it or not, this is the first time all year the Cardinals are on the road in consecutive weeks. The Saints are coming off a Monday night win, but are only 1-5 against the spread at home. I have to pass on this game.

• Atlanta at Tampa Bay (-13): The nightmare season continues for Atlanta as former coach Bobby Petrino leaves for Arkansas. The Buccaneers need one win to clinch the NFC South and are double-digit favorites for only the fourth time (2-1 straight up and against the spread previously) under coach Jon Gruden. They are 5-1 ATS at home, and the Falcons are 1-5 ATS on the road. But I like this under the total of 38. My total is 351/2, and rain and high winds are expected.

• Baltimore (-3) at Miami: I want no part of this matchup. The winless Dolphins have lost six games by three points, but they appear to have given up. Miami has surrendered 78 points the past two weeks. And I'm not laying any points on the road with the Ravens.

• Buffalo at Cleveland (-51/2): This game features two of the three worst defenses in the league. But a huge edge on offense will be the key here for the Browns, who are 5-1 against the spread at home. Cleveland has allowed only 16 sacks this season, and quarterback Derek Anderson and his superb receiving unit will be too much. Go with the Browns.

• Green Bay (-81/2) at St. Louis: Injuries throughout the season have robbed the Rams. The Packers are still looking to clinch a first-round playoff bye. The Packers have played three games indoors -- I count Dallas as one -- and have averaged 29 points. The Rams' offensive line injuries have led to 40 sacks. Green Bay will pressure the St. Louis QB all day, so take the Packers.

• New York Jets at New England (-21): Will Patriots coach Bill Belichick try to run up the score as much as possible? Most likely. The forecast is for rain or snow and winds over 20 mph. Normally I would take these points in a heartbeat. But I just can't back the offensively challenged Jets, who are making their third road trip in four weeks.

• Seattle (-71/2) at Carolina: There is no way can I back the Panthers, who are 1-5 straight up and against the spread at home. But this is the Seahawks' third road game in four weeks, and since 2002, Seattle is 0-2 ATS as a road favorite of seven points or more. I'll pass.

• Tennessee (-31/2) at Kansas City: Arrowhead Stadium no longer is the home-field advantage it once was as the Chiefs are only 1-5-1 ATS at home. Titans quarterback Vince Young, having a horrible sophomore season, has passed for only seven touchdowns with 16 interceptions. His passer rating is a pathetic 66.9. Yet the Titans are road favorites. It expects to be a low-scoring game, and I don't know how Tennessee will react after blowing last week's lead to San Diego. Another pass.

• Indianapolis (-101/2) at Oakland: Nine times since 2002, the Colts have played three road games in four weeks. In the final game of each stretch, they are only 4-4-1 against the spread with an average score of 24.8 to 19.1. They have numerous defensive injuries and this is their last road game of the season. I think Oakland puts up a fight against a weary, half-interested Indianapolis club. Take the points.

• Detroit at San Diego (-91/2): I'm not interested in this game. The Chargers pulled off a miracle overtime win at Tennessee last week. But defensive star Shawne Merriman is out. The Lions are losers of five straight and have four double-digit road losses. Three of the losses were by more than 30 points.

• Philadelphia at Dallas (-10): Some talk in Philadelphia is that this is the Eagles' Super Bowl against their hated division rival. But I can't even back them as double-digit road 'dogs, which has been rare in the coach Andy Reid era. The Eagles are coming off two heart-wrenching home losses, and do they have any gas in the tank? The Cowboys offense is just cruising and should have little problem here. I lean toward laying the points.

• Washington at New York Giants (-41/2): Horrible weather is expected. This line has been bet down from as high as 61/2, and the total opened at 41. Washington finally had a chance to take a break after the death of safety Sean Taylor and playing two games in a five-day period. I'm passing, but if the weather forecast holds up and the winds are really that bad, it's definitely worth looking at the underdog and the under. The total has dropped to 36.

Compiled by Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans.