The pickThe locked winner and its win probability. A priced game's number is built on the market's no-vig price; the model's own margin and total sit beside the market's below, as context.
backtest · not locked
Win chance
79%Pittsburgh SteelersStrong
No moneyline was priced into this call, so it is the model's own number.
Model marginThe model's own predicted margin beside the market's number. Context for reading the game: the model makes no spread pick.
PIT by 10.7market PIT by 5.5
Model totalThe model's own predicted total points beside the market's number. Context for reading the game: the model makes no over/under pick.
38.1 pointsmarket 37.5
Backtest, not locked: this game finished before the model ran on it; the calls were reconstructed from pre-game information.
Why the model calls itThe reasons behind the winner call, in plain sentences drawn from this page's numbers.
The model has Pittsburgh Steelers at 79% to win, with the market at PIT by 5.5.
PIT has the advantage in big plays: PIT explosive rush rate ranks #9, CLE defends it at #15; the other way CLE #27 into PIT's #19.
PIT has the advantage in rushing: PIT rushing ranks #7, CLE defends it at #15; the other way CLE #25 into PIT's #26.
Rest: PIT has 7 more days since its last game (PIT 14d, CLE 7d).
Home field is with PIT, which supports the pick.
ContextThe model makes it PIT by 10.7 against a market PIT by 5.5: 5.2 points of daylight in PIT's favour. The model's total is 38.1 against a line of 37.5: in line with the market.The model makes no spread or over/under pick: neither has shown an edge over the market in our backtests.
Matchup context: who has the advantageWhich team has the advantage in each area, and how clearly. Context for reading the game, not model inputs.
Model PIT by 10.7 · market PIT by 5.5
ⓘContext, not inputs. These areas show how the two sides match up so you can read the game. The model's call comes from the teams' overall ratings, the quarterback, rest, home field and weather, not from these tiles.
Passing game
=
Even
CLE passing ranks #32, PIT defends it at #16; the other way PIT #22 into CLE's #3.
Rushing game
PIT
Slight advantage
PIT rushing ranks #7, CLE defends it at #15; the other way CLE #25 into PIT's #26.
Third down & red zone
=
Even
PIT red-zone touchdown rate ranks #18, CLE defends it at #17; the other way CLE #25 into PIT's #5.
Big plays
PIT
Slight advantage
PIT explosive rush rate ranks #9, CLE defends it at #15; the other way CLE #27 into PIT's #19.
Pass protection & rush
PIT
Slight advantage
PIT sack rate ranks #12, CLE defends it at #2; the other way CLE #25 into PIT's #9.
Ball security
PIT
Clear advantage
PIT turnovers / game ranks #7, CLE defends it at #23; the other way CLE #29 into PIT's #5.
Form (last 5)
PIT
Slight advantage
PIT −2.2 per game over the last five, CLE −4.8.
Market
PIT
Clear advantage
Consensus has PIT by 5.5; the model says PIT by 10.7.
the market, for comparison
Where the lines sitWhere the market's number and the model's sit among every final margin and total in the league's history; the highlighted bars are the games that landed between the two.
3,893 NFL games since 2012
Marginmarket PIT by 5.5 · model PIT by 10.7
Mkt PIT 5.5
Model PIT 10.7
← CLE by 28tiePIT by 28 →
14.5% of NFL games land between the two numbers. The model’s number is across the key numbers 7 and 6. Most common margins: 3 (14.5%), 7 (8.6%), 6 (6.7%), 14 (5.1%).
Totalmarket 37.5 · model 38.1
Mkt 37.5
Model 38.1
20 pts4672 pts
1.9% of NFL games finish between 37.5 and 38.1. The league’s median total since 2012 is 45.
The model alone was backtested walk-forward (each game priced only from what came before it). Since the winner call started following the market, the calibration that counts is the record of locked picks on the results page. Margin and total are context, not picks. Model reads, not personalized advice. For information only, not betting advice. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
