Washington vs. Steelers injury report, odds, spread: James Conner likely out, Ben Roethlisberger expected to play

For the first time in modern NFL history, a team will follow a Wednesday afternoon game with a Monday afternoon one as the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers host the Washington Football Team in the first of a Monday doubleheader. Kickoff is 5 p.m. ET from the Steel City and Pittsburgh is a 6.5-point favorite on the William Hill Sportsbook NFL odds as it tries to win an 11th straight game on a Monday. The Steelers likely will have to do so without top running back James Conner, and while QB Ben Roethlisberger is questionable it's expected Big Ben will go.

This could set up as a major trap game for the Steelers off a rivalry game vs. Baltimore under very unusual COVID-19 circumstances last Wednesday and ahead of trip to AFC East-leading Buffalo on Sunday night in Week 14 in what could be an AFC Championship Game preview. Washington is no slouch at 4-7 and on a two-game winning streak, is on extra rest after playing on Thanksgiving and could win the NFC East.

Since Monday Night Football debuted in 1970, the longest winning streak has been 14 in a row by the Raiders from 1975-81. The Seahawks (2005-16) are second with 11 consecutive victories and then the Steelers third with a 10-game run that began in 2014. Technically, this will be Monday Evening Football for a few hours.

We noted last week that Pittsburgh lost pass-rushing linebacker Bud Dupree, second on the team in sacks and forced fumbles, to a torn ACL in the win over Baltimore. Conner missed that one after testing positive for COVID-19 and reportedly will not play Monday. While many people are fine after testing positive, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2015 while at the University of Pittsburgh so that's worrisome.

Benny Snell took over as the featured back vs. the Ravens and carried 18 times for 60 yards while catching three passes for 33 yards. Pittsburgh became the 13th team in the Super Bowl Era to start a season 11-0. The previous 12 went 9-3 in their 12th game and have won seven in a row.

Roethlisberger landed on the injured list over the weekend with a knee injury but practiced Sunday so he'll be in there. Kicker Chris Boswell (hip) is listed as doubtful. Boswell has made 18 of 19 field goals this season, including a career-high 59-yarder, and has hit 31 of 35 extra points. Matthew Wright, undrafted in 2019 out of Central Florida, would kick if Boswell can't. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt was activated Saturday from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Washington, meanwhile, trashed the Cowboys 41-16 in Dallas on Thanksgiving behind another big game from rising star rookie running back Antonio Gibson, who rushed for 115 yards and three scores. He's making a late push to catch Chargers QB Justin Herbert for Offensive Rookie of the Year as Gibson has scored in six straight games.

It appears Washington, which has lost six in a row to Pittsburgh, is pretty healthy entering Monday's game. Top wideout Terry McLaurin is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he's expected to play.

In a very unusual statistic, Washington has lost 14 consecutive games against the spread (1-13 SU) on extended rest -- i.e. more than the usual week in between games. A total of 72 percent of the spread action at William Hill is on the Steelers.

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