The Indianapolis Colts travel to Pittsburgh amidst a five-game losing streak against the Steelers after having only won in Pittsburgh once since moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis.
This season seems different as the Colts have won three straight and the five of the last six. They are also 2-1 on the road, beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers are dealing with backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, too. The 3-4 Steelers look to bounce back to .500 after the Steel Curtain defense has carried the team. The Colts look to make the push for the one seed while sitting at 5-2.
How can each team sit in the driver’s seat? Well, the visiting Colts need their weapons to play.
On the offensive side of the field, quarterback Jacoby Brissett needs to release the ball sooner than later. The Steelers’ front seven have been tormenting quarterbacks since Week 3 and have no reason to stop, so the Colts need to move the ball before the defense gets in the backfield.
Also, the Steelers’ defensive back core has been improving since the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick. However, the running back against linebacker matchups are the Steelers’ weakness. Marlon Mack is not a receiving back, but he needs to make plays out of the backfield.
Lastly, the Colts defensively must utilize Malik Hooker wisely. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed the impact Hooker has on the Colts’ defense. If he can shut down the deep game and force the Steelers to dump the ball, the Steelers will fail to convert first downs.
On the other side of the field, the Steelers’ offense needs Rudolph to get off to a hot start. Unlike the Dolphins, if the Steelers fall early, it will be tough to fight back. Rudolph must look for Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster in deep plays.
Defensively, the Steelers have to shut down T.Y. Hilton. Hilton’s speed and awareness can beat any Steelers defensive back. Yet, if the Steelers play smart and send the right amount of people, they can break through the right side of the line and create turnovers.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Pittsburgh, Penn.
Stadium: Heinz Field
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Steelers -1.0
Over/Under: Over 42.5 (-110), Under 42.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Colts (-105), Steelers (-115)
Odds show that this game will be a 50-50 matchup. With the Steelers sitting as small favorites, they should be a decent pick as well as taking the moneyline. The over/under scenario is more complicated. The average points per game for the Colts is 22.6 while the Steelers sit right behind at 21.4. With this being another 50-50 shot, take a small bet on the over since both offenses are beginning to heat up.
Prediction
Although the Colts would seem like a favorite, Pittsburgh has never been kind to them. Unfortunately, Sunday is not the day, either. A closer matchup for both teams compared to their Week 8 battles, though, could be in store. Don’t be shocked if this comes down to a game-winning drive or an overtime finish.
Colts 24, Steelers 27
