Steelers vs Colts Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in a key game for the teams’ playoff hopes. Both teams are in the hunt for an NFL playoff berth, but can’t afford a loss here. The Steelers have lost three of their last four to fall to 7-6. The Colts saw a four-game winning streak snapped by Cincinnati and are 7-6. The Steelers vs Colts betting preview sees Indianapolis favored by 2.5 points and the total on the game is at 42.

Steelers Winning Despite Ugly Numbers

If you were to look at the stats of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you might have a hard time wondering how they have a winning record. Pittsburgh gets outscored 16.2-19.2 and gets outgained 292.5-344.8. But the Steelers are 7-6 and thanks to a +10 turnover margin for a lot of that.

The Steelers are scoring their 16.2 points against teams that have allowed an average of 20.9 points. Pittsburgh is running the ball fairly well, gaining 4.2 yards a carry against teams that allow 4.1 yards per rush.

But the passing game has been ineffective. The Steelers are averaging just 179.8 yards per game and ranked No. 27 in yards per pass attempt. Kenny Pickett again landed on the NFL injuries report and will miss this game. Mitch Trubisky should get the start.

Pittsburgh’s defense has kept the team in games, allowing 19.2 points per game to teams that average 21.4 points. The Steelers allow 4.2 yards per rush and 6.7 yards per pass attempt. Pittsburgh does make teams travel 17.9 yards to score a point, which is No. 2 in the NFL. So it’s hard to fault the defense.

Colts Look to Bounce Back

The Indianapolis Colts saw their four-game winning streak snapped by Cincinnati last week, and now return home. The Colts have been a better road team this year, but are 4-0 when favored. If the Colts want to make the postseason, they have to win in front of the home fans.

Gardner Minshew hasn’t played bad for the Colts. You know what you’re going to get with Minshew, some great plays and a few awful ones.

But Minshew is No. 12 in the NFL QB rankings 2023, so he’s giving his team a chance to win. The Colts are averaging 24.2 points per game against teams that allow 21.5 points. Indianapolis is rushing for 4.1 yards per carry and gaining 6.4 yards per pass.

The defense hasn’t always held up its end of the bargain, as the Colts are allowing 25.4 points per game. That, along with a decent offense is why Indianapolis is 9-4 in totals this season when most teams are playing to the under. The Steelers are 3-10 in totals. The Colts are allowing 4.2 yards per rush and 6.7 yards per pass attempt.

What to Expect

The Steelers vs Colts betting preview is looking for Pittsburgh to try and get the ground game going. It didn’t do much against New England last game, when Trubisky’s 30 yards led the team.

The Colts aren’t the greatest NFL team at stopping the run. So the Steelers would be wise to try and get something going there. Trubinsky isn’t going to win many games for you if he’s throwing 40 times.

The Colts are going to throw the ball at least 35 times. That’s what Indianapolis does best. Minshew will make some plays and it might not take too many to beat a struggling Pittsburgh offense. He’ll need to take care of the football, but the Colts will give him some chances to make big plays.

Who to Bet On?

The Steelers vs Colts betting preview likes the Colts -2.5. Considering the Steelers just lost at home to the Cardinals and the Patriots, the number seems a little low. Teams who lost their last two games as a home favorite and are now road dogs have gone 29-38-1 (43.3%) dating all the back to 1989.

In the last 10 years, these teams are just 3-12-1. The only other team to fall into this pattern this NFL season was the Denver Broncos. Denver dropped its first two games of the year at home then traveled to Miami. That was the game the Dolphins put up 70 points.

Based on the stats, the NFL predictions have the Colts by 3.8 points. Coupled with a decent situation for Indianapolis, the Colts are the play here.

For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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