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The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2, and coming off their bye week. The Indianapolis Colts are 3-6, and are coming off a Week 9 win over the Houston Texans.
While on paper this seems like an easy pick, the fact the Steelers have struggled, at times, with sub-.500 teams under Mike Tomlin leaves a large amount of doubt in fans’ minds.
The Pittsburgh offense has been underachieving for the majority of the season, but is due for a breakout, and, against a Colts defense which is less than stellar, they could certainly find their groove at Lucas Oil Stadium.
On defense, the Steelers’ pass rush could feast on the Colts’ offensive line. The Indianapolis offensive line gives up 3 sacks a game like Antonio Brown catches passes, meaning they do it often.
All of this, and so much more, makes me think this game is as close to a slam dunk as you can get in the NFL today, but here comes that doubt creeping in again.
Thoughts of the Week 3 loss to the Bears on the road, and the Week 5 loss to the Jaguars flash through my mind, but this game is different. Those aforementioned teams had at least one good side of the football, their defenses, where the Colts struggle on both sides.
To date, the Colts have beaten the 49ers, who haven’t won a game yet, the Browns, who haven’t won a game yet, and the Deshaun Watson-less Texans last week. Add this up, and what do you get?
The first dominant Steelers win of the year.
I wouldn’t be stunned if this game is close early, but if the Steelers don’t turn the ball over and make bone-headed mistakes, like having a field goal blocked, this game should be in the bag.
My prediction:
Steelers - 37
Colts - 17