Game: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Odds: Steelers +2.5, Colts -2.5
Total: 39.5
Tonight’s Monday night football clash features the Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1 SU, 5-6 ATS) hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7, 4-5-1). The Colts are short 2.5-point favorites and are looking to win their first home game under new head coach Jeff Saturday.
Last Sunday, the Colts lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 17-16, but still managed to cover the spread as 6.5-point home underdogs. That moves their ATS record to 2-0 under their new head coach. Indianapolis has played two competitive games for Saturday. NFL fans will get to see how competitive the Colts have been tonight on national television. The Colts came close to defeating the Eagles last week before Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts scored the game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard run with 1:20 left in the game.
The Steelers were 3.5-point home underdogs last week against AFC North rival Cincinnati. At times, Pittsburgh was extremely competitive against the Bengals, but ultimately lost 37-30. While Steelers’ running back Najee Harris quietly put together his two best performances of the season on the ground over the past two weeks, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is still the guy responsible for the team’s success.
Pickett’s performance last week should have been good enough to get a win. He went 25-of-42 for 265 yards and one touchdown. It was the second straight week that Pickett did not throw an interception.
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt returned to the Steelers lineup. However, the Pittsburgh defense allowed more than 20 points for the first time this season.
The best decision Saturday has made so far as the Colts’ head coach was to start veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. Sam Ehlinger, who replaced Ryan earlier this season, had 304 passing yards and one interception in two games. He was sacked 11 times and didn’t really give the Colts much of a chance to win.
Running back Jonathan Taylor has run 44 times for 231 yards and two scores over the past two games. That should help Ryan and his group of receivers in the passing game. The Colts were able to score three touchdowns in a 25-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago.
The total for this game is one of the lowest of the season. That is noteworthy given that tonight’s game will be played in a domed stadium where the weather won’t be an issue. Pittsburgh needs to play like it did in a 20-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago and keep the Colts under 20 points.
Indianapolis has demonstrated it can win games with fewer points scored, which they did in Weeks 3 and 5. The Colts have scored 17 points or less in each of their six losses so far this season. Indy averages 15.7 points per game. That ranks 30th in the NFL and is one spot ahead of Pittsburgh. The Steelers average 15.6 per game.
Not surprisingly, the Under is 4-2 in Pittsburgh’s last six games. For the Colts, the Under is 14-2 in the team’s last 16 games.
Join Oskeim Sports today and save 20% on your first purchase at the online store!