Pittsburgh @ Indianapolis (PIT -2, 40)
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Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts
It’s been a strange start to the season for the Indianapolis Colts this year, so far struggling to live up to the hype granted to them going into Week 1.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson has made several wow plays, as we grew used to seeing with the Florida Gators, but the struggles are still evident. For every splash play he makes, there are at least two that go the other way, either by missed throws or ugly interceptions that you would hope not to see from your franchise QB.
That being said, we have to remember that Richardson is still effectively a rookie, and doesn’t have even close to the levels of experience that Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix do playing the position, despite both coming out a year after Richardson.
They currently rank dead last in pass completion percentage (49%), and 24th in passing yards per game (184). Richardson has missed a wide open receiver for a touchdown multiple times, and they’re just not quite clicking.
It isn’t what you would expect from a Shane Steichen offense, but credit where it’s due, their ground game has been impressive. Jonathan Taylor looks back to his best, rushing for 100+ yards in back to back games, with three rushing touchdowns on the year already.
The Colts are 4th in yards per rush, and 11th in rushing yards per game (131.3), they just need to tidy up the pass game and find some consistency with the offense.
However, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the team to do that against. They are the hardest team to score on, currently allowing 8.7 points per game, and 229 yards per game, both the best numbers in the league. While the Colts are struggling to convert on third down, the Steelers are the hardest team to convert on, giving up 21% on third down so far this year.
One of the key difficulties the Colts will face is just how well Pittsburgh matchup against the run, allowing 3.5 yards per rush (2nd in the NFL), and 71.3 rushing yards per game (also 2nd).
Surely you’d believe things might be easier against them throwing the football though? Wrong. They’re a top ten team in every category against the pass too, including passing yards allowed (158), and completion percentage (61%).
Pittsburgh are averaging 1.7 takeaways per game (6th), and they’re winning the turnover battle too.
Credit should be paid to Justin Fields, who was efficient and decisive with the football in Week 3, and at this point there seems to be no indication of him relinquishing the starting role to Russell Wilson.
Fields completed 78% of his passes in Week 3, going 25 of 32 for 244 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Chargers. Pittsburgh are now 3-0, with the best defense in football, and an offense that can manage a game and control the clock.
Tough matchup for the Colts, but maybe this is their chance to have that breakout game they so badly need in 2024?
J.A. Cavalier swept his NFL Triple Crown in week 3 with The Giants, Broncos, Eagles all 3 Underdogs won "OUTRIGHT" and we smashed 3 two team parlays. He likes the card this week even more. 6-0 NFL Guarantee. 3 straight, 3 parlays. One Week NFL $99 must go 6-0 or entire NFL season free. Straight through Super Bowl
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Colts +1.5