Steelers vs. Colts Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
The Steelers and Colts enter Week 15 deadlocked with four other teams in the battle for the final two wild cards in the AFC. However, the Steelers have done themselves no favours while losing and failing to cover in three of their past four games. The Colts return home after seeing a four-game straight up and against the spread win streak snapped by last week’s crushing 34-14 loss in Cincinnati. Indianapolis has also produced disappointing results on home turf, going 2-9 SU in their past 11 including a trio of outright losses as betting chalk.
The Colts’ recent dismal performance at home has not prevented them from emerging as slim 1.5-point favourites to win on the NFL Week 15 odds. The Steelers are listed as +105 underdogs on the NFL moneyline, and the total is pegged at 42.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Colts have muscled their way into the AFC playoff picture by claiming victory over beatable opponents. Indeed, this team’s recent 4-0 surge came against four teams that have combined to win just 15 total games so far this season while going 0-4 SU in their four games to date against team’s currently sporting winning records. Indianapolis has also been lit up with regularity during their recent home swoon, allowing 29 or more points in five of their past seven home dates. While the Colts fell to defeat in each of those contests, the high scoring has helped fuel a 7-1 run for the OVER when Indy plays a home.
Already struggling to generate offence when starting quarterback Kenny Pickett was healthy, the Steelers’ scoring woes have deepened with the team averaging just 13.5 points per game during their current 1-3 SU run. Overall, Pittsburgh has scored 10 or fewer points five times during its first 13 games. However, a stout defence has regularly come to the rescue, particularly on the road, where the Steelers have won seven of nine while allowing more than 17 points on just one occasion.
Pittsburgh Steelers
With Kenny Pickett on the shelf, the task of running the Steelers’ moribund offence has been placed into the hands of Mitch Trubisky, with middling results. Trubisky has managed to find the end zone in each of his two recent starts, and added a short scoring run in last week’s loss to the Patriots. However, he managed to guide the Pittsburgh into the Pats redzone just once, and squandered a golden opportunity to convert a turnover deep in New England territory late in the third quarter, instead turning the ball over on downs. With the Steelers’ feeble passing game failing to convert, there is added pressure on rusher Najee Harris. However, Harris needs to be better after running for just 29 yards last week, but has run for TDs in two of three road appearances.
Indianapolis Colts
Faced with a far tougher opponent than any they had seen during their preceding 4-0 run, the Colts wilted in last weekend’s date, particularly after recess. After spotting the Bengals an early 14-0 lead, the Colts stormed back to tie the game before the half. But Indy up little resistance after the break, compiling just 92 total yards and seeing their lone drive into the redzone end with an interception. Quarterback Gardner Minshew and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. have remained a dynamic duo. Pittman pulled in eight targets for 95 yards last weekend, and has averaged over 100 receiving yards over the past three weeks, but has just one TD to show for his efforts. The Colts are also feeling the absence of injured star rusher Jonathan Taylor, and have averaged just 50,5 rushing yards and no scores in the two games he has missed.
PIT
IND