PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* Thanksgiving TOP TICKET >> TOP PLAY!
(NFL) Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis,
Point Spread: -9.00 | -105.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -9.00 | -105.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Back-to-back wins by the Indianapolis Colts (reaching 5-5), coupled with the Texans losing Monday night vs. the Raiders (Houston is now 6-4), gives the Colts a chance again in the AFC South. However, QB Andrew Luck has entered into the NFL's concussion protocol and is listed as doubtful for this Thanksgiving night home game with the Steelers. Pittsburgh beat the winless Browns 24-9 last Sunday and coupled with the Ravens' 27-17 loss at Dallas, the Steelers are tied atop the AFC North at 5-5 with Baltimore.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers win at Cleveland last Sunday snapped a four-game slide but Pittsburgh is well aware it must do better at finishing off drives. The Steelers had four drives of at least 11 plays at Cleveland, but settled for field goals on three of them. Ben Roethlisberger was held without a TD pass against the Browns and the game was still in doubt until Javon Hargrave recovered a fumble for a TD late in the fourth quarter. However, Big Ben (64.6%% completions / 266.8 YPG / 20-7 ratio) will be up against the NFL's 32nd-ranked pass D (284.5 YPG), which has also allowed 19 TDs with only three INTs. RB Bell has been an all-purpose monster since returning from a three-game suspension to start the season (he's averaged 142.0 YPG from scrimmage) but last Sunday marked the first time since Week 4 that he gained over 100 yards on the ground. Pittsburgh no longer owns a dominating defense (21.5 PPG ranks 14th on 363.6 YPG ranks 22nd), so getting into the end zone figures to be a must.
Indianapolis: Head coach Chuck Pagano doesn't believe that Luck will be cleared in time to play, so Scott Tolzien, who has played in six games in his six-year career, will get the start. Tolzien is 56-of-91 for 721 yards with just a single TD pass and five INTs in his NFL career. Making Tolzien's job even tougher is the fact that the Colts rank just 24th in rushing, averaging 95.8 YPG.
The pick: These teams have met each of the last two seasons, Big Ben vs. Andrew Luck. Roethlisberger and the Steelers have totally abused the Colts, winning 51-34 in 2014 and 45-10 last year. Roethlisberger's gone 64 of 88 passing for 886 yards with 10 zero INTs. Thanksgiving night it's Big Ben vs. Scott Tolzien. Hard not to make Pittsburgh a 10* play in this one.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers win at Cleveland last Sunday snapped a four-game slide but Pittsburgh is well aware it must do better at finishing off drives. The Steelers had four drives of at least 11 plays at Cleveland, but settled for field goals on three of them. Ben Roethlisberger was held without a TD pass against the Browns and the game was still in doubt until Javon Hargrave recovered a fumble for a TD late in the fourth quarter. However, Big Ben (64.6%% completions / 266.8 YPG / 20-7 ratio) will be up against the NFL's 32nd-ranked pass D (284.5 YPG), which has also allowed 19 TDs with only three INTs. RB Bell has been an all-purpose monster since returning from a three-game suspension to start the season (he's averaged 142.0 YPG from scrimmage) but last Sunday marked the first time since Week 4 that he gained over 100 yards on the ground. Pittsburgh no longer owns a dominating defense (21.5 PPG ranks 14th on 363.6 YPG ranks 22nd), so getting into the end zone figures to be a must.
Indianapolis: Head coach Chuck Pagano doesn't believe that Luck will be cleared in time to play, so Scott Tolzien, who has played in six games in his six-year career, will get the start. Tolzien is 56-of-91 for 721 yards with just a single TD pass and five INTs in his NFL career. Making Tolzien's job even tougher is the fact that the Colts rank just 24th in rushing, averaging 95.8 YPG.
The pick: These teams have met each of the last two seasons, Big Ben vs. Andrew Luck. Roethlisberger and the Steelers have totally abused the Colts, winning 51-34 in 2014 and 45-10 last year. Roethlisberger's gone 64 of 88 passing for 886 yards with 10 zero INTs. Thanksgiving night it's Big Ben vs. Scott Tolzien. Hard not to make Pittsburgh a 10* play in this one.
