by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Dec 14, 2023
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET, Saturday, December 16, 2023
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Where to Watch: NFL Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Steelers +2.5, Colts -2.5; Over/Under: 42 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Steelers +2.5, Colts -2.5; Over/Under: 42 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Steelers +2.5, Colts -2.5; Over/Under: 42 points
Season Record
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6 (3rd place, AFC North)
Indianapolis Colts: 7-6 (2nd place, AFC South)
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Recent Form
Pittsburgh Steelers: lost their last game at home against the New England Patriots 21-18.
Indianapolis Colts: lost their last game on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals 34-14.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Indianapolis Colts Preview and Analysis
The Steelers are entering this game with a 7-6 record overall and they have a 3-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-4 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the New England Patriots 21-18. Mitch Trubisky was the starting QB and he completed 22/35 passes for 190 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Mitch Trubisky led the team in rushing yards with 30 and 1 TD. Diontae Johnson led the receivers with 57 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Cameron Heyward led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Cameron Heyward and Elandon Roberts each led the defense in sacks with 1. Mykal Walker came away with the only interception for them in that game.
The Colts are entering this game with a 7-6 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-4 in their home games, 4-2 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Cincinnati Bengals 34-14. Gardner Minshew was the starting QB and he completed 26/39 passes for 240 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Zack Moss led the team in rushing yards with 28. Michael Pittman Jr. led the receivers with 95 receiving yards on 8 receptions. Zaire Franklin led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 8 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack in that one. Ronnie Harrison Jr. came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Steelers vs Colts Prediction
The current betting odds have the Steelers listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Steelers have looked good this season with their 7-6 record overall as they are right in the Wild Card hunt. They are also 3-1 in their division games and still have a chance to win their division if the Ravens continue to slip. The Steelers haven't looked bad in their road games this season either with their 3-2 road record and after losing on Thursday night to the Patriots last week, they will be looking to bounce back here after such a bad loss. Meanwhile, the Colts have also looked good this season with their 7-6 record overall which also has them right in the Wild Card race for the AFC. They have also looked a lot worse in their home games this year though as they are only 2-4 in their home games. The Colts are also going to be looking to bounce back at home from their loss but the Steelers have the much better defense while the Colts have struggled all year to keep points off the board. Trubisky wasn't good last week but he will be a lot better in this offense with more time to prepare for the Colts and the Steelers will lean on that great defense to get a much needed bounce back win here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Steelers to cover the spread in this game.
Steelers Colts Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Saturday, December 16, 2023 (4:30 pm ET start time) is Steelers 20 Colts 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Pittsburgh Steelers: 16-7 ATS in games where the line is +3 to -3. 14-6 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses against the spread. 10-3 UNDER in all games. 17-7 UNDER in games where the line is +3 to -3. 11-4 UNDER off 1 or more straight overs.
Indianapolis Colts: 14-22 ATS after gaining 75 or less rushing yards in 2 straight games. 23-31 ATS in a home game where the total is between 38.5 and 42 points. 12-7 UNDER as a favorite. 8-4 UNDER after allowing 6 or more yards/play in their previous game.
Key Injuries
Pittsburgh Steelers: D. Johnson (WR) Ques Sat - Knee. N. Harris (RB) Ques Sat - Knee. T. Watt (LB) Ques Sat - Concussion. A. Highsmith (LB) Ques Sat - Concussion. J. Pierre (CB) Ques Sat - Shoulder. K. Pickett (QB) Early Jan - Ankle. E. Riley (S) Out indefinitely - Ankle. K. Neal (S) Out indefinitely - Ribs. K. Alexander (LB) I-R - Achilles. C. Holcomb (LB) I-R - Knee. R. Wren (DT) I-R - Achilles. C. Trice (DB) I-R - Leg.
Indianapolis Colts: J. Brents (CB) Prob Sat - Quadricep. J. Woods (TE) out for season - Hamstring. E. Speed (LB) Ques Sat - Knee. B. Smith (OT) Ques Sat - Knee. J. Taylor (RB) Early Jan - Thumb. A. Richardson (QB) I-R - Shoulder. E. Hull (RB) I-R - Knee. D. Flowers (CB) I-R - Achilles. D. Pinter (G) I-R - Ankle. T. Leo (DE) I-R - Undisclosed. G. Avery (DE) I-R - Knee. A. Dulin (WR) I-R - Knee. J. Witt (OT) I-R - Hip. D. Scott (S) I-R - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“This stings. But we'll be back.” - Mike Tomlin after his team’s loss against the Patriots in their last game.
“It was just one of those days. It was not our day. I have full confidence in that group in that locker room that we’ll get it cleaned up.” - Shane Steichen after his team’s loss against the Bengals in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Pickens, George
WR Johnson, Diontae
WR Robinson II, Allen
TE Freiermuth, Pat
QB Pickett, Kenny
RB Harris, Najee
Indianapolis Colts
WR Pierce, Alec
WR Pittman Jr., Michael
WR Downs, Josh
TE Granson, Kylen
QB Minshew, Gardner
RB Taylor, Jonathan
Statistical Leaders
Pittsburgh Steelers
Passing: K. Pickett (2070)
Rushing: N. Harris (690)
Receiving: G. Pickens (767)
Touchdowns: N. Harris (4)
Indianapolis Colts
Passing: G. Minshew (2524)
Rushing: Z. Moss (751)
Receiving: M. Pittman Jr. (984)
Touchdowns: Z. Moss (6)
Coaches:
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin (17th season)
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
