Steelers at Colts
Pittsburgh and Indianapolis collide in a rematch of an earlier contest this year, with a berth in the AFC Championship Game on the line. The Steelers have the second highest odds of winning Super Bowl XL in Detroit at 12/1, while the Colts are currently favored at ‘even’ money.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Indianapolis as a 9 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over Pittsburgh, with the total set at 47 ˝. CBS Sports will provide coverage of Sunday’s matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The Steelers (12-5 straight up, 10-7 against the spread) roughed up Cincinnati last weekend in the wild-card round as a three-point road favorite, 31-17, while the combined 48 points eclipsed the 46 1/2-point closing total. Pittsburgh improved to 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS its last five games overall, with the ‘over’ cashing the previous three outings.
Coach Bill Cowher’s squad quickly found itself in a 10-0 first-quarter hole before scoring a pair of touchdowns in both the second and third quarters. The Steelers finished the contest with advantages in rushing yards (144-84) and turnovers forced (2-0), while trailing in passing yards (243-202) and time of possession (31:03-28:57).
Signal caller Ben Roethlisberger was 14-of-19 passing for 208 yards with three touchdowns, and veteran Jerome Bettis paced the ground game with 10 carries for 52 yards and a score. Wideout Cedrick Wilson had three receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, while running back Willie Parker grabbed three passes for 41 yards and a score.
Indianapolis (14-2 SU, 9-6 ATS) has been on cruise control in an effort to avoid injuries since seeing its shot at history fall short. The Colts were undefeated before stumbling to a 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS ledger the last three games. The lone victory occurred against the Cardinals in the final week of the regular season, but Arizona was just a few yards from the winning touchdown at the end of the game.
Those games can be thrown out the window since Indianapolis was running its basic offense and defense, while trying to avoid any key injuries. The contest that is important involves the Nov. 28 Monday Night Football victory over Pittsburgh as a 7 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 26-7. The combined 33 points failed to topple the 47 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ go 5-1 the last six weeks of the season.
The Colts controlled the contest by leading the Steelers in first downs (17-10), rushing yards (127-86), passing yards (239-111) and turnovers forced (2-1). Indianapolis connected on an 80-yard touchdown its first offensive play, while holding the Steelers scoreless after the first quarter.
Quarterback Peyton Manning completed 15-of-25 passes for 245 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Edgerrin James ran 29 times for 124 yards. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison (four catches for 128 yards and a score) and Reggie Wayne (five receptions for 62 yards) also enjoyed big games.
Pittsburgh’s Roethlisberger was 17-of-26 passing for 133 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, while Parker had 12 carries for 43 yards and four receptions for 23 yards. Tight end Heath Miller had four catches for 26 yards, and Wilson added three receptions for 44 yards.
The Steelers tried to get some momentum on the second-half kickoff with an onside kick, but the Colts recovered and quickly scored a touchdown on the short field. Manning faced Pittsburgh just once before back in 2002, with the Steelers winning as a 4 1/2-point home favorite, 28-10.
Pittsburgh wide receiver Quincy Morgan (ankle) and linebacker James Harrison (ankle) left the last game, and are listed as ‘doubtful’ versus the Colts.
Indianapolis offensive tackle Ryan Diem (knee), defensive end Robert Mathis (foot), linebacker Cato June (ankle), defensive tackle Montae Reagor (knee), free safety Bob Sanders (back) and defensive tackle Corey Simon (foot) are ‘questionable’ against the Steelers.
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