The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting set of matchups for their Week 12 game against the Indianapolis Colts, but some of the major ones should be breaking in their favor.
Gameday: Steelers at Colts, 8:15 p.m.
KEY TO VICTORY
There really is only one possible key to victory for the Steelers in this one, and it’s stopping Jonathan Taylor. After finishing the 2021 season dead last in rushing defense, the Steelers have improved dramatically for 2022, with a third-in-the-NFL 3.9 yards per carry against after a 5.0 mark in 2022.
There’s really no reason that the Colts should be able to run the ball against the Steelers, and with Matt Ryan manning the passing offense, the Steelers pass rushers should be able to impact things on third and long.
BOLD PREDICTION: KENNY PICKETT HAS 2 TD DAY
Kenny Pickett has been making small improvements as his rookie season has gone on, with two straight games without a turnover his most recent accomplishment. The area that has improvement has yet to carry over into is the red zone, where the Steelers haven’t been very good, and when they have scored, they’ve used Pickett’s legs and Najee Harris. The Colts have two solid cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore and Isaiah Rodgers, so it won’t be easy, but the Colts defense can be beaten. Their 6.0 net yards per attempt against is 20th in the league
OVERLOOKED MATCHUP: ART MAULET vs PARRIS CAMPBELL
The Steelers let Art Maulet get taken advantage of against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, with the Bengals moving outside receiver Tee Higgins inside and beating up on Maulet.
This week, it shouldn’t be as much of an issue, with Parris Campbell taking the vast majority of the snaps in the slot for the Colts. Cam Sutton will likely draw the assignment of sticking with star Michael Pittman, and Campbell is the clear No. 2 target for the Colts. When Matt Ryan gets under pressure, he’s going to frequently be a quick target and it will be crucial that Maulet sticks with the former Buckeye.
PREDICTION
The Colts do one thing and they haven’t even done that one thing well consistently, with an up and down season for Jonathan Taylor. If the Steelers stop the run and take care of the football — two things they’ve done well recently — they should win this one easily.
Steelers 24, Colts 13
PICK IT DraftKings Promo
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Pittsburgh +2.5 (-115)
Under 39.5 (-115)
Jonathan Taylor under 85.5 rushing yards (-110)
Bonus Pick: George Pickens anytime TD (+310)
Last week: 2-2: Over 39.5, over four total TDs; Steelers +2.5, Jaylen Warren over 24.5 rushing yards