[h=1]How to bet Indianapolis-Pittsburgh[/h]NFL Vegas Experts, Special to ESPN.com
ESPN INSIDER
NFL Week 13 has arrived and includes a Sunday night matchup between the Colts and Steelers. ESPN Chalk's Vegas experts are here to provide analysis on the game. Note: All odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas as of Saturday morning.
[h=2]Matchup: Indianapolis Colts atPittsburgh Steelers[/h]Spread: Opened Pittsburgh -7.5; now Pittsburgh -7.5
Total: Opened 47.5; now 49
[h=2]Against the spread[/h]Dave Tuley says:
Public perception: The public is mostly split on this game after it was off the board most of the week with Ben Roethlisberger going through the league's concussion protocol. The Steelers would usually be the more public team here, but the Colts are 4-0 with Matt Hasselbeck starting, so they're picking up some support.
Wiseguys' view: The sharps have mainly landed on Indianapolis +7, though there will still be plenty who are happy to lay Pittsburgh -6.5. The Steelers will also be a popular teaser play.
Tuley's take: With Big Ben staying in the lineup, I'm not going to fade the Steelers here, especially as DeAngelo Williams should have a big day running on the Colts' defense. I was considering the over, but the oddsmakers have set the total fairly high at 48, so I'll pass on that as, well (for teaser plays, I'd go with the Steelers -0.5/over 42).
The pick: Pass (pool play: Steelers).
Wunderdog: The talented Colts' offense isn't getting any respect with this betting number, especially against an awful Pittsburgh defense. Hasselbeck has been the best backup in the NFL, with the Colts 4-0 in his four starts after guiding Indianapolis to a 25-12 win over Tampa Bay last week. He capped a 315-yard performance by tossing a pair of second-half touchdown passes to T.Y. Hilton as Indianapolis rallied to remain in contention for the division title. Indy has a winning record on the road. The Colts are also 21-10-1 ATS within the AFC.
Pittsburgh is home but has QB concerns with Roethlisberger getting knocked out of last weekend's loss at Seattle with a concussion. He will start, but this is the second time this season he's dealt with serious injuries. Pittsburgh's pass defense will get chewed up by the Colts. The Steelers secondary is surrendering 283.6 yards per game, 30th in the NFL. It let them down last week, allowing three fourth-quarter scoring passes to Seattle in a 39-30 defeat, part of a 1-4 run ATS. Indy matches up well and the underdog is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings. Take the points on the Colts.
The pick: Indianapolis
Erin Rynning: With the Colts' 2015 season clearly on the brink of destruction early in the campaign, they've suddenly rattled off six of seven spread covers while winning three games in a row. However, this is still a fragile team playing with a 40-year-old quarterback and a banged-up running game. Offense certainly won't be an issue for the Steelers, while they've scored a combined 98 points the last three weeks. In addition, this is largely the same unit that put up 51 on the Colts last season. I'm just not sold on what looks like a return to form from the Colts. They beat self-destructing teams in the Falcons and Buccaneers while catching the Broncos in a supreme situation. I'll lay the points with the Steelers in this matchup.
The pick: Pittsburgh
ESPN INSIDER
NFL Week 13 has arrived and includes a Sunday night matchup between the Colts and Steelers. ESPN Chalk's Vegas experts are here to provide analysis on the game. Note: All odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas as of Saturday morning.
Total: Opened 47.5; now 49
[h=2]Against the spread[/h]Dave Tuley says:
Public perception: The public is mostly split on this game after it was off the board most of the week with Ben Roethlisberger going through the league's concussion protocol. The Steelers would usually be the more public team here, but the Colts are 4-0 with Matt Hasselbeck starting, so they're picking up some support.
Wiseguys' view: The sharps have mainly landed on Indianapolis +7, though there will still be plenty who are happy to lay Pittsburgh -6.5. The Steelers will also be a popular teaser play.
Tuley's take: With Big Ben staying in the lineup, I'm not going to fade the Steelers here, especially as DeAngelo Williams should have a big day running on the Colts' defense. I was considering the over, but the oddsmakers have set the total fairly high at 48, so I'll pass on that as, well (for teaser plays, I'd go with the Steelers -0.5/over 42).
The pick: Pass (pool play: Steelers).
Wunderdog: The talented Colts' offense isn't getting any respect with this betting number, especially against an awful Pittsburgh defense. Hasselbeck has been the best backup in the NFL, with the Colts 4-0 in his four starts after guiding Indianapolis to a 25-12 win over Tampa Bay last week. He capped a 315-yard performance by tossing a pair of second-half touchdown passes to T.Y. Hilton as Indianapolis rallied to remain in contention for the division title. Indy has a winning record on the road. The Colts are also 21-10-1 ATS within the AFC.
Pittsburgh is home but has QB concerns with Roethlisberger getting knocked out of last weekend's loss at Seattle with a concussion. He will start, but this is the second time this season he's dealt with serious injuries. Pittsburgh's pass defense will get chewed up by the Colts. The Steelers secondary is surrendering 283.6 yards per game, 30th in the NFL. It let them down last week, allowing three fourth-quarter scoring passes to Seattle in a 39-30 defeat, part of a 1-4 run ATS. Indy matches up well and the underdog is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings. Take the points on the Colts.
The pick: Indianapolis
Erin Rynning: With the Colts' 2015 season clearly on the brink of destruction early in the campaign, they've suddenly rattled off six of seven spread covers while winning three games in a row. However, this is still a fragile team playing with a 40-year-old quarterback and a banged-up running game. Offense certainly won't be an issue for the Steelers, while they've scored a combined 98 points the last three weeks. In addition, this is largely the same unit that put up 51 on the Colts last season. I'm just not sold on what looks like a return to form from the Colts. They beat self-destructing teams in the Falcons and Buccaneers while catching the Broncos in a supreme situation. I'll lay the points with the Steelers in this matchup.
The pick: Pittsburgh
