With starting quarterback Russell Wilson out, even the most hopeful Pittsburgh Steelers supporters could hardly have predicted a better start to the 2024 season.
Wilson re-aggravated his calf injury during training camp, but Justin Fields has been excellent in his place, helping the Steelers to a 3-0 record.
Indianapolis, however, has not had the start it had planned for, losing its opening two games before defeating the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams at home.
Given that he missed the majority of his rookie season due to a shoulder injury, Anthony Richardson’s difficulties with accuracy and decision-making thus far this season were to be expected.
Will the Steelers continue the hype train, or can he help the Colts return to.500?
The following is a list of Pennsylvania sports betting sites, our predictions, and the odds for the Steelers vs. Colts game.
Who to start: Fields or Wilson?
Ahead of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wilson formally enters the weekend with a doubtful status. Wilson has a chance to play on Sunday after missing the first three games due to a calf ailment.
Can he play, though? And after winning three games in a row with Fields behind center, should the Steelers use him even if he is not at full capacity?
Wilson could lose a significant amount of the season if he re-aggravates his injury, therefore it is too risky to roll him out at less than 100% this early in the season.
And unless Fields is playing terribly, which hasn’t happened yet, it wouldn’t even make sense to bring him back at that point.
Actually, Fields has completed 73.3% of his throws for 90 yards on the ground, one rushing touchdown, and 518 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Despite throwing fewer passes than some quarterbacks in pass-heavy offenses, Fields has been quite effective with his comparatively little volume; according to PFF, he is the fourth-highest-graded passer through three weeks.
Given how well Fields has appeared, it makes little sense for Pittsburgh to take a chance until they are positive that Wilson is fully recovered.
Steelers vs. Colts odds
The Colts go into this non-divisional AFC game against Pittsburgh as two-point favorites, even though they are playing in front of their home fans.
Indianapolis has covered the spread in two of its first three regular season games, while the Steelers are 3-0 against the spread.
Furthermore, the over and under odds for this game are centered at -110, and the point total is 40.
All three of Pittsburgh’s games have ended below the game’s point total. After three games, the Colts are 1-2 overall.
To wager on this game, locate the top PA sportsbooks here!
| Market | DraftKings | FanDuel | Caesars | BetMGM | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spread |
Steelers -2 (-112) Colts +2 (-108) |
Steelers -2.5 (-105) Colts +2.5 (-115) |
Steelers -2 (-110) Colts +2 (-110) |
Steelers -2 (-110) Colts +2 (-110) |
Steelers -2 (-109) Colts +2 (-112) |
| Moneyline |
Steelers: -130 Colts: +110 |
Steelers: -134 Colts: +114 |
Steelers: -135 Colts: +115 |
Steelers: -135 Colts: +115 |
Steelers: -135 Colts: +115 |
| Total |
Over 40: -110 Under 40: -110 |
Over 40.5: -105 Under 40.5: -115 |
Over 40: -110 Under 40: -110 |
Over 40: -110 Under 40: -110 |
Over 40: -110 Under 40: -110 |
Steelers defense dominates
Throughout the first three weeks of the 2024 NFL regular season, the Steelers have, as expected, been utterly dominant on defense, limiting opponents to the fewest scores (8.7) and yards (229.7) per game.
Additionally, according to PFF, they have the second-highest-rated defense in the league and lead their opponents in red zone touchdown scoring percentage (16.67%).
Unexpectedly, after three weeks, Pittsburgh seems to be the best team in the AFC North.
Although that is always susceptible to change, given the length of the season, Steelers win total and AFC North betting backers should be happy with what they are witnessing.
Steelers vs. Colts betting
Richardson’s interception prop is appealing because the Colts will likely play a large portion of the game from behind. Richardson leads the league in interceptions thrown, but Pittsburgh is ranked second in the league for opponent interception thrown %.
Although a strong Pittsburgh front line will push Richardson to pass on second and long downs as well as third downs, Jonathan Taylor will be extensively relied upon to carry the ball in the first half.
Additionally, since the Colts’ defense hasn’t shown that they can hold even a mediocre offensive team, expect them to play the majority of the game from behind.
Check out Caesars Sportsbook’s interceptions thrown line (0.5) at -137.
Furthermore, DraftKings Sportsbook’s Steelers moneyline of -130 is very alluring.
Steelers vs. Colts prediction
Even with Richardson’s extraordinary athleticism and raw talent, he has no chance of winning against this top-tier Steelers team.
Richardson has the second-lowest quarterback rating this season, behind only by the now-benched Bryce Young, the most interceptions (6), and the worst completion percentage (49.3%).
Without Taylor, who has ran for more than 100 yards in each of the last two games, Indianapolis’ offense would be a complete mess.
Even though Taylor is one of the league’s finest backs, it is difficult to imagine him leading this Colts attack against a Steelers defense that has allowed opponents to only 71 running yards per game (third-lowest) on a pitiful average of 3.5 yards per carry.
After all, Richardson will probably have to make difficult throws into small windows as they stack the box. It should be easy for Pittsburgh to leave Indianapolis with a victory.
Select: Steelers Moneyline (DraftKings, -130)