Steelers’ ball control is key against the Colts
Ben Roethlisberger is back, and there’s something else the Pittsburgh Steelers hope will return to the team Monday against the NFL’s offensive machine – their running game.
If there’s one way for the Steelers to upset the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts Monday night in Indianapolis, it would be to run the ball on long scoring drives and keep it away from Peyton Manning as much as possible.
The Steelers managed a two-season low of 70 yards rushing against the Baltimore Ravens, abandoning their vaunted ground game early, when they tried only eight rushes and netted 10 yards rushing in the first half. Bettis carried only two times for no yards, the first time in his career in which he has carried at least once in a regular-season game and came away with zero net yards.
Coach Bill Cowher listed Roethlisberger as probable to return after missing the past three games with a knee injury, and that should help the ground game. With Roethlisberger at quarterback, defenses are not likely to gang up quite as much to stop the run because of his efficiency throwing the ball.
Roethlisberger would lead the AFC with a 112.4 passer rating, except that his 130 attempts are too few to qualify. Roethlisberger, 18-1 in the regular season as a starter, has thrown 30 passes in one game, the Steelers’ victory Oct. 31 against Baltimore.
Cowher likely would not want to see him eclipse that Monday night. The Steelers do not want to go toe-to-toe in the passing game the way the Bengals did in a 45-37 loss Sunday to the Colts in Cincinnati. Indianapolis leads the league with 305 points scored.
Tommy Maddox threw 36 passes against the Ravens, the most by a Steelers quarterback since he threw 38 in a driving snowstorm at the New York Jets in 2003 and lost, 6-0. That season – when Maddox threw more than 40 times in four games – convinced Cowher that he had to return to his previous philosophy to run the ball and control the clock.
It’s what they would like to do against the Colts.
NFL Football Betting odds: Oasis Casino and Sportsbook
NFL Football Week 12 Matchup:
Pittsburgh Steelers +8
vs Indianapolis Colts -8
Prediction: The Steelers can give the Colts a run for their money with a healthy Roethlisberger but the Colts are simply too good. Ben’s magic will not shine against Indy.
For football betting online, Oasis Casino and Sportsbook is the place! They offer all types of NFL football betting to their customers. NFL football betting has never been easier, whether you want to bet a parlay or straight bet. Wager on football futures and proposition bets, too. Wager on football with a point spread or bet on football with a money line, it is up to you! Football betting is one of the many wagering options at Oasis Casino and Sportsbook.
For more live NFL Betting Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: Bodog Sportsbook or PinnacleSports. Live NFL betting tips, picks and predictions at NFL Sports Betting Tips and NFL Sports Betting Lines
for more FIFA World Cup Soccer Betting Tips, Odds, Picks and Predictions, click here: World Cup Betting
Loading ...