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Week 8 Preview: Colts at Steelers
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: Blitzburgh no more, the Steelers are trying to find pressure without further loosening a defense that has many gaps. Head coach Mike Tomlin sees Andrew Luck as a more dangerous quarterback when he escapes the pocket and coverage breaks down. The Steelers will drop seven or eight and try to find a hot hand among CBs William Gay, Brice McCain and Cortez Allen to contain the AFC’s leading receiver, T.Y. Hilton (47 receptions for 711 yards).
The two teams to beat Luck’s bunch this season — Denver and Philadelphia — outscored the Colts. That’s easier said than done, considering the Colts limit opponents to a 26 percent conversion rate on third down and have 21 sacks and 12 takeaways. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s offensive line is spotty, but it can plow, and the team’s top two backs are over 5.0 yards per carry. Starter Le’Veon Bell was held in check Monday by the Texans but broke loose catching passes, an avenue that could open again this week facing a 3-4 defense for the fifth time in eight games.
*Matchup to watch – Colts CB Vontae Davis vs. Steelers WR Antonio Brown: Brown needs more help, but his production and reliability are the one constant for the Steelers. Roethlisberger looks for Brown first and Davis, one of the most underrated cover men in the NFL, has speed and the strength to redirect at the line.
*Player spotlight – Colts WR Donte Moncrief: The speedy rookie, along with Hakeem Nicks, will see more targets this week with Reggie Wayne (elbow) likely to be limited or out. Moncrief caught nine of 11 passes Luck threw in his direction through the first seven games.
*Fast facts: With a win, Roethlisberger would have 100 wins in 150 career starts. … The Steelers have won eight of the past 10 meetings. … Luck is gunning for a franchise-record sixth consecutive 300-yard passing game.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Bell becomes the focal point for the Steelers, who grind out a home victory to set up a primetime slugfest with AFC North rival Baltimore in Week 9.
*Our pick: Steelers 27-23
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