Published Oct 30, 11:32am ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 30, 11:32am ET
Grok AI
Updated Oct 30, 11:39am ET
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| Pittsburgh Steelers | +3 (-103) |
| Indianapolis Colts | -3 (-117) |
Entering the season, the Colts' main question centered on their quarterback. Anthony Richardson was clearly not going to cut it as their starter, and former Giants 1st round pick Daniel Jones was an injury-prone bust.
Still, they had a big-time running back in Jonathan Taylor, a solid receiving corps led by Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs. They have an opportunistic defense and a good pass rush anchored by DeForest Buckner.
They started hot by blowing out the Dolphins. One win led to another and another. Their sole loss was to the Rams in a tightly contested 27-20 defeat in Los Angeles.
Now, they're rampaging through the league, and there is speculation as to whether they could emerge from a parity-laden AFC. Jones is a viable MVP candidate along with backfield mate Taylor.
Daniel Jones 21/29, 272 YDS, 3 TDs, 0 INT vs TEN Today. https://t.co/98UPnwhSQv pic.twitter.com/2HmAWr7J3G
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 27, 2025
Indianapolis has scored nearly 34 points per game, leading the league. On defense, they're 6th in points allowed per game. They have been vulnerable to the pass, ranked 29th in defensive passing yards per game, and that is a possible area to address at the trade deadline on Nov. 4.
Expect the Colts to come out firing against Pittsburgh's league-worst pass defense.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Kenny Moore II, CB | INJURED |
| Tyquan Lewis, DE | INJURED |
| Samson Ebukam, DE | INJURED |
| Anthony Gould, WR | INJURED |
| Nick Cross, S | INJURED |
| Josh Downs, WR | INJURED |
| Grover Stewart, DT | INJURED |
| Anthony Richardson, QB | INJURED |
The Steelers have lost two straight to fall to 4-3. In Week 7, Bengals' QB Joe Flacco and receiver Ja'Marr Chase tore them to shreds in a 33-31 Cincinnati win. Last week, the Packers' Jordan Love was nearly flawless in his first game against Green Bay legend Aaron Rodgers, who Love sat behind for three years.
Jordan Love was in COMPLETE control versus the Steelers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/P1fz1RmRtC
— BGPG (@BleedGreenPGold) October 27, 2025
Before the season, the Steelers' main concern was how much Rodgers had left in the tank at age 42. Their defense was not supposed to be an issue.
It has been the opposite. Rodgers has a 104.4 passer rating, 16 TD passes, and 5 picks. They're just outside the top 10 in the league in points scored per game.
Defensively, they've been atrocious, last in the league in passing yards allowed per game, and 18th in rushing yards per game.
Is this age? They're an older team in general, but their key players on defense are north of 30. That includes Cam Heyward (36), Jalen Ramsey (31), T.J. Watt (31), and Darius Slay (34).
Is it a slump? Or is it who the Steelers are?
As a team, they're in 1st place in the AFC North, but their lead is strangely tenuous, despite being 1.5 games ahead of the Bengals and 2 games ahead of the Ravens. Baltimore is getting Lamar Jackson back, and to win the division, it might take only 9 victories.
The Colts' offensive machine will be tough to stop. If they manage it, they will be viewed far differently on Monday than an aging and declining roster in need of major retooling.
They acquired safety Kyle Dugger from the Patriots along with a 7th-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for a 2026 6th-round pick.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Cory Trice Jr., CB | INJURED |
| Ben Skowronek, WR | INJURED |
| Scotty Miller, WR | INJURED |
| Zach Frazier, C | INJURED |
| Pat Freiermuth, TE | INJURED |
| Kyle Dugger, S | INJURED |
| DeShon Elliott, S | INJURED |
| Daniel Ekuale, DT | INJURED |
| Isaac Seumalo, G | INJURED |
In the Week 9 Colts-Steelers encounter, both teams have something to prove.
If Indianapolis beats the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the questions about their relatively weak schedule and unbelievably magical season they've had so far will likely disappear.
The Steelers need to corral one of the NFL's high-powered offenses to show that their defense can carry them to the playoffs and give them a chance to win some games if they make it. Although they're in 1st place in their division, that "if" is becoming stronger.
The favored Colts will have their way with the Steelers and easily cover the 3-point spread.
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Pick
Indianapolis Colts -3
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