First Call: Taylor and turnovers are concerns for Steelers vs Colts; AFC Week 16 odds
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In our last call for “First Call” before Christmas, we look at how the oddsmakers have jumped off the Steelers bandwagon.
And rightfully so.
We also take a look at two threats facing the Steelers from the Indianapolis Colts, forecasting the AFC playoff picture and bad news for a former Steeler in the AFC North.
Home dogs
The Steelers have gone from 11-0 and favored to win every game remaining on their schedule to home underdogs in Week 15.
Against a team with a lesser record. An indoor team. At Heinz Field. In late December.
But I get it. The Steelers (11-3) have been awful lately. Not just during their three-game losing streak, but for most of the last seven weeks. So they are 1.5-point underdogs to the 10-4 Indianapolis Colts, via Oddshark.com.
In other games concerning the AFC playoff picture, the Cleveland Browns are 9.5-point favorites over the New York Jets. The Browns can still win the AFC North if they win their last two games and the Steelers lose their last two. The Browns host the Steelers in Week 17.
The Baltimore Ravens are 11-point favorites over the New York Giants. Baltimore is still trying to secure a playoff spot, as are the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins. Tennessee is a 3.5-point underdog in Green Bay, and the Dolphins are 3-point road favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, the top two teams in the conference are healthy favorites. The Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5) can clinch the AFC’s top seed with a win or a tie against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. And the Buffalo Bills are in New England. They are 7-point road favorites and are currently in the second AFC slot, owning a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers.
Taylor time
Colts rookie running back Jonathan Taylor is going to be a major problem for the Steelers on Sunday. He has averaged 103 yards on the ground in his last four games.
At 842 yards on the season, Taylor is 10th in the NFL in rushing and has eight total touchdowns.
Jonathan Taylor is a bad, bad dude.
CBS pic.twitter.com/EIUWdnv7WN
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 20, 2020
Via ColtsWire, “Through Week 15, Taylor is Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest graded rookie from the 2020 class and the highest-graded running back from this year’s class.”
The Steelers have the NFL’s eighth-best rushing defense at 104.6 yards per game.
That’s not all
Another challenge facing the Steelers will be winning the turnover battle.
The Colts have forced 24 turnovers this season. That is the third most in the NFL.
THE DEFENSE DID IT AGAIN!!!
CBS pic.twitter.com/pU0F7WVOow
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 20, 2020
The Dolphins lead the NFL with 26. The Steelers are next with 25.
And holding onto the ball has become an increasing challenge for the Steelers. They’ve had six turnovers during the three-game losing streak. They only had four turnovers in their previous five games.
Indianapolis has gotten 11 of its turnovers over the last five games. And they’ve needed the splash plays to get the ball back because the Colts defensive yardage allowed has been on the increase.
Over the last five games, the Colts are yielding 412.6 yards per contest. But they are 4-1 in that span.
Wishing the best
Chris Hubbard was always a likeable guy in the Steelers locker room.
So likeable, I still hope he does well with the Cleveland Browns.
Him. Specifically. Not the team.
Unfortunately, though, Hubbard is now on injured reserve. The team made that announcement Tuesday. The Browns lineman tore ligaments in his right knee during Sunday night’s win over the New York Giants. He also dislocated a kneecap.
Hubbard is scheduled for surgery. He had been filling in for Wyatt Teller at right guard.
Hubbard struggled as a starting right tackle for two years in Cleveland. But he settled in as floating backup lineman, much like he did when he was here in Pittsburgh.