***THANKSGIVING FEAST THE SWAMP - DESSERT TIME - PITT @ INDY***
***PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS***
Welp, there is no hiding the fact that this game lost its luster when Colts QB Andrew Luck was ruled out with a concussion. A little Big Ben Rothlisberger versus Andrew Luck shootout would've been the perfect nightcap to turkey day but I'm thinking maybe we will be surprised here. The struggling Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting with a 5-5 record, going 1-4 in their last 5 games and that lone victory was last week against the winless Browns. Needless to say, Pitt has hit a rough patch with most of their woes coming on the road. At first glance, another road matchup against an opponent with a backup caliber QB and poor secondary, one would think PItt rolls here, especially on the Prime Time stage where Big Ben and Co. generally shine. However, I think there are some serious issues with this Steelers defense and mainly in the secondary that even perhaps backup QB Scott Tolzien may be able to find some success against. Who is Scott Tolzien do you ask? Tolzien is a 29 year old journeyman backup out of Wisconsin who bounced around the league but spent most of his career backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. During his stint in GB, he got some game experience when Rodgers went down with a clavicle injury in 2013. He played in three games, starting two of them and threw for 339 yards in his first start against the Giants, and pulling off a memorable spin move on a rush for a TD against the Vikings a week later. Just some fun insight for ya, but my point is that the moment shouldn't be too big for the reserved Tolzien. His teammates compliment how smart and on top of the playbook he is, knowing it inside and out and will be ready to go mentally. Physically of course is a different story, but again up against a vulnerable Pittsburgh secondary and with weapons like WR T.Y. Hilton, Tolzien may be able to put together some backyard style ball and make some magic. The first game a backup starts is generally their best shot at a win, mainly because the opposing defense hasn't seen them before or have much game tape to study. Since it has been about 3 years since this guy has thrown a meaningful NFL pass (excluding preseason), there isn't too much for the Steelers to go on here especially given the fact that it is a short week and Luck was officially ruled out yesterday. That being said, the element of surprise of course always provides an edge for at least that first game.
The Colts have now won two straight after completing a big division sweep against the Titans last week and are one game behind the Houston Texans. They can't afford to drop any games while battling for the playoffs and the odds will surely be stacked up against them here without their franchise QB at the helm. I expect them to try and establish the run game with veteran RB Frank Gore and that will be key since it can limit the Pittsburgh offense's time of possession and allowing Big Ben to get in a groove. Fortunately for the Colts, the Steelers offense hasn't been clicking as of late and last week's limited production in Cleveland against arguably the worst defense in the league raises some concern for me with this Pittsburgh team. The score of that game is a bit misleading when realizing that the Browns fumbled on their own goaline at the end of the game which resulted in a Steeler touchdown and the final score reading 24-9. One would think that up against the worst team in the league and off of an extremely disappointing loss to the Cowboys the week prior, they would take out their frustrations on the poor Browns. However they were only able to score a 1 yard rushing touchdown and settled for FGs otherwise. The Colts defense has been playing some inspired football and improving every week. They are extremely limited talent wise but play their best ball at home. Now down their starting QB, the Colts know their defense has to really step up here if they want a chance to win this game and pull off the upset. CB Vontae Davis should be able to play and he will be key in trying to stick with WR Antonio Brown in an attempt to slow him down. Lately, Rothlisberger and Brown haven't been in sync as they were throughout the first half of the season. If Davis suits up, I think they hang in there and the Steelers offense continues to work out the kinks and this one will stay competitive and stay within the number. It is ironic as last season these two teams met in a similar situation. Backup QB Matt Hasselbeck and the Colts rode into Pittsburgh for SNF I believe, and the Steelers mopped the floor with them. The only difference is it was a road game for the Colts, and Hasselbeck had already won his first 4 starts in relief for Andrew Luck. So again, this will be Tolzien's first shot at it and without a doubt the biggest game of his life. I am going to give the guy a shot here and go ahead and say that he plays well. Whether it be by a backdoor TD of some type in garbage time or if Tolzien shocks the world and dink & dunks all over this PItt defense while going toe to toe with Big Ben, I like the ponies to get a holiday rally going here. COLTS+9
