NFL Indianapolis ColtsPittsburgh Steelers

5 Bold Predictions for Colts vs. Steelers

5 Bold Predictions for Colts vs. Steelers

Heinz Field Pittsburgh Steelers
Charles LeClaire - USA TODAY Sports

The 4-3 Pittsburgh Steelers haven't won back-to-back games this season. The Indianapolis Colts have won five straight. The two teams clash at Heinz Field this Sunday, and here's what's going to happen.

5. Andrew Luck Throws For 300-Plus Yards

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock - USA TODAY Sports

5. Andrew Luck Throws For 300-Plus Yards

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock - USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Luck has thrown for 300 yards or more in each of the last five games and in six-of-seven games this season, but the Steelers give up an average of only 230.9 passing yards per game. This Steelers' pass defense is the stingiest Luck has faced all year, and without Reggie Wayne, No. 12 will struggle to amass 300 yards through the air.

4. Luck Will Turn The Ball Over

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Chris Humphreys - USA TODAY Sports

4. Luck Will Turn The Ball Over

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Chris Humphreys - USA TODAY Sports

Through the first seven games of the 2014 NFL season, Luck has turned the ball over nine times -- seven INTs and two fumbles -- which results in an average of 1.29 turnovers per game. Week 3's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars represented the only game in which Luck didn't cough up the ball this season.

The Steelers have a better defense than the Jags, right?

3. Roethlisberger Will Struggle

Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers
Andrew Weber - USA TODAY Sports

3. Roethlisberger Will Struggle

Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers
Andrew Weber - USA TODAY Sports

A trend is a trend, and Ben Roethlisberger has trended down in even-numbered NFL weeks. In fact, in Weeks 2, 4 and 6, Roethlisberger is 0-3 while completing 72-of-119 passes (60.5 percent) for 759 yards, four TDs, two INTs and one fumble lost.

The only reason those stats aren't profoundly worse is due to the fact that the Steelers' Week 4 opponent was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- otherwise know as the NFL's worst pass defense.

2. LeVeon Bell Will Eclipse 100-Plus Total Yards

LeVeon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty Images

2. LeVeon Bell Will Eclipse 100-Plus Total Yards

LeVeon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty Images

LeVeon Bell is quickly becoming an elite offensive threat for the Steelers. He's gained at least 100 total yards in every game this season and even though the Colts own a top-10 NFL defense, Bell will get his yards. He's too good not to.

1. Colts' RB Duo Runs Wild

Ahmad Bradshaw Indianapolis Colts
Getty Images

1. Colts' RB Duo Runs Wild

Ahmad Bradshaw Indianapolis Colts
Getty Images

With Luck likely being stymied by the Steelers' 13th-ranked pass defense, the Colts would be wise to turn to their dynamic rushing duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson. The two backs have the Colts ranked 12th in rushing yards (123.3 YPG) and against the Steelers' 17th-ranked run defense (114.1 YAPG), it'd be wise to let Bradshaw and Richardson loose.

Colts win by four.

Jeff Pearlman is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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