A number of weeks ago, I wrote a thread criticizing Big Ben. I basically said, if memory serves, he isn't put in a position to win a game, just not lose it. Tonight, I believe, Big Ben has to have a big game. The Steelers will have to control the ball to win, but the Colts know that. So, IMO, Big Ben has to make me eat my words, for the Steelers to win. Now, I'm not saying Big Ben is only player that needs to have a superlative effort for Pitt to win, but he needs a Big game.
Big Ben definitely makes Pitt a better team but the question I have is what can you expect from him coming back in first game from injury vs leagues best team in Indy. I expect him to be rusty and if game falls onto his shoulders, expect a couple of picks. To me, for Pitt to have any chance of winning they will need to run the ball about 40 times tonight for near 200 yds rushing. I think Payton will expose Pomalalu tonight's tendency to crowd the line of scrimmage with play action and hit the Pitt secondary up for some big plays in the passing game down the middle of the field with Clark,Harrison, and Wayne and once they build a lead run the ball with the Edge. If Indy can score over 24 pts imo, they will win and then it is whether they cover the spread.
Kojak said:
How is Pitt going to score with Big Ben rusty? Any team that is undefeated after this many games has to have a good defense and a good offense. Indy ought to be able to shut down the rush and Pitt's offense may be able to score 1 or 2 TD's. I think Indy can score more than 24 points. They are averaging over 30 ppg.
Sure, Indy may have a turnover that limits them to 24 points but like you say expect Pitt to have 1 or 2 themselves.
I say Indy covers the -8, 30-16.
