NFL Week 15 picks, predictions, odds for Colts vs. Steelers: Why 20 is a key threshold

The Indianapolis Colts host the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL Week 15 action with heavy playoff implications for both teams on the line. Both teams are 7-6 and, heading into this weekend's action, would be in the AFC playoffs.

A key number for this matchup: 20. The Colts have allowed 20+ points in each of the past three weeks, though they won two of those games. The Steelers haven't reached 20 points since Week 10 and have lost three of their past four games.

There's a mix of predictions for this game, but the 20-point threshold is noted.

Colts vs. Steelers: NFL Network, betting odds, injuries, playoff standings

Colts vs. Steelers favorite, betting odds

via BetMGM

Favorite: Colts by 1.5 points (Colts are 8-5 against the spread; Steelers are 7-6 ATS, each matching the game result)

Over/under: 42.5 total points (9 Colts games have gone over, 4 under; 3 Steelers games have gone over, 10 under)

Moneyline: Colts -125, Steelers +105

ESPN's matchup predictor gives the Steelers a 55.8% chance of winning.

NFL Week 15 picks, predictions: Colts vs. Steelers

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk, Steelers 16-13: If the Steelers don’t win this one, they might not win another.

Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer, has the Steelers covering the spread: As for the Colts, they managed just one offensive touchdown in last week’s loss to the Bengals. If the season ended today, they’d sneak into the playoffs as the seventh seed, and the Steelers would be the sixth seed. It’s Mitchell Trubisky vs. Gardner Minshew. There’s no way to feel good about either side here.

Tom Pelissero, NFL.com, Colts 23-20: In their past seven games, the Steelers have completed just four pass plays of 30-plus yards. The Colts have at least one such play in all but one game this season, perhaps justifying my sense that they feel like the more potent big-play threat, even though the teams are pretty evenly matched in yards per offensive play (5.2 for Indy, 4.9 for Pittsburgh) and total plays of 20-plus yards (46 for Indy, 42 for Pittsburgh). I'll take my chances on Indianapolis' sometimes-messy, sometimes-capable attack at home over a Steelers squad that has, frankly, failed me two weeks in a row.

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report, Colts 24-20: Aside from the quarterback situations for both teams, the Colts are getting a little bit healthier at the right time, while the Steelers are more than banged up.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports, Colts 21-16: This is a big game in terms of the playoffs for both teams, especially with the Steelers coming off two straight losses and the Colts coming off a loss last week. The Steelers have issues on offense, but the defense has gone backwards lately as well. The Colts will win a tight one here to put an even bigger damper on the Steelers' playoff hopes.

Ryan Reynolds, 33rd Team, Colts 16-13: he Steelers’ clearest path to victory is through a solid defensive effort paired with another productive game from their running back duo. If Mitch Trubisky has to be anything more than a game manager, the Colts likely win this game.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, Colts 24-13: The Steelers have gone four games without scoring more than 18 points. T.J. Watt is coming off a concussion. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has played pretty well and the Colts are stingy on defense.

Bill Bender, Sporting News, Steelers 22-20: Yet another backup quarterback battle. This is a battle between a pair of 7-6 teams that are just inside the AFC playoff picture. Both teams are coming off miserable performances in Week 13, too. The Colts have managed just 45.5 rushing yards per game the last two weeks without Jonathan Taylor. The Steelers have averaged 148.3 passing yards per game the last three weeks with Mitchell Trubisky. The Steelers are 3-2 S/U on the road.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Week 15 picks, predictions, betting odds for Colts vs. Steelers