Don’t sleep on high-flying Steelers

It’s too soon to put the Patriots — or the Colts, for that matter — in the Super Bowl and not give consideration to the Steelers as contenders in the AFC.

That’s the opinion of handicapper Kelso Sturgeon, who said it’s “far too early to get on that bandwagon” with New England and Indianapolis. As Dallas, Green Bay and the New York Giants battle it out in the NFC, Sturgeon said to keep a close eye on Pittsburgh.

“This season is far from over, and there is every reason to believe we have not seen the best of any of these teams, especially the Steelers, and for many reasons they are my best bet in the NFL this week,” said Sturgeon (kelsosports-handicapping.com).

Pittsburgh, 6-2 straight up and against the spread, has won its first four home games by an average score of 30.5-6.5, a victory margin of 24 points per game.

The Steelers, who crushed Cleveland 34-7 in Week 1, are 10-point home favorites over the Browns today. Pittsburgh already has been a favorite of nine points or more three times this season and covered all three games.

“With all due respect to the much-improved Browns, they are going to hold their own with the weaker teams in the league but don’t belong on the same field with the good ones,” Sturgeon said.

The five teams Cleveland has beaten this season have a combined won-lost record of 10-30. The three teams that have beaten the Browns are a combined 17-8.

Aside from being dominant at home, the Steelers, Sturgeon said, have other “giant edges” against the Browns: Pittsburgh has the league’s best defense, giving up an average of 237.8 yards per game; it has a potent one-two offensive punch in Roethlisberger, completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns, with six interceptions and with an efficiency rating of 111.9, and running back Willie Parker, who has 768 yards on 187 carries; and it is 13-1 in its past 14 games against Cleveland.

Sturgeon breaks down the rest of today’s Week 10 schedule:

• Jacksonville at Tennessee (-41/2) — This is a terrible spot for the Jaguars (5-3), and they seem to be up against it in a game they need to win to stay in the divisional race. But that motivation will not be enough.

Jacksonville is playing its third straight on the road — the only NFL team so cursed this season — and has given up 93 points in its past three games. The Jaguars allowed 538 yards of offense in a 41-24 loss at New Orleans last week.

Tennessee (6-2) has the NFL’s second-best defense and won the first meeting this season 13-10. Same song, second verse. Take the Titans.

• Denver at Kansas City (-3) — The Broncos are 1-7 against the spread this season and 2-14 against the spread since Jay Cutler took over at QB last year. There is no way I could bet on Kansas City without running back Larry Johnson, who’s out with an injured foot. I’m passing on this game.

• Buffalo (-3) at Miami — The Bills (4-4) bring nothing to the table but tremendous focus, a high level of intensity and some of the NFL’s best coaching. All are intangibles, but they have permitted Buffalo to win four of its past five, and that one loss was a 25-24 decision to Dallas.

Miami (0-8) might be even worse than its record, with no running game, no legitimate quarterback and a coach who has been exposed by the Peter Principle.

• St. Louis at New Orleans

(-111/2) — I don’t want to pile on the 0-8 Rams, but this team is not competitive. It would take a book to chronicle what is going on in St. Louis, but these things we know for sure — quarterback Marc Bulger is hurting with two slow-healing broken ribs, running back Steven Jackson (back injury) is a shell of himself, the offensive line is in shambles, with most of the front five playing out of position, and the defensive secondary is worthless.

New Orleans has won four straight since opening the season 0-4 and has an offense that should destroy the Rams.

• Atlanta at Carolina (-31/2) — The Falcons (2-6) are no world-beaters, but Carolina (4-4) heads into this game not knowing who its starting quarterback will be — 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde or undrafted rookie Matt Moore, who has thrown seven passes in the NFL.

Because of their quarterback situation, the Panthers have scored just seven points in each of their past two games, both lopsided losses. What else do you need to know?

• Philadelphia at Washington (-21/2) — I am caught in the middle here, since I have vowed not to bet on either of these teams this season — only against them — and they end up in the same game.

• Minnesota at Green Bay (-6) — Vikings running back Adrian Peterson looked awesome last week in rushing for 296 yards against San Diego, but life will not be easy for him against a defensive front for Green Bay (7-1) that is performing in lock-down style, giving up an average of 93.8 rushing yards per game.

On the offensive side of the ball, nothing indicates Packers quarterback Brett Favre won’t have a field day throwing against a Minnesota pass defense that gives up 275.6 yards per game.

• Cincinnati at Baltimore (-4) — Both of these teams should be put on probation until they prove they deserve the “professional” designation. Against the spread, the Ravens are 1-7 and the Bengals 2-5-1. I will pass on this game.

• Chicago (-31/2) at Oakland — I can’t lay points with the Bears on the road. But I can’t use the Raiders as long as they continue to start at quarterback any warm body they can find.

• Dallas (-1) at N.Y. Giants — This game is being offered to the public at three prices — Dallas minus-1, New York minus-1 and pick ’em, depending on where one bets. I don’t disagree, since I rate the game dead even.

However, this contest appears to be an excellent opportunity to win a totals bet, and my play will be over 49. The first time these teams met this season, in Dallas, 80 points were scored as the Cowboys won, 45-35. This one won’t reach 80, but both offenses can ring the bell.

• Detroit at Arizona (-11/2) — The Lions (6-2) are going for their fourth straight win and come in with an offense that is efficient and a defense that has been sensational. Detroit has allowed a total of 14 points in its past two games and leads the NFL with 14 interceptions and 24 takeaways. It looks like a long afternoon for Arizona, which has averaged 13 points per game during its three-game losing streak.

• Indianapolis (-31/2) at San Diego — The Chargers (4-4) continued to be exposed as a fraud last week as they collapsed and gave up 296 yards rushing to Peterson in a 35-17 loss at Minnesota. Now they get to play a team that has both a running back, Joseph Addai, and a real NFL quarterback in Peyton Manning.

The Chargers looked clueless last week against a mediocre Minnesota team and have to play the defending Super Bowl champions off a rare loss. Oh, by the way, the Colts have a coach, and the Chargers do not.

Compiled by Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans.