Colts vs. Steelers: 20 things to keep an eye on

INDIANAPOLIS – The task doesn’t get any easier.

A Colts team that got its first win of the season against Chicago last week now awaits the arrival of a Pittsburgh team that is off to an undefeated start with its defense and the unexpected efficiency of Justin Fields.

Indianapolis will look to hand Pittsburgh its first blemish of 2024 when the Colts host the Steelers in a game televised by WTTV-4 at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

1. Indianapolis’ offense is a modern anomaly Anthony Richardson at the helm. The Colts are inefficient but explosive. They rank 17th in the NFL in yards per game (315.7) but third in yards per game (6.3), a mark that trails only Baltimore and Green Bay. Pittsburgh’s defense was excellent in almost every area through the first three games, ranking first in the NFL in yards (229.7 per game), points (8.7), third-down conversions (21.9%) and Red zone conversions (16.7%). ), but as Indianapolis proved last week, the Colts are capable of winning gold on just about any play, even when the offense as a whole struggles.

2. Richardson’s lack of accuracy slows Indianapolis’ offense. The second-year starting quarterback is completing just 49.3% of his passes and now faces a Pittsburgh secondary that is allowing opponents to complete 61.7%, good for seventh in the NFL and putting the Steelers up Eye level with all three Colts brings ‘ Previous opponents: the Texans (58.3, 3rd), Bears (59.1, 5th) and Packers (61.8, tied for 8th).

3. Richardson’s decision-making was poor early this season, as he threw an NFL-worst six interceptions through the first five games due to a combination of tumbling and poor decisions. If he puts the ball in danger again, the Steelers will take advantage; Pittsburgh already has four interceptions.

Key Matchup: Colts Offensive Line vs. Steelers Pass Rush

4. Indianapolis’ offensive line has allowed just four sacks, making it the fourth-best team in the NFL through three games. Pittsburgh’s ferocious pass rush will test the Colts. Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt already has three sacks and seven quarterback hits, and he’ll likely play primarily on the left side, pitting him against Indianapolis’ right tackle Braden Smithwho was not available when the two teams met last year.

5. Pittsburgh defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (one sack, four quarterback hits) will be a tough test for a Colts interior defender who could miss center Ryan Kelly, who missed the final two days of practice this week with a neck injury. If Kelly is out, the Colts will have to rely on an excellent guard tandem Quenton Nelson And Will Fries to help Danny Pinter, Kelly’s supposed backup.

6. Watts’ primary prospect Alex Highsmith is not expected to play due to injury, but second-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig defended admirably against the Chargers, recording two sacks. If Herbig operates primarily on the blind side, he will find himself in a battle with another up-and-coming young player, Indianapolis left tackle Bernhard Raimann.

7. The Colts coaching staff will likely need to be creative moving forward Alec Pierce free downfield. Pierce is averaging an NFL-best 25 yards per catch on nine receptions this season, including three catches of 40 yards or more, and that kind of performance should be expected in a Steelers secondary that has only allowed one throw of over 40 yards. attracting additional attention this season.

What’s going on with Colts receiver Michael Pittman?

8. Indianapolis wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (11 catches, 88 yards) and Josh Downs (three catches, 22 yards) were somewhat inconsistent early in the season, hampered by injuries and Richardson’s struggles. However, as the Colts’ passing game becomes more efficient, it’s likely that the ball will primarily go through these two players as they are adept at downfield and the attention teams will likely pay to Pierce could open up opportunities downfield.

9. Pittsburgh’s defense was incredible against the run, ranking second in the NFL in both yards (71.3) and yards per carry (3.5), but was up big Jonathan Taylor (251 yards, 5.4 yards per carry) represents a different kind of test after back-to-back 100-yard games. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said it himself on Tuesday, praising not only Taylor but the Colts’ ability , focusing the defense’s attention on Richardson, who is averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

10. Taylor’s hands are inconsistent, but Indianapolis should continue to look for ways to get him the ball in the passing game; The Colts running back is averaging 19 yards per catch on three receptions, and a screen or two for Taylor would go a long way in taking some teeth out of the Pittsburgh pass rush.

11. Rookie returnees Anthony Gould has made some questionable decisions in the first three games, but if he picks his spots, Gould could have a chance at a nice return on Sunday. Pittsburgh has allowed its opponents an average return of 8.8 yards per punt so far, ranking 16th in the NFL.

What you should know about the Steelers’ offense

12. The Steelers may be undefeated, but the offense has been anything but dominant. The Steelers rank 28th in yards per play (4.59), 28th in yards per carry (3.63) and 21st in yards per dropback (6.33) and just that 24th in scoring, averaging 17 points per game. Pittsburgh has never scored more than 20 points in a game.

13. A surprising Fields has been more efficient than explosive so far. Fields is completing 73.3% of his passes but is averaging just 6.9 yards per attempt, and Pittsburgh has just six completions of 20 yards or more, tied for 24th in the NFL. Indianapolis slot cornerback Kenny Moore II However, is unavailable after suffering a hip injury late in Sunday’s win over the Bears, and it’s more likely that Fields will push the ball down the field against a young, inexperienced group of Colts cornerbacks.

14. Pittsburgh has only turned the ball over once this season, an interception by Fields. Indianapolis flipped the script last week by forcing three turnovers, led by two picks out Jaylon Jonesand the Colts will have to make the Steelers cough up the ball a few times this week to upset Pittsburgh’s winning formula.

15. Bears tight end Cole Kmet caught 10 passes against the Colts last week, and Pittsburgh has its own talented tight end, Pat Freiermuth, who has 12 catches for 99 yards and can exploit the middle of the Indianapolis defense. Collateral in Indianapolis Julian Blackmon And Nick Cross needs to stop Freiermuth from giving Fields a ton of easy targets in the middle.

16. George Pickens is Pittsburgh’s top outside threat. Pickens has 13 catches for 171 yards in an uneven season, but is explosive enough to get deep almost at any time.

How concerned should Colts fans be about the Steelers rushing attack?

17. Pittsburgh’s running game has been more persistent than overpowering this season. The Steelers rank 12th in the NFL with 130.7 yards per game, but they average just 3.63 yards per carry (28th), and gadget back Cordarrelle Patterson is the only Steeler in the Averaged more than four yards per carry.

18. Pittsburgh lead back Najee Harris had his arm in a sling after last week’s win over the Chargers, but he will be good to go. Harris is a grinder, averaging 3.8 yards per carry this season, but Pittsburgh will certainly be trying to figure out if the Colts defense has fixed its run game issues or just got lucky against a Bears running game, which was the second best in the NFL. worst this season. Indianapolis will not have a starting defensive end Kwity Payewho suffered a quadriceps injury against the Bears and could be more vulnerable on the edges without Paye in the lineup.

19. Harris’ running mate Jaylen Warren could miss the game due to a knee injury she suffered last week. If Warren can’t go, the Steelers can lean on Patterson against a Colts defense that was much improved against Chicago and led by an aggressive Zaire Franklin at middle linebacker.

20. Pittsburgh’s offensive style is great for exploiting the Colts’ defense, which has struggled getting off the field this season. Indianapolis suffered a whopping 239 snaps this season, partly because of the offense’s inefficiency and partly because the Colts allowed their opponents to convert 50% of their third downs, keeping the defense on the field. Pittsburgh’s offense ranks seventh in the NFL in third-down conversions this season at 43.2%, and the Steelers are playing the type of ball-control, keep-away offense that could keep Indianapolis on the field for long stretches .

Colts vs. Steelers: 20 things to keep an eye on

ByJasper

Key Matchup: Colts Offensive Line vs. Steelers Pass Rush

What’s going on with Colts receiver Michael Pittman?

What you should know about the Steelers’ offense

How concerned should Colts fans be about the Steelers rushing attack?

By Jasper

Related Post

FOX Corporation is launching a fundraiser for the American Red Cross’ relief efforts following Hurricane Helene

The Washington Commanders defense had its best performance yet against the Arizona Cardinals

Utah single mother, 33, is raising money for her own funeral after cancer diagnosis gives her three months to live

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You missed

FOX Corporation is launching a fundraiser for the American Red Cross’ relief efforts following Hurricane Helene

The Washington Commanders defense had its best performance yet against the Arizona Cardinals

Utah single mother, 33, is raising money for her own funeral after cancer diagnosis gives her three months to live

The death toll rises amid rescue efforts