Steelers vs. Colts Prediction – Steelers Depot

As in the past, below are the keys and my prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win (or lose) today’s game. Three things that need to happen for them to end up on the right side of the standings in their Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts and vice versa.

My Steelers prediction is below.

The Steelers will win if…

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick plays Minkah ball

Fitzpatrick, our X-factor for this game, had a good season and the quarterbacks were smart enough not to test him. But Colts QB Anthony Richardson is a risk-taker, as up-and-down as any quarterback in football. He trusts his arm to make throws to and from any area of ​​the field. But that confidence has turned to arrogance, leading to a league-leading six interceptions, including multiple falls or just plain terrible decisions. It’s up to Fitzpatrick to make him pay. Who wins here, whether it’s Richardson’s arm talent or Fitzpatrick’s football IQ, could determine this one.

2. George Pickens wins vertically

Under DC Gus Bradley, the Colts are a zone-heavy, single-high style of defense, especially on early downs. They like to roll the strong safety into the box and stuff the barrel. This creates 1v1 opportunities on the outside. With Indy’s secondary injury, Pickens should have opportunities downfield. And I would expect the Steelers to test it all game long in a schedule that will feel similar to the Broncos game.

3. Secondary Swarms, tackles Jonathan Taylor

While Pittsburgh’s run defense has been excellent for three games, Indianapolis will be a difficult task. The Colts’ line is built for block runs and Taylor is an extremely talented runner with all the attributes you could want. Size, power, explosion, vision. That makes it an 11-man job to slow him down. The Steelers secondary has done really well, but there’s no guarantee it will carry over. You have to continue to show the right technique and want to.

The Steelers will lose if…

1. Colts make enough chunk plays

In some ways, the Colts can compete well with the Steelers. Their big-play ability means they don’t need to employ methodical 10-play drives against Pittsburgh’s stout defense. You can get everything at once. If Richardson can hit the long ball, the Colts can score immediately, something no opposing team has ever done against Pittsburgh. This could cause the Steelers to feel uncomfortable and play from behind more often than before.

2. Indy’s receivers overwhelm the Steelers’ secondary

Similar to the first point, this is the best and deepest group of wide receivers the Steelers have ever faced. The Colts’ top four includes Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell and Josh Downs. CB Donte Jackson needs to continue to play well, while NCB Beanie Bishop Jr. could see a lot of scoring in this game, especially against Downs and Pittman in the slot.

3. Pittsburgh hits a wall

There’s no question that Pittsburgh wants to continue running the ball at will, but the Colts are a real challenge even without DT DeForest Buckner. NT Grover Stewart is an underrated run-stuffer. The Steelers can have more success with gap schemes and perimeter runs, I would even get the receiver run game going a bit in this case, but if Pittsburgh relies too much on the inside zone and the duo, they could have an inefficient one have day.

forecast

Steelers: 23
Colt: 17

Steelers season forecast record

2-1