INDIANAPOLIS vs PITTSBURGH 

STEELERS WIN 27 – 20

Story of the Game – Pittsburgh’s rejuvenated defense stumps a rolling Colts offense and their dominate run game 

Half way through the season few teams have been able to stump this Colts’ running game as their OL has played at an elite level despite losing key pieces this past offseason and their new addition of Daniel Jones at QB has brought a steady presence to an offense that hasn’t had such at that position in a long time. This game on the other hand was a different story for the Colts as the Steelers, despite a rough couple weeks defensively, were stout up front and held Jonathan Taylor in check (Only had 45yds with 8:00 left in the 4th Quarter) which forced this Colts offense to inch their way downfield and convert in high leverage situations which they struggled to do. Along with the Colts’ running game falling flat against this Steelers and failing to convert in these 3rd down situations and high leverage situations overall the Colts turned the ball over far too many times. Whether it was a clutch vintage strip sack from TJ Watt, 3 INTs for Daniel Jones and this passing attack, and a weird bounce on a punt that went off of Josh Downs and gave the Steelers the ball in Colts territory they simply made too many mistakes. While this Colts team has its strengths and I’m not necessarily concerned about them falling flat or “being fake” up until now the lack of counterpunch in this game was alarming, especially against a Steelers defense that hasn’t impressed for large parts of this season to say the least.

• Key Notes for the Steelers 

For the Steelers this was a promising showing for a defense that’s coming off a very rough week against the Packers and largely hasn’t been what everyone thought they could be coming into the year. Their ability to stand stout against a lethal Colts rushing attack and play fast and tied together on the backend was great to watch. Payton Wilson was a game changer for this defense this week as he flew around the field wracking up 13 Tackles and making a beautiful play in coverage by faking running to the flat and sitting on a Josh Downs whip route that the Colts had been targeting all game. Along with Payton Wilson having a great game seeing guys like Alex Highsmith, Keeanu Benton, and Jack Sawyer have an impact up front was a game changer for this defense. While their DL and pass rush hasn’t been the only issue with this defense through the first 8 weeks of this season seeing those guys step up not only allowed them to hide some of their flaws on the backend end but it also allowed TJ Watt to have the impact he’s had in the past for these Steelers defenses as they weren’t completely dependent on him to make a play every single time they needed one. Just an all around much better performance by a group that has left everyone asking for more leading up to this week. 

The Steelers also outplayed the Colts on the special teams side of the ball which made just that much more of a difference in this game. While forcing a turnover on a punt was certainly the most noteworthy play of the game the energy and attitude they played with on every kickoff and punt was notable. 

Up and down it was an impressive performance for the Steelers and while you’d like to have seen a little more consistency on the offensive side of the ball early on you have to feel worlds better about what this defense and what they can do moving forward. It’s one week and ultimately I still don’t see this team being a Super Bowl contender but compared to where this team was headed in recent weeks with their defensive performances and overall a lack of consistency you sure hope this is a new start for this team.

• Key Notes for the Colts 

This Colts offense inability to lean on anything other than their run game or to develop a counterattack was very disappointing. While I don’t foresee many teams shutting down the run game in the ways that Pittsburgh was able to this week moving forward they have to be ready to find something else to lean on when a team hones in taking it away. Daniel Jones’s issues with feeling pressure, accuracy in the intermediate parts of the field, and his tendency to press and make mistakes in big moments showed up with the disappearance of their run game. While I think this is the best version of Jones and I believe in him being the starter these issues cannot start to become a trend like they did in New York and if they do this team will have real issues winning down the stretch of this season.

• Sauce Gardner Trade 

With this team giving up their next two 1st Round Picks they’re not just betting on Sauce to be an excellent CB their also counting on their offensive core of Jones, Taylor, Pittman, Pierce, Downs, Warren, and this OL not just continuing their success this season but the next as well. Once again while I like this group on offense I cannot say I’d be willing to bet on them like they have with this trade. Sauce is a very solid outside CB and while the price was a bit steep I can see a team justifying the price but the lack of an elite pass rusher up front and the questions I have of sustainability with Jones as your QB still stand and that would keep me from making the trade that they did. 

• Standout Performers 

PIT 

Aaron Rodgers – 25/35  203yds  1/0 

Pat Freiermuth – 3/27  1 TD 

Payton Wilson – 13 Tackles (9 Solo)  1 INT  2 PBUs

TJ Watt – 3 Tackles (1 Solo)  1 Sack  1 TFL  1 FF 

Alex Highsmith – 4 Tackles (3 Solo)  2 Sacks  3 TFLs  1 FF  1 PD

Keeanu Benton – 5 Tackles (2 Solo)  1 Sack  1 TFL 

Cam Heyward – 4 Tackles  2 PDs

IND

Alec Pierce – 6/115  

Michael Pittman Jr – 9/115 

Laiatu Latu – 6 Tackles (4 Solo)  2.5 Sacks  3 TFLs 

Germaine Pratt – 8 Tackles (4 Solo)  1 TFL  1 PBU