The Steelers will look to avoid going from 4-1 to 4-4 this Sunday when they face the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts and their historically good offense.
Entering Week 9, the Colts lead the NFL in total yards per
game (385.3) and points per game (33.8). Will the Steelers be able to overcome that? Our staff weighs in with their picks.
Alex Hanczar: For the fourth time in seven games, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense allowed 30-plus points, this time in a losing effort to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Now, with fans, players, and ex-Steelers frustrated, how will the black and gold respond?
Their response poses as quite possibly the most difficult of the season as the Indianapolis Colts travel to Acrisure on Sunday. The Colts are the most shocking team in the NFL with a 7-1 record and no signs of slowing down. Slowing down is something that is not in running back Jonathan Taylor’s vocabulary. The Wisconsin alumnus leads the NFL in touchdowns (14 total) and has scored a hat trick of touchdowns on four separate occasions.
Taylor and rookie tight end Tyler Warren will look to expose an abysmal Steelers run and pass defense with seemingly plenty of holes to take advantage of. Offensively for the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the group have been stout. The offensive unit has now scored 20-plus points in five straight and has kept Pittsburgh in every contest despite the poor defensive effort.
If the Steelers have any hope of defeating the best team in the NFL at this point, defensive adjustments must be made. Most specifically in the run defense and coverage of the flat. However, as no changes have been made to this point, I lack faith that changes will occur for this one. Colts-38, Steelers-26
Ryan Parish: The Colts’ offense is a wagon. The Steelers’ defense has been papier-mache. The Steelers defense will need to generate turnovers — something they’ve failed to do in the three games since the bye — to have any shot on this game. That or an awakening on defense akin to a miracle. Colts 34 – Steelers 23
Ryland Bickley: Are the Colts beatable? Sure. But Indianapolis, now at 7-1 this season, is undeniably one of the top teams in the AFC. The Colts’ offense is showing no signs of slowing down while the Pittsburgh defense continues to lose momentum.
I think Aaron Rodgers and co. can put up some points on the Indy defense, but the Steelers just don’t have the firepower to keep up — especially considering Shane Steichen always seems to now how to exploit the Pittsburgh scheme. I have the Colts winning 38-24.
Joey Bray: Not a whole lot has gone right for Pittsburgh over their last two games. This game against Indianapolis does not bode well for the Steelers in terms of getting back on track.
No statistic better summarizes the Steelers’ season to this point than their point differential. Pittsburgh has 175 points for and 175 points against. The Colts come into the contest with a +116-point differential, which is good for the best margin in the NFL by a long shot.
The Colts average 33.8 points per game this season, and it’s hard to imagine Pittsburgh has much of an answer for Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones given the way the defense has performed recently. Until proven otherwise, the defensive side of the ball will continue to be Pittsburgh’s biggest liability. It unfortunately won’t matter how well Aaron Rodgers continues to play. Colts 35, Steelers 20
Jarrett Bailey: The Colts are better than the Steelers in every statistical and advanced statistical measurement. Points, yards, EPA, DVOA – you name it, the Colts have been better at it than the Steelers on both sides of the ball, but the Steelers are winning this game.
Back in 2022, the Steelers were 1-4 entering a game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I remember having the feeling of “yeah, they won’t start 1-5, they’ll win.” I have that same feeling now. The Colts are the better team, but they aren’t going to just run the table and go 16-1. The Steelers are desperate for a win to stay two games ahead of the Ravens, who are 3-5 and have gotten much healthier.
Again, the Colts are the better team, but they’ll have a slip-up against a Pittsburgh squad in need of a win. Steelers 31, Colts 28
