Week four is here! This week the Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road for the third team this season as they take on the Colts in Indianapolis. Here’s everything you need to know about the game!
What: Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0 at Indianapolis Colts 1-2
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Sunday September 29th, 2024 1pmET
Weather: Cozy. It’s a Dome.
Wagering Information: Steelers -1.5 O/U 40
Last Week: The Colts got their first win of the season beating Chicago 21-16 in Indy. The Steelers went to 3-0 on the season with a 20-10 home opening win over the Chargers.
TV: CBS Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analysis), Aditi Kinkhabwala (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area (courtesy 506sports.com): Those in YELLOW get the game.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Rob King (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis)
Max Starks (field reporter) NOTE: This is the first game since the retirement of Bill Hillgrove.
Head Official: Land Clark. Clark is in his fifth season as a head official. The last time he covered a Steelers’ game was the abysmal loss at home to Arizona last season. There were 15 accepted penalties in that game. Clark also officiated the Steelers’ infamous 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions in 2021. His crew has called more penalties than any other with the exception of…. Last week’s Steelers-Chargers crew.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) – Questionable, No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) – Out, No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) – Out, No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) – Doubtful, No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) – Out IND: No. 23 CB Kenny Moore II (Hip) – Out, No. 51 DE Kwity Paye (Quadricep) – Out, No. 78 C Ryan Kelly (Neck) – Questionable, No. 35 CB Chris Lammons (Knee/Ankle) – Questionable, No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis (Calf/Wrist) – Questionable, No. 72 T Braden Smith (Knee) – Questionable
Injury Notes: With Seumalo out again, Mason McCormick looks to get his first start this week and that should help the running game especially… Cordarrelle Patterson looks to get a lot more action with Jaylen Warren out and Najee Harris banged up a bit.
2024 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 25th IND 19th Passing Offense: PIT 29th IND 24th Rushing Offense: PIT 12th IND 11th
Total Defense: PIT 1st IND 14th Passing Defense: PIT 5th IND 19th Rushing Defense: PIT 2nd IND 31st
AFC North Rankings: Pittsburgh 3-0, Cleveland 1-2, Baltimore 1-2, Cincinnati 0-3
This Week in the AFC North: Cincinnati at Carolina 1pmET, Cleveland at Las Vegas 425pmET, Buffalo at Baltimore 820pmET
What You Need to Know: The Colts have their third home game in four games while the Steelers are on the road for the third time in their four games… Prior to last year’s loss, the Steelers had won five straight in Lucas Oil Stadium… They are 6-3 there all-time… The Steelers have started 3-0 nine times since the 1970 merger. They made the postseason all nine times winning Super Bowls in ’78 and ’79… The Steelers have won the Time of Possession battle in all three games this season.
Tomlin Time: Mike Tomlin is 8-2 all-time versus the Colts…
Indianapolis Colts Names to Know: QB Anthony Richardson, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Michael Pittman, Jr, CB Jaylon Jones, K Matt Gay, C Ryan Kelly, G Quenton Nelson, LB Zaire Franklin
What’s at Stake: For the Colts, it’s an opportunity to keep pace in the division with Houston and score an AFC win. For the Steelers, it’s a chance to stay unbeaten and keep distance in the AFC North race.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 33-10
Last Meeting: December 2023 in Indy. Colts 31 Steelers 13
Postseason History: Steelers lead 5-0
Steelers Game Highs vs IND: PASSING: 522 yards Ben Roethlisberger 10/26/2014 RUSHING: 179 yards Barry Foster 09/18/1994 RECEIVING: 154 yards Louis Lipps 09/08/1985 SACKS: 3.0 Mike Merriweather 10/21/1984
Chad Brown 12/29/1996, James Harrison 12/06/2015 INTERCEPTIONS:2 Darren Perry 11/22/1992, Brent Alexander 10/21/2002
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. On the Line. The argument can be made that EVERY game is decided in the trenches but this one will be. The Colts’ offensive line versus the Steelers’ defensive front will likely have a large say in the outcome and you can make the argument about the reverse too. Both teams will look to their running game in order to set up play-action and more importantly, limit mistakes by the respective QBs.
2. Battle of the TWO’S. Success in football depends on many things but the team that gets the most out of their depth players – or “two’s” – often has the advantage. That means guys like Cordarrelle Patterson, Scotty Miller and Nick Herbig have to play well and likewise, the Colts will need backups in the secondary and on the D-Line to play well too. The team that can get the most out of these guys has an advantage.
3. Keep It at 50. Anthony Richardson is currently completing 49/3% of his passes through three games. That’s not good. It puts him in territory with several backups around the league. Because of his big arm and athleticism, the Steelers know they are facing a true wild-card. As well as the Steelers’ interior is playing, that means T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and company need to contain him from getting outside. On the back end, the secondary will often have to cover longer because of Richardson’s mobility. Keeping him frustrated and off balance keeps him closer to that 50% mark which is good.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: Nick Herbig. We know he can rush the passer extremely well but can he set the edge when the Colts run Jonathan Taylor right at him? That’s a major question heading into this one.
X-Factor Colts: Zaire Franklin. He is a really underrated and highly athletic linebacker and Mike Tomlin couldn’t say enough about him this week. That said, he still has to play well and he did himself no favors by disrespecting the Terrible Towel this week. And we all know what that means.
Prediction: News Flash! The Steelers win close, hard-fought games. I expect this one to be no different. For all that I’ve discussed above, this will likely come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. I’ll take the more experienced Justin Fields over the less experienced Anthony Richardson.
Steelers 26 Colts 15
Season Prediction Record: 3-0
