Colts (Week 15)

I am becoming more optimistic and excited about this game as the week goes progresses. The Steelers have had 2 practices this week and the injury report is improving. TJ Watt has been cleared from the concussion protocol and is allowed to play Saturday. His partner in crime, Alex Highsmith, has been limited both days but appears to be progressing. I am assuming and hoping he clears the protocol by tomorrow or Friday.

I have been reviewing the Colts tape and statistics and feel much better about this game than I did about the Patriots game. I know a lot of people in Steeler land were and are still upset by the loss to the Patriots. I had my reservations as they have a very stout defense and the Steelers offense is clearly their weakest asset. I believe that in the NFL it does not matter the record or the performance the week before. What matters are matchups and that usually coincides with injuries vs healthy players. I think not having Kenny Pickett and a short week played a large role in the Steelers struggles last Thursday night. That, coupled with the NE defense that matched up better against our offense, led to the result. This week should be different.

The Colts have the 25th ranked total defense and 29th ranked in terms of points allowed (25.4/game). They struggle against the run and have yet to keep teams out of the endzone via the run. This, is exactly the Steelers strength. Since the bye week, the Steelers are 2nd in the entire NFL in terms of rushing yards (1064). They only trail Baltimore who essentially has 3 running backs if you count Lamar Jackson. The Steelers have shown their recipe for winning relies heavily on a solid run game. In the games the Steelers have won this season, they have run the ball well and controlled the game that way. They have less success when having to abandon the run and come from behind. With this matchup against a Colts team that has not done well against the run, I feel optimistic about the Steelers getting a win in Indy on Saturday.