The Colts got back on track in London, but their reward is a quick turnaround into a road date with a rested Steelers team that should present a much tougher test.
Indianapolis beat the Washington Commanders 30-13 to move to 2-2, and Jonathan Taylor was the engine again. He ran for 95 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, which is exactly the kind of outing the Colts need if they want to keep winning.
That remains the central question for this team: if Taylor is rolling, they can hang around. If Pittsburgh takes him away, Indianapolis is left asking Daniel Jones to carry the offense, and that’s a much less comfortable place to live against this defense.
The matchup also comes with a clear scheduling edge for the Steelers. Indianapolis is coming off an international game, while Pittsburgh enters this one with extra rest after not playing since last Thursday night’s 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. That travel and rest gap matters here, especially for a Colts team that already looks shaky in a few key areas.
The numbers back up the concern. Indianapolis sits last in the NFL in Net Yards per Play at -1.7.
The schedule has been demanding - with games against the Ravens, Chiefs, and Texans - but the defense hasn’t held up well either, ranking 22nd in opponent EPA per play. Put all of that together, and it’s hard to feel great about the Colts’ chances of overcoming the road spot and the short rest disadvantage facing Pittsburgh’s opponent.
For this AFC matchup, the lean is against Indianapolis.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans May See Joey Porter Jr. Trade Very Differently Now
The Cowboys acquisition of Joey Porter Jr. came with the usual instant questions about what comes next, but the early read on his approach may ease some of that anxiety. Rather than pushing immediately for a new deal, Porter is reportedly willing to play out his current contract, which gives Dallas some breathing room as it sorts through the longer-term picture around one of its newest defensive additions.
For Steelers fans, that detail may change the way the move is viewed from afar. Porters market value is estimated at around $27.4 million per year, so the price tag is still substantial, but the bigger issue now appears to be how much security and how many years the Cowboys want to offer when the time comes. The contract conversation is not going away, but the early signs suggest this may be more about fit and timing than any urgent showdown over money. [Read more 🡒]
Missing Steelers Fan Case In Cleveland Just Took A Disturbing Turn
A trip to Cleveland for a football game has turned into a search that now carries real weight. Phoenix Phillips, a 24-year-old from Maryland, was last seen downtown after attending the game, and police have said his disappearance is concerning. His phone was found, adding to the unease around a case that has quickly moved beyond a simple missing-person report.
Authorities have also recovered an unidentified body near the area where Phillips was last known to be, though they have not confirmed any connection. The investigation remains active, and online chatter has added another layer of noise around Phillips, with unverified allegations tying him to unauthorized trading and scamming. For now, though, the only thing that matters is the unanswered question of what happened after he left the game. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers LB Cole Holcomb Shares A Feel Good Life Update
For a Steelers defense still trying to settle in through a 2-2 start, Cole Holcomb has had a more personal milestone to celebrate away from the field. Holcomb and his wife, Casey, welcomed their second child this week, a baby boy named Drew Jarrett, or DJ, adding a bright spot to a season that has already had its share of on-field grind for the veteran inside linebacker.
Holcomb has continued to be part of Pittsburghs mix in the middle of the defense, even as the early weeks have brought a little bit of everything, including an NFL fine for a blindside block on a special teams play in Week 3. The newborn news, though, is the kind of update that can reset a players week in a hurry, and it gives Holcomb and his family a memorable moment as the Steelers move deeper into the season. [Read more 🡒]