The Steelers are staring at another one of those games that can tilt either way fast, but the matchup with the Colts gives them a clear road to a win if they handle the biggest problem in front of them: Jonathan Taylor.
That’s the hinge point here. If Pittsburgh can slow Taylor enough to make Daniel Jones carry the offense, the Steelers have a real shot to control the game.
The challenge is obvious, though. Derrick Harmon is out with an injury, and Pittsburgh’s defensive line is dealing with a depleted group.
Even so, the expectation from the Still Curtain panel is that the Steelers have already shown they can bottle Taylor up before, and they should be able to do enough again at home.
There’s also reason to think the Steelers offense can help carry the load. Pittsburgh has scored more than 20 points in each of its last two games, and while the sideline meltdown between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy was part of the conversation, the belief is that the offense will sort itself out. Against a Colts defense described as struggling, the Steelers should have chances to move the ball and put together one of their better outings.
The panel leaned Pittsburgh in every prediction, though not by much.
“I feel incredibly torn on this game. The Colts feel like a very beatable team, but the Steelers have also been an inconsistent mess of a team.
Ultimately, I think the defense can hold Taylor in check and force some mistakes from Jones. Add in the Steelers' extended rest and the Colts having played in London, and I think we swing back into the win column.” - Andrew Falce (Steelers 27-20)
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are one game behind the Ravens and Browns in the AFC North. Sure, Mike McCarthy’s team enters the week with bumps and bruises.
But I believe Aaron Rodgers continues his heat check - leading Pittsburgh to an effective offensive performance. As always, I expect T.J.
Watt and his peers to become the closers in Week 5. The Colts come to play but don’t outlast the Steelers.” - Loyal Ricks Jr.
(Steelers 26-21)
“With a tightly contested AFC North race, the Steelers know how much this Week 5 game means. Coming off a TNF loss to the Browns, Mike McCarthy's team had a long week to prepare to host the Colts.
Meanwhile, Daniel Jones has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league this year. If they stop Jonathan Taylor, they stop the Colts-and if they can't win comfortably here, I'm not sure they will anywhere the rest of the way.” - Tommy Jaggi (Steelers 27-17)
“The 2-2 Steelers host the 2-2 Colts at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, with Pittsburgh getting extra rest after a 27-24 loss in Cleveland while Indy makes the quick trip back from London following a 30-13 win over Washington. The Colts score more -- 25.5 points per game to Pittsburgh’s 19.2 -- and Jonathan Taylor is a problem, but their league-worst minus-six turnover margin is a rough matchup for a Steelers defense ranked fourth in interceptions.” - Allison Koehler (Steelers 24-21)
The final call lands at Steelers 25, Colts 23.
That prediction comes back to the same idea: stop Taylor, and Pittsburgh can win. Indianapolis has been shaky in the turnover battle and has not looked strong in the passing game, which opens the door for the Steelers to keep the game in front of them and force Jones into mistakes. On the other side, the Colts’ defense is near the bottom in most categories, giving Pittsburgh a chance to grind out long drives and protect the football.
The Steelers are expected to have some success against the run, even with key defensive pieces missing, but Taylor should still get his yards. Jones is also projected to make a couple of turnovers that swing things Pittsburgh’s way. It may not be clean, and it may not be comfortable, but the forecast from the panel is a Steelers win.
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