Colts to test Steelers defense
Following is a look at Sunday’s Indianapolis at Pittsburgh NFL game.
Memorable moment
Steelers 51, Colts 34
Oct. 26, 2014: Heinz Field
Last year’s game should impact this year’s. At least that’s how the Indianapolis Colts are talking this week. “We felt like we kind of got dominated a little bit. It will be a different story this year. You don’t forget it,” Colts linebacker Erik Walden said in the locker room following the Colts’ win last Sunday over Tampa Bay.
Ben Roethlisberger completed 40 of 49 passes for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns. He wasn’t intercepted or sacked. “Preparation, man,” explained Antonio Brown. “Preparation met opportunity and we were able to click.”
The focus for the Steelers this week, though, has been the defense. DC Keith Butler was repeating “39 points” like he was Jim Mora repeating “Playoffs.” So it’s not the 51 points the Steelers are looking at from last year, but the 34 the Colts scored.
Tale of the tape
“The biggest thing to me is (Matt) Hasselbeck’s getting rid of the ball really quick. He’s getting the ball into the hands of his receivers. (Frank) Gore doesn’t look the same to me that he has in the past. He’s still a tough guy but he’s not making as many guys miss. He’s not breaking as many tackles as he has in the past. Their offensive line is average at best. Even when (Hasselbeck) gets rid of the ball quickly he’s getting hit. He’s got to get rid of the ball because he’s not going to run away from anybody. T.Y. Hilton is special, and (Donte) Moncrief looks like he can be special. Dwayne Allen is a tough guy. He’s just good. He can run and block. Coby Fleener is not a tough guy, not a very good blocker. He’s never at the point of attack.” — Steelers broadcast analyst Tunch Ilkin.
Top question
How will the Steelers utlize their cornerbacks?
For one, this week’s competition should have Antwon Blake motivated to tackle much better. That’s been the mystery about this alleged tough guy. Also, Butler hinted that Blake may be rested to allow him to continue with his core special-teams duties, so look for Brandon Boykin to rotate in as a slot corner in the nickel, with William Gay and Ross Cockrell outside.
Game breakdown
What to look for from the Steelers tonight against Indianapolis:
ON OFFENSE: In spite of four turnovers, the Steelers went to the wire at Seattle. They also turned it over three times in losses to Kansas City and Cincinnati. This has been their life of late: Turn it over and lose. So it’s been one half of the mantra this week, don’t turn it over. They must keep an eye on free safety Mike Adams (10 interceptions since start of 2014) and block Robert Mathis (4 sacks) and they should be able to take care of the ball.
ON DEFENSE: Don’t turn the ball over, and tackle the catch. That’s the other half, particularly after the Steelers’ poor tackling in Seattle. “If you look at a lot of the teams we’ve played,” said Butler, “when we do tackle the catch, then the ball comes loose. Maybe receivers don’t want to catch it across the middle. Not that we are taking illegal hits on anybody or anything like that, but when you tackle as soon as they catch the ball there’s going to be a price to pay for it. And if teams see that on film, then it makes a little bit of a difference whether they catch it or not.”
Prediction
In spite of their tackling woes on pass defense, the Steelers are allowing an OK 11.6 yards per catch the last five games. Not a good number, but right with the Colts’ 11.4. Combine that with the Steelers’ huge edge at the line of scrimmage and the Steelers should win. Their problem has been finishing on offense. The Colts could be the tonic for that woe. Again. Steelers, 34-24.
Parting shot
“We have to get a better rush, we’ve got to do a better job of covering, we have to tackle and be where we are supposed to be when we have to be there, and we’ve got to coach better. Those things usually end up in giving up as many as 39 points. I mean, 39 points. I don’t want to say what I think about 39 points because it wouldn’t be legal for y’all to print or put on TV. We shouldn’t be giving up 39 points. We have to do a better job.” — Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler.