Steelers vs Colts preview: Defense poses challenge for QB Anthony Richardson, matchups to watch, more
Pittsburgh (3-0) at Indianapolis (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Steelers by 2
Series record: Colts lead 24-19
Against the spread: Pittsburgh 3-0, Colts 2-1
Last meeting: Colts won 30-13 in Indianapolis on Dec. 16, 2023.
Last week: Steelers beat Chargers 20-10 in Pittsburgh; Colts beat Bears 21-16 in Indianapolis
QB Justin Fields. The former Chicago Bear is starting to find his footing in Pittsburgh. He's undefeated through three starts and is coming off his best performance of the season, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown while running for another in a win over the Chargers. He's also starting to build a case that he should remain the starter even after Russell Wilson's calf heals.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. The previous time these teams met in December, Pittman was knocked out of the game on a hit to the head from Steelers S Damontae Kazee, who was suspended the rest of the season. This time, Anthony Richardson and the Indy passing game need a jump start — and Pittman could be just the guy to make it happen.
Steelers run defense vs. Jonathan Taylor. Pittsburgh's stifling defense is ranked in the top five in total defense, run defense, pass defense and scoring defense and, like previous Steelers teams, prides itself on playing big — regardless of the opponent. Taylor seems to be rounding into the form that helped him win the 2021 rushing title. He has back-to-back 100-yard games and three TD runs in three weeks. It could be an interesting matchup.
Steelers will be without OLB Alex Highsmith (groin). Nick Herbig, who had two sacks last week against Los Angeles, will get the start. Pittsburgh LG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) will also likely miss a fourth straight game. QB Russell Wilson continues to rehab a calf injury and is expected to serve as the emergency (third) quarterback. RB Jaylen Warren (leg) was limited during the early part of the week. ... Three-time Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner (sprained ankle) and starting CB JuJu Brents (knee) are already on injured reserve for the Colts, and they lost two more starters late in last week's game. Decisions on Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore II (hip) or starting DE Kwity Paye (quadriceps) may be made later this week.
Indy's win last season snapped Pittsburgh's eight-game winning streak in this series. The Steelers won nine straight over the Colts from 1985-2002. ... Pittsburgh has won all four postseason matchups. The Steelers went on two play in two Super Bowls after those victories. ... These franchises represent two of the three teams that moved from the NFL to the AFC as part of the 1970 AFC-NFL merger. The other was Cleveland.
Steelers defense. The Steelers will likely try to take away the run and make Richardson beat them with his arm. But with Richardson's early propensity for interceptions and incompletions (49.3% completion rate), this could be a low-scoring game and could allow Pittsburgh's defense to feast.
