Steelers vs. Colts: Stacking wins could mean a playoff birth
By Eric Hassel
A player for whom the Steelers traded continues to pay dividends for the defense
Another game, another INT for Minkah Fitzpatrick. His 4 INTs place him at second best in the NFL through eight games. The INT that Fitzpatrick had against the Colts was not only an INT in the red zone, but it was a ‘pick 6’, which turned the tide of the game.
With the Colts already leading 10-3, my only thought was that the defense had to hold the Colts to a FG attempt if we were going to have any shot at winning the game. Fitzpatrick delivered yet again in the form of a 96 yard INT for a TD. If you didn’t see it, you could watch it here: Fitz pick 6
Fitzpatrick has just been ‘money’ for the Steelers defense. No other way to describe his play. He did exactly what a free safety should do; he read the eyes of the QB, anticipated where the ball was going and picked it off, and scored a TD to boot.
I have to say that, as of right now, giving up a first-round pick to the Dolphins is looking like the best trade the Steelers have made since we fleeced the Rams to acquire Jerome Bettis in 1996. Fitzpatrick’s play has been nothing short of rock-solid, something that the Steelers defense needed when we traded for him.
Through eight games, the defense is currently 11th in yards allowed per game, is ranked 5th in total sacks, is ranked 3rd in INTs, and is ranked 10th in total points allowed. There is no question that the Steelers defense is playing at a high level.