Getting any victory this season has been a challenge for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since they have shown signs of ups and downs throughout their campaign thus far, it's been difficult to make picks and predictions for their games. With all of that being said, it's obvious that this club has won games like the one they will face this Sunday against a tough AFC foe, the Indianapolis Colts.
It won't be easy for the home team, but this is a game they should find a way to win.
Maybe it won't be pretty with Jonathan Taylor at full health against a depleted Steelers defensive line, but they have slowed him down before. If Pittsburgh finds a way to slow down the run enough to force Daniel Jones to overcompensate through the pass game, then the home team has a path to victory. Even though Derrick Harmon is out with an injury, the Black and Gold should be able to contain Taylor.
When it comes to the offensive side of things, don't be shocked if they have one of their better performances. They're coming off two weeks of producing over 20 points in each contest, and even though Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy had a meltdown on the sidelines, they will figure things out. The Steelers offense should have avenues to succeed against a struggling Colts defense.
Still Curtain contributors predict the Pittsburgh Steelers to get back on track
"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)
Final prediction has Steelers finding a wobbly victory in Pittsburgh
Score Prediction: Steelers 25, Colts 23
The outcome of this game likely depends on one player: Jonathan Taylor. If he can't be contained by the Steelers, then it's clear that the Colts will run away with a victory in this matchup. That being said, the Colts have struggled mightily in the turnover column and in the passing game this season.
It's easier said than done, but if the home team contains Taylor enough, they will emerge as the winner.
Indianapolis is struggling on the defensive side of things as they are near the bottom in most categories. That should be a ripe opportunity for the Steelers' offense to move up and down the field for most of the game. As long as they can locate a path to eat a good chunk of possession time and not turn the football over, this should be a game where Aaron Rodgers turns back the clock.
Pittsburgh's defense will have a couple of starters out of their lineup, but even with that, they should be able to find success against the Colts.
Attack against the run, don't allow Taylor to get going, and force Jones into poor decisions to set up your offense for terrific scenarios. Any shortcomings in that approach could see Pittsburgh get sent home with another tough loss.
Although the Steelers appear to be the better team heading into this game, they could easily lose this contest. Expect Taylor to get his yards on the ground since the home club is missing some key pieces on defense. Jones should be ready to produce a couple of turnovers that go the other way and land in Pittsburgh's favor. Don't expect it to be a walk in the park, but the Steelers should get a win.
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