(Photo: Pickswise)
Special Preview- NFL, Week 15
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
Steelers: I’m not very happy with them and I haven’t been in the last two weeks if I’m being honest with you. I understand I’ve been on record saying in our league, there is no such thing as an “easy game” and I’ll always back that up with the saying that anyone can be beat on any given Thursday night, Saturday (college), Sunday, Sunday night and Monday night. One, they listened to everyone, myself included and finally decided to relieve Matt Canada of his duties as the Offensive Coordinator. That first game against the Cincinnati Bengals, I saw more of a pep in their offense! They were taking more shots down the field and for the first time all season, they accounted for over 400 yards of total offense! That’s the good. Here’s the reason why I’m disappointed with them. They dropped their last two games to teams who each had two wins on the year. The Steelers offense is far from the reason they have won football games. If anything, this team has won games in spite of the offense, not because of them and their defense should be receiving a game ball after every game for having to shoulder the responsibility so much. If I were playing right now, I always said there were a few coaches I would gladly put the helmet and shoulder pads for. Dan Campbell was one and Mike Tomlin is the other. He’s still one of the best coaches in the league today and will hold you accountable. They could easily be 9-4 right now, but instead, they sit at 7-6, a game over .500 and clinging on to a Wild Card spot in a very competitive AFC. On Saturday afternoon, they’ll face another team holding onto a Wild Card spot in Indianapolis.
Colts: I really didn’t know what to expect from them this year. Believe it or not, the AFC South has been more entertaining than many anticipated with Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the up and coming Houston Texans with C.J. Stroud and their Head Coach, DeMeco Ryans and these Colts, that’s where I draw the line because I didn’t remember the Titans (See what I did there?) This is a group under first-year Head Coach, Shane Steichen that plays hard and leaves everything on the field. After the Anthony Richardson injury, so many thought they’d reset and just throw the towel in until next season, but that wasn’t the case. This is a physical and downhill team that plays collectively together as a unit and this is why I always say it’s important to have a quality backup Quarterback in today’s day and age of the NFL. Gardner Minshew has come in and given this entire team a spark. The wins may not be the prettiest, but they are just that, wins and Gardner plays until that final whistle which I admire about him. They run the ball, the Offensive Line overbears you in the trenches and the defense can make the game ugly and make you one dimensional. When I previewed the AFC South in July of this year, I had the Colts winning six games and finishing in third place of the AFC South. Here they are now at 7-6 with four games remaining. They return home this Saturday for a huge showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers with some heavy Wild Card implications on the line here.
Steelers X-Factor: Elandon Roberts– He’s a true veteran in the game now. I remember Elandon’s days with the New England Patriots and now, he provides that veteran presence for one of the best defenses in the league today. I’ve always loved his instincts! Elandon is read and react and all downhill. Sometimes, I think he knows what play will be ran before the football is even snapped and that’s what makes a strong Linebacker, the instincts to know where to be and how to see the play unfold.
Colts X-Factor: Kwity Paye– I followed him closely during his college days at Michigan and he’s now become one of the Colts best defensive players. Along with DeForest Buckner, they have formed one of the better defensive tandems in the league. Kwity is so disruptive as both a run stopper and pass rusher. He’s got violent hands and knows how to maneuver his way around blockers. I love his pursuit of the Quarterback because he’s truly relentless and doesn’t stop to rush the passer. He leads the Colts in sacks this season with 7.5
Final Thoughts: This is a big time game in the AFC and there’s nothing like football on a Saturday in December! Both these teams enter this game with identical 7-6 records, The winner of this game will be in good shape while the loser will be reeling. Kenny Pickett won’t play again which means Mitchell Trubisky will be the starting Quarterback for the Steelers. My gameplan would be to run the football and get back to the Pittsburgh blueprint which is running the ball and playing strong defense. We all know the defense will rise to the occasion, can the offense do something at least? The Colts are looking to bounce back after losing to the Bengals in week 14. Taking care of the ball against this defense is crucial because this is one of those defenses you don’t want to give the ball back too because they will make you pay for it. I like the Colts at home here. They bounce back this Saturday.
Prediction: Colts 22, Steelers 17
