Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Hardest matchups for the secondary in 2019
By Samuel Teets
3. T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts) – Week 9
The last time the Indianapolis Colts and Steelers collided was Week 10 back in 2017. Pittsburgh pulled out a 20-17 win and T.Y. Hilton was held to just two receptions for 23 yards on four targets. However, this all happened while Andrew Luck was unable to play. As a result, Hilton’s stats across the board suffered in 2017.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
With Jacoby Brissett starting in Luck’s place, Hilton finished 2017 with 57 receptions, 966 yards and four touchdowns. All of those numbers are either the worst or second-worst single-season totals he’s posted in those categories. The only other season in Hilton’s seven-year career where he hasn’t recorded 1,000 receiving yards was his rookie season in 2012. He wasn’t even a full-time starter that year.
Hilton and the Colts also played the Steelers in Week 12 back in 2016. The Steelers won, 28-7, and Hilton finished the game with just three receptions for 54 yards on five targets. However, that was the one week in 2016 that Luck didn’t start. Instead, Scott Tolzien was in at quarterback for the Colts.
Luck was also absent for the Week 13 game between Indy and Pittsburgh. Once again, Hilton turned in pedestrian numbers. He posted three receptions for 36 yards.
The last time both Hilton and Luck played against the Steelers was in Week 8 of 2014. The Colts lost 51-34, but Hilton recorded six receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown while Luck threw for 400 yards.
Basically, Hilton’s success against the Steelers in the past has relied entirely on Luck’s presence. With Luck, he’s a nightmare matchup capable of averaging over 90 receiving yards per game. Without him, Hilton is much tamer. Assuming Luck is healthy when the Colts and Steelers meet in Week 9, we should see Hilton post numbers much closer to his 2014 totals than those in from recent years.