Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Colts, Week 9
By Samuel Teets
After routing the Miami Dolphins with a comeback, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts on a short week’s rest.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rallied late in the second quarter of their Monday night matchup against the Miami Dolphins and went on to score 27 unanswered points in a comeback victory. Pittsburgh will not be so lucky against the Indianapolis Colts.
At 5-2, the Colts sit atop the AFC South and have the same record as the Baltimore Ravens. While it won’t be impossible for the Steelers to pull off an upset, it will be an uphill battle for Mason Rudolph and company.
With that in mind, here are three bold predictions for Pittsburgh in Week 9.
3. Brissett sacked season-high four times
The Colts have built one of the best offensive lines in football. The unit was originally designed to protect Andrew Luck, but it was passed on to Jacoby Brissett after the Pro Bowler’s retirement. Behind Indy’s line, anchored by Quenton Nelson, Brissett has only been sacked 11 times this season and only four times in a game once.
With Pittsburgh’s offense in such a sorry state, the defense has once again been called on to shoulder a large burden. As any Steelers fan knows, the pride and joy of the defense has always been the tough defensive front, armed with pass rushers galore.
While the current iteration of Pittsburgh’s pass rush doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators as in years past, the group is still very talented. Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt headline a unit that has posted 18 sacks in the previous four weeks. After a slow start to 2019, the pass rush is finally coming to life.
Brissett has performed well for the Colts when his protection holds up. However, in the three games where Brissett was sacked multiple times, the Colts won by only a combined ten points.
If the Steelers can continuously put pressure on Brissett and shake his resolve, then Pittsburgh will at least remain in the game for four quarters. If the defense gives Brissett too much time and he settled into a rhythm, then Pittsburgh won’t be able to keep up with Indianapolis’ offense.