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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions have a tradition that dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers GameDay Preview, an all-inclusive guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and Pittsburgh’s opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle with a weekly game story, score prediction, game day information, broadcast information, and complete breakdown of each team, complete with stats. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
STEELERS LOOK TO WEED OUT INCONSISTENCIES AGAINST INDIANAPOLIS
If you’re trying to figure out which Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) team is going to show up on any given weekend, good luck.
You’d have a better chance trying to guess the numbers for the Powerball.
Miscommunication and inconsistencies on offense and defense have been the main reasons the Steelers are 2-2 on the season.
Despite scoring on their opening drive last week against Cleveland, Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy had a heated exchange caught on the broadcast when a call was late to come into the huddle. T.J. Watt was also seen on video taking a sideline headset and ripping into the defensive coaches after Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense continued to carve up the Pittsburgh defense series after series.
“We’ve always had emotion,” Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said. “I don’t think that’s anything to shy away from. I’ve always been someone who tends to get a little feisty on the sideline. I’m not going to apologize for that. That’s part of the game. We hold ourselves to a high standard. We expect a lot out of our group. When we don’t, we’re pissed off because of it.”
To be brutally honest, the Steelers had no business losing that Thursday night game to Cleveland, and players like Heyward should be angry about why and how.
“There was a lot bothering me in that game,” Heyward said. “I just didn’t like the way the game was trending. There was a multitude of things. You can go back to any team and see there are times when it takes some of your leaders just getting a little more pissed off, and we shouldn’t apologize for that. We should embrace it in our game and we should move on and find how we can get better.”
A team with the largest payroll spent on defense has to be better. The tackling has been atrocious.
“Effort can always be better, but I wouldn’t say it’s the No. 1 thing,” Heyward said. “The first thing is tackling. If we clean that up, it will give us a chance to make a lot more plays, get off the field earlier. A lot of times, it’s the yards after contact. It’s preventing us from gaining a lot of steam play after play and putting an offense in tougher situations.”
Pittsburgh will have a chance to clean up their issues this weekend when the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) visit Acrisure Stadium this Sunday at 1:00 PM. Weather could be an issue as it’s expected to be a rainy affair most of the day.
Daniel Jones is the quarterback, and has passed for 754 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. He’s rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown, and has been sacked eight times.
Josh Downs is the Colts top wide receiver with 17 catches for 202 yards. Keenan Allen and Alec Pierce are both out injured. Laquon Treadwell has nine receptions for 123 yards.
Tight end Tyler Warren leads the team with 23 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Jonathan Taylor remains one of the league’s best backs, rushing for 353 yards and six touchdowns. he’s caught 10 passes for 69 yards.
On defense, the Colts will be without two starters in LB Jaylon Carlies and DE Arden Key.
The Colts are 13th in the NFL scoring 25.5 points a game, while ranked 26th giving up 26 a game.
The Steelers offense will have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, who has passed for 999 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s been sacked 13 times.
D.K. Metcalf has 16 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown. Roman Wilson is having a breakout season with 14 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Germie Bernard has seven catches for 60 yards. Michael Pittman has seven receptions for 89 yards but will be out several weeks with a foot injury. Ben Skowronek has caught three passes for 32 yards and a score.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth has 14 catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Darnell Washington has nine receptions for 119 yards and a TD.
Washington has become one of Rodgers favorite targets in the passing game.
“He’s a mountain of a man and he’s got great catch radius,” Rodgers said. “He’s a natural hands-catcher of the football and he just creates space by being humongous. You’ve just got to put it in his stratosphere, and he usually comes down with it. I love everything Darnell’s about.”
Jaylen Warren has been the man at running back, rushing for 309 yards, and catching 13 passes for 143 yards.
“Whatever they ask of me, I’ll do,” Warren said. “I’ll produce, whether that’s five plays or 50 plays.”
Rico Dowdle, who has been out for the last two games, has 37 yards rushing, and has caught four passes for 28 yards.
Dowdle is hopeful to return to action this week and take some of the load off of Warren’s shoulders.
“I think it’s a benefit to Rico and Jaylen to have them play as a 1-2 punch type,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think the most important thing is it’s a long year, but I’m still going to try to get the ball to Jaylen as much as we can.”
This week against a Colts offense that is only producing 284.3 yards a game, the Pittsburgh defense had better start living up to the high expectations expected of them.
“We hold ourselves to a high standard,” said Heyward. “We expect a lot out of our group. When we don’t, we’re pissed off because of it.”
Pittsburgh has a good chance at stacking some wins before their bye. Taking down a Colts team that had to travel home from London last game is a good place to start. After the Colts, the Steelers face very beatable teams in Tampa Bay (1-4 after beating Dallas Thursday night), New Orleans, a 1-3 team in Paris, and then a rematch with Cleveland at home.
If the Steelers expect to be the team they want to be, then 6-2 at the break isn’t much to ask for. Toss in the fact that the Ravens could be without Lamar Jackson for a game or two, and the Bengals having injury issues with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, this is a prime opportunity to make a move in the AFC North.
Speaking of that upcoming game in Paris… I really wish the NFL would consider cancelling that trip and moving that game back to the Superdome. The events happening in France are out of control and it’s not worth the risk to the players and personnel of both teams, not to mention the fans.
It’s going to be a wet affair Saturday night rolling into kickoff on Sunday, but it looks as if the rain will taper off a bit by 1:00, so the weather shouldn’t be too much of a factor in this game.
The Colts are hurting at receiver with Alec Pierce and Ashton Dulin out, along with Keenan Allen and Darius Slayton questionable with nagging injuries. You can surely expect the Steelers defense to be tested early and often by Jonathan Taylor. Tyler Warren will easily see seven to ten passes thrown in his direction.
The Steelers defense had better clean up the tackling, issues and shut down Taylor as much as possible. If the Colts are forced to play from behind and rely on Jones and the passing game, it could be feasting time for T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig in the sack department. Pittsburgh forced six turnovers and sacked Jones five times in last year’s 27-20 win over Indianapolis.
With Pittman out, Roman Wilson gets another chance to shine opposite of D.K. Metcalf, and also opens the door for Germie Bernard to showcase his skills.
Aaron Rodgers could be in for another big game with the Colts secondary allowing 261.3 yards a game through the air, which is 29th worst in the league.
Jaylon Warren has to be salivating looking at a Colts defense giving up 131 yards a game (26th), and will be even better with the return of Rico Dowdle in the backfield.
The Steelers seemed to be a very angry team this week in practice in regards to the quality of their play so far this season, and those emotions may have finally brought this team together to be focused and all business come kickoff.
The Hallmark of this team the past few seasons has been driving their fan-base to madness with their play one week, only to come out and look like Super Bowl contenders the next. This game seems to be pointing to the latter, so don’t be surprised to see this team finally put a solid 60 minutes into this game and humble the Colts from start to finish.
Game Prediction: Steelers 31 Colts 20
GameDay Information
Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) vs Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
Game-time: Sunday, October 11th, at 1:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Steelers -2.5
Weather at kickoff: 65 with a 50% chance of rain. Winds out of the ESE at 10 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: CBS | Local: KDKA-TV (Xfinity: Channel 802 | Dish: 2 | DirecTV: 2)
- Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play) J.J. Watt (analyst) | Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (field reporter)
National Radio: None
- Announcers: N/A (play-by-play) N/A (analysis)
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 2-2 (Tied for 2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Browns 27 Steelers 24
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- 1st Season with Steelers
Overall regular-season record: 176-114-2 | 2-2 with Steelers
Playoff record: 11-11
Team Links
Steelers Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 19.3 (23rd)
- Total yards per game: 344.5 (16th)
- Passing yards per game: 249.8 (14th)
- Rushing yards per game: 94.8 (22nd)
- Time of Possession: 30:41 (15th)
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers | #8
Passing Yards: 999 | TD Passes: 7 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 13
Rushing Yards: 12 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 3 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Jaylen Warren | #30
Rushing Yards: 309 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 143 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rico Dowdle* | #13
Rushing Yards: 37 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 28 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Riley Nowakowski (FB) | #37
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Eli Heidenreich | #29
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Travis Homer | #21
Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Lew Nichols | #31
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
D.K. Metcalf | #4
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 213 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Michael Pittman, Jr.* | #11
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Roman Wilson | #14
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 188 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Germie Bernard | #17
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 60 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kaden Wetjen | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 125 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Darnell Washington | #80
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 119 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Robert Tonyan | #85
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 2 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 6-6
Field Goals: 7-10
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 2-3
- 50+ yards: 1-3
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Troy Fautanu | #76
LG: Mason McCormick | #66
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Brock Hoffman | #67
RT: Max Iheanachor | #71
Steelers Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 21.8 (14th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 322.3 (13th)
- Passing yards allowed: 209.5 (12th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 112.8 (17th)
- Sacks: 10 (8th)
- Interceptions: 4 (4th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon* | #99
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1.5
OR
Yahya Black | #94
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 4.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
ROLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 0
OR Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Asante Samuel, Jr. | #22
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Jaquan Brisker | #3
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Rayshawn Jenkins | #20
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Jamel Dean* | #35
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Indianapolis Colts
Overall record: 2-2 (2nd in AFC South)
Last game: Colts 30 Commanders 13
Head Coach: Shane Steichen
- 4th Season with Indianapolis
- Overall regular-season record: 27-28 | 27-28 with Colts
- Playoff Record: 0-0
Team Links
Colts Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 25.5 (13th)
- Total Offense per game: 298 (25th)
- Passing yards per game: 188.5 (27th)
- Rushing yards per game: 109.5 (14th)
- Time of Possession: 30:53 (11th)
QUARTERBACK
Daniel Jones | #17
Passing Yards: 754 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 8
Rushing Yards: 21 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Anthony Richardson, Sr. | #5
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Jonathan Taylor | #28
Rushing Yards: 353 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 69 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Seth McGowan | #20
Rushing Yards: 45 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0
DJ Giddens | #21
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Josh Downs | #2
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 202 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Keenan Allen | #10
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 100 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Laquon Treadwell | #13
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 123 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Darius Slayton | #11
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Alec Pierce* | #14
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 72 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Ashton Dulin* | #16
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 29 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Deion Burks | #80
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Tyler Warren | #84
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 130 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Mo Alie-Cox | #81
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 16 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Spencer Shrader | #3
Extra Points: 9-10
Field Goals: 11-11
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 4-4
Colts Defense
Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 26 (27th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 392.3 (31st)
- Passing yards allowed: 261.3 (29th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 131 (26th)
- Sacks: 9 (14th)
- Interceptions: 1 (25th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Arden Key* | #98
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 0.5
DT: Grover Stewart | #90
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 0.5
DT: DeForest Buckner | #99
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 3
RDE: Laiatu Latu | #97
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Jaylon Carlies* | #57
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
MLB: Akeem Davis-Gaither | #51
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SLB: Bryce Boettcher | #50
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Sauce Gardner | #1
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: A.J. Haulcy | #25
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Cam Bynum | #0
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Charvarius Ward | #7
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Steelers vs Colts History
Series History: Began in 1950
Overall Record: 29-11
- Home: 18-3
- Away: 11-8
- Postseason: 5-0
Streak: (1) Steelers won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 27-20 (Nov. 2, 2025)
Last postseason meeting: AFC Divisional- Steelers Win, 21-18 (Jan. 15, 2006)
Injury Report (10/9/2026)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: S DeShon Elliot
Out: WR Michael Pittman (foot), CB Jamel Dean (Ankle)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Jalen Ramsey (Wrist), RB Rico Dowdle (Toe)
Indianapolis Colts
IR: TE Will Mallory (Thumb), WR Alec Pierce
Out: WR Ashton Dulin (Hamstring), LB Jaylon Carlies (Ribs), DE Arden Key (Hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Charvarious Ward Sr. (NIR/Rest), WR Keenan Allen (NIR/Rest, Groin), WR Darius Slayton (Knee)
* In designated to return from IR window
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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