INDIANAPOLIS -- Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' result, along with sharing a few related thoughts.
For a full preview of this matchup with the Colts, check my Kickoff.
Chris Halicke (5-5): It's all about stopping Jonathan Taylor. And, dare I say, he's regressed from his monster 2021 season. He's still a very lethal threat, but the Steelers' run defense is the best it's been in a long time. And, they're healthy. On the other side, the Steelers will be challenged on the ground. The Colts will be zeroing in on Najee Harris with Jaylen Warren out nursing a hamstring injury, and Kenny Pickett will be throwing against a very tough Colts secondary that's limiting receiver production better than almost any other team in the NFL.
That being said, I think the Steelers can and will bottle up Taylor to keep him from leading the Colts to victory, and I do not think Matt Ryan and the passing game will have any success. This is the game T.J. Watt becomes the catalyst for the defense as the Colts have allowed more sacks than anyone else in football. The Steelers will pull off a couple of big plays, which will be enough to edge out a victory on Monday Night Football. Steelers, 17-16
Matt Williamson (4-6): This is going to be a long scoring game, but I actually trust the Steelers offense more of the two to create big plays. They can’t allow Taylor to control this game or lose the turnover battle by more than one, but Mike Tomlin is 18-3 on Monday Night…and that isn’t a fluke. Steelers, 20-17
Ramon Foster (4-6): I'll be honest. Cam Heyward might end up having a field day on Quenton Nelson. He's not had a good year. Their O-line has been giving it up. I expect the Steelers to get after the quarterback. They have one wide receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. I'm over the moon about him, but I'm not over the moon about how they're using him. They've flip-flopped at quarterback. They fired the head coach (Frank Reich), unjustifiably so. They're 1-1 since Jeff Saturday took over. It's really just a crap show of an organization right now. I expect the Steelers to win. Steelers, 17-10
Dejan Kovacevic (3-7): I’d love to trust the Steelers’ trenches. Either side. Even just for a night. Because if I could, I’d feel this only by about a billion percent. As it is, I’m as bullish about Harris having a big day as I am this defensive front stopping/slowing Taylor. Colts, 27-13
Let's have your picks in the comments!