View topic - BEAT THE COLTS

[steelwest Profile]

The Colts game is a contest that only the Steelers could make close. On the positive side, the Steelers seem to turn up the intensity for these Sunday night contests. The Steelers outclass the Colts talentwise all over the field. And if the Colts could not handle the Browns at home, you have to be confident about our chances.
On the other hand, the one strength of the Colts is rushing the passer -- and we have the weakness on the O-Line. Collins also knows our defense very well so he will not be surprised by what he sees. If he is on target, the Colts may have opportunities.
Motivation will be key. This game will show if the Steelers can have consistent motivation or whether they have the Super Bowl hangover.
Key matchups will be our corners versus Wayne and Garcon, our coverage of Dallas Clark, and our O-Line versus their D-Line.
If I were in Vegas this weekend, I would need to be getting 20 points to think about taking the Colts. Hopefully, the Steelers will play it that way.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Collins can make some plays if he is given time. He has a big arm, and can hit the deep out pass which is an achilles heel of the secondary's keep everything in front mantra.

Kerry looked real good vs. the Stillers in the quarter n' a half he played last season behind Tennessee's offensive line, but the Colts unit doesn't have nearly the same level of cohesion up front right now as compared to the Titans. Collins has been sacked 5 times in 69 attempts, or @ 1 out of every 14 drop backs. That is 2 1/2 times more (1 out of 37 drop backs) than he was sacked in his last season as a full time starter in 08. It is also 3 times (1 out of 42 drop backs) as much as Manning a season ago.

Anyone who was retired a month ago at this time (Kerry Collins) isn't going to hang tough against a fierce Stillers pass rush. The Colts won't be running the ball on Pittsburgh, so getting after him should be that much easier. Collins looks ripe in this situation to throw picks and fumble.

The Stillers must not commit foolish turnovers, and run the ball to control the tempo of the game. Indianapolis has a lot of speed defensively, particularly on the d-line. Pittsburgh would be wise not to force itself into a clear drop back and pass scenario.