The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a losing performance in Week 14, a 21-18 Loss to the New England Patriots, and with it being the team’s sixth loss many fans’ hopes were dashed as the team is pressing towards a hopeful AFC Playoff berth. The hope is there is a better performance on the horizon on Saturday in Week 15 when the team travels to the Indianapolis Colts.

What exactly do the Steelers need to do to claim their eighth victory of 2023? Let’s break it down by offense and defense…

Offense

Run the rock

The Colts’ run defense is absolutely the weakest part of the unit. Maybe, for once, the Steelers will be able to exploit that weakness and help ease the burden on their quarterback with trying to win the game. If there was a game where it would be great to see the Steeler rattle off 5-6 yards per clip on their way down the field equating in touchdowns, it would be this game.

Don’t turn it over

For the love of all things holy, the Steelers need to control the football. Kenny Pickett is far from an elite quarterback, but you also knew he wasn’t going to make those critical mistakes. Meanwhile, with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback you almost expect the critical mistake. Time to curtail the turnovers and lean on the running game.

Convert when it matters

The “weighty downs” are still an issue with the Steelers, mainly on 3rd down and the red-zone. The past two games the Steelers have been absolutely atrocious in both areas. If they want to win, and keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll need to improve in both areas. If not, their hopes will die quickly.

Defense

Sack the QB

The Steelers are known for their bookend pass rushers, but they haven’t been getting after the quarterback much in recent weeks. This isn’t pointing at poor play by T.J. Watt and/or Alex Highsmith, but the opposition not putting their quarterback in a position to be sacked. Short drop backs and quick throws have been the means of moving the ball against the Steelers defense, and it has limited their ability to get after the quarterback. For me, I’d love to see a player like Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward have a tremendous game putting pressure on the quarterback up the middle, forcing the quarterback into sacks and/or mistakes.

Take it away

Just like the sacks have decreased the past few weeks, the takeaways have dried up as well. This Steelers defense, and really the team, was built around minimizing big plays, not turning it over, and taking the ball away. Recently they’ve been turning it over, and not taking it away. It’s been a recipe for disaster, but one which can be rectified vs. the Colts. It starts with the defense giving the offense much-needed extra possessions.

Bend, don’t break

Just like the offense struggling in the red-zone, the defense has been bending, and breaking. They allowed the Patriots to score 2 touchdowns on 2 red-zone trips last week, and three overall touchdowns in the first half. Bending is allowed, giving up yards, but breaking isn’t. If the Steelers stand a chance, it is to force the Colts into field goals, not touchdowns, in hopes of keeping the Indianapolis offense off 20 points. That feat has only been done twice this season.

I talk about this, and MUCH more on the latest episode of “Let’s Ride”, and you can hear that podcast in the player below this article. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they gear up for game time!