Steelers Scouting Report: Week 12 versus the Indianapolis Colts – Steel City Underground

Metal Metropolis Underground’s “Steelers Scouting Report” is a preview of every opponent Pittsburgh will face all through the 2022-23 NFL common season on a weekly foundation, with evaluation, damage information, and potential key matchups.

Following a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the highway for a primetime Monday Evening Soccer assembly with the Indianapolis Colts for Week 12 of the 2022 NFL common season. Pittsburgh had a few additional days to make changes and heal up and will likely be seeking to get on observe.

The Colts, who’ve modified head coaches mid-season and have handled their very own points, would take pleasure in grabbing a win of their very own.

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Colts offense

Jeff Saturday performed within the NFL and took over teaching duties from Frank Reich, however he’s in a troublesome state of affairs with the way in which his offense has been performing. The truth that it has been the protection holding this squad’s heads above turned all to clear, particularly after final week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Whereas the Colts protection held the Eagles offense to its lowest factors scored this season, the Indianapolis offense was painful to look at. With veteran quarterback Matt Ryan again underneath heart, the Colts’ offense was alarming within the variety of sacks allowed and penalties accrued. That led to 1 landing in three journeys into the pink zone.

“We didn’t execute… too many errors, too many penalties, too many unfavorable performs, lacking kicks. You simply can’t play a crew that good and provides them that many alternatives.” – interim HC Jeff Saturday

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Working again Jonathan Taylor headlined a Colts offense that began sizzling in Week 11. A gifted again, Taylor places most NFL run defenses on discover. He’s fast and versatile. The Colts will make the most of him to check the Steelers’ line of defense and inside on Monday evening.

Sadly, as the sport continued in opposition to Philly, the offense received sloppy and inconsistent. Rookie left sort out Bernhard Raimann has taken a whole lot of warmth for an offensive line that has shifted gamers to be efficient but has nonetheless allowed a league-high 40 sacks via eleven weeks of play.

“A number of ought to’ve, would’ve, might’ve.” – Middle Ryan Kelly on the offense

The Colts offense has been so ineffectual that it has left it’s high-calibre protection within the lurch time and time once more. “It’s boring,” quarterback Matt Ryan mentioned, “however we now have to execute higher than we now have. The satan’s within the particulars. It’s again and again and again and again.”

Whether or not Indianapolis can do this – run constant performs sequence after sequence – in opposition to a Steelers protection that has T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith making use of so much stress from the sides and a squad that has been discovering methods to get turnovers previously three weeks stays to be seen.

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Colts protection

Indianapolis has fielded a protection this season which were giving some All Professional, elite-level showings from guys like Stephon Gilmore and DeForest Buckner. Linebackers Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin aren’t any shirks, both. Sadly, their efforts are for naught when the offense can’t produce factors.

The Steelers have skilled related points – not too long ago and within the close to previous – which makes this week’s sport between these two groups an attention-grabbing pairing; two groups who’ve been cold and warm in entrance of loyal followers who’re pissed off.

Linebacker Shaquille Leonard will likely be missed. He’s anticipated to require the rest of the season off after a second again surgical procedure is required.

Defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue is coming into Week 12 with 6.5 sacks this season, and he’s recorded at the very least a half-sack in every of his final 5 video games.

Indianapolis hasn’t allowed opponents to attain greater than 20 factors in opposition to them in all however three video games in eleven weeks. That presents an actual problem for Kenny Pickett and a Steelers offense that has but to place an entire sport collectively in each the run and go.

The Colts are a crew that struggles as a result of their protection is being requested to avoid wasting each sport. Because of this, they’re typically the underdog in matches this season. That they aren’t in opposition to Pittsburgh, at the very least as of Friday, appears to be a sign that analysts have little religion in both groups’ offense and imagine this sport will likely be a defensive battle.

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Colts damage report

NFL Week 12 observe report (Thursday & Friday)

Observe: Designations are “Didn’t take part” (DNP), “Restricted participation” (LP), “Full participation” (FP), and “-” (not listed).