Pittsburg, PA
Two things we learned in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pittsburgh Steelers faced an undermanned Indianapolis Colts team that lost their starting quarterback in the first quarter but could not come back to knock off the Colts. The Steelers now have to address these issues at the surface in a game that exposed many flaws that were there for the first three games.
However, here are the three most important things that we learned from this game that the Steelers should look to fix before their game against the Dallas Cowboys:
There is a Linebacker problem
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense faltered at every level against the Indianapolis Colts, but Colts head coach Shane Steichen zeroed in on Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen and went to work. Their run game calls put those linebackers in conflict often, and the quick game that was so effective underneath against the heavy Cover 3 defense spliced and diced the Steelers all game. Pittsburgh had no answer for Steichen’s attack on the linebackers, and he exploited their coverage rules. Part of that is on Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who need to adjust to that. Steichen especially attacked the Steelers’ push calls.
However, Wilson and Queen struggled to fit the run and had some ugly reps out of their gaps. On top of that, the two players were beaten in coverage a few times by taking themselves out of the play. The Steelers do need to improve at linebacker, and the team really needs more out of Patrick Queen.
The Run Game Issues
The Steelers’ run game outside of Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Fields is dead. Najee Harris has not been able to get going, and there are a few reasons why, so let me try to break down what the film showed.
For one, the Steelers keep asking Van Jefferson to insert block and dig out safeties. He has been atrocious at this all season, and it is killing the run game. Their schematics have to adjust, or they need to change personnel because Jefferson can not block well, and it is allowing another defender a free rush.
Another is that the Steelers’ splits have started to become predictable. Teams are lining up eight in the box and blitzing a free man off the edge because of their tendencies, but the Colts could no longer do that in the second half when the Steelers started to throw the ball more.
Najee Harris is just not a good fit for this style of running game. You need instant explosiveness to get downhill and maximize yardage, especially on open cut-back lanes. Harris does not have the instant acceleration for that, and that is why Patterson always maximizes what he gets while Harris’ plodding style, that can work in other schemes, falls flat.
Arthur Smith is not doing a good job of putting his personnel in the best position to succeed. They need to do a lot of self-scouting this week.
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Video: How can the Bengals still make the playoffs?
Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway breaks down the potential path to a Bengals appearance in the post season.
Among the several things that need to happen for the Cincinnati Bengals to defy the odds and make the NFL playoffs: Cincinnati needs to beat Denver on Saturday in Week 17, and the Bengals also need the Broncos to lose their Week 18 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs haven’t clinched the top seed in the AFC, but they can do so with a win or a Buffalo loss. The Chiefs’ Week 17 game is against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.
The Chiefs won’t have anything to play for in Week 18 if they win in Pittsburgh, and likely would be inclined to rest their starters. That would not be a favorable scenario for a Bengals’ team rooting against Denver.
The Chiefs won’t rest their starters if the top seed remains in play in Week 18.
NFL.com estimates the Bengals’ playoff probability at 8 percent.
The Bengals also need the Miami Dolphins to lose to the Browns in Cleveland or the Jets in New York. And Cincinnati needs the Indianapolis Colts to lose to the Giants in New York or at home against Jacksonville.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers veteran linebacker Tyler Matakevich suffered a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens and would have missed practice on Sunday, the team estimated on their Sunday injury report.
Matakevich missed multiple games with a hamstring injury earlier this season but has returned and become a core part of the special teams room. If he can not play, the Steelers have inside linebacker Devin Harper on the practice squad, or they could turn to someone else, like Jonathan Ward, to encapsulate what Matakevich does on special teams.
Matakevich plays on all units, including both coverage teams. The Steelers re-signed him this offseason from the Buffalo Bills to help bolster their special teams units with the new NFL kickoff rules. He has four tackles in nine games for the team on those units.
With just four days until the Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs, any new injuries will have a tough time healing before that game, and it seems likely that those players will have to sit or play through the injury on short rest.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Steven Sims is searching for a new NFL home after the Houston Texans cut ties with the 27-year-old WR and kick returner. The Texans announced the move following the elevation of another receiver to their 53-man roster for their Week 16 matchup.
This was the former Steelers receiver’s second season in Houston. In seven games as the team’s returner, he returned seven kick-offs for 195 yards but failed to find the end zone. He wasn’t factoring into then offense at all, with just one carry and three receptions through his seven weeks of action.
The Steelers are quite familiar with Sims. During the 2022 season, he became the team’s primary kick and punt returner. He also became a fixture in the offense as a slot receiver. As a receiver, he hauled in 14 receptions on 23 targets for 104 yards and zero touchdowns. He also added on 13 rushing attempts for 70 yards.
He was much more productive in the return game. The speedy receiver fielded 19 punts over 12 games with the Steelers, collecting 105 yards. On kick-offs, he had 17 attempts for 434 yards, including a season-long of 89 yards.
In his career, Sims has made a name for himself on special teams. He broke into the league with the Washington Commanders and had a sensational rookie season in 2019 as a returner. That year he had 32 return attempts and collected 819 yards, including a 91-yard return for the sole return touchdown of his five-year career.
Sims went undrafted in the NFL following his collegiate career at Kansas. With the Jayhawks, he hauled in at least 50 catches in three straight seasons. His career best came as a sophomore, when he racked up 859 yards and seven touchdowns over 12 games.
It’s been a tough week for former Steelers receivers. Sims joins former star receiver Diontae Johnson in the free agent market. Johnson had recently been acquired by the rival Baltimore Ravens but lasted just a few weeks before being released.
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