Preview: 2015 – Game 12 – Indianapolis Colts

The scene is all too familiar if you are the Steelers.

Heading into this same match-up last season, Pittsburgh was hanging 1 game above .500 after alternating wins and losses. They were not expected to beat Andrew Luck and the Colts, but instead, they did: in what became a 51-34 shootout, Ben Roethlisberger had a career day throwing for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns with no interceptions.

The scene is not as familiar for the Colts, who are hanging onto the lead in their division over the Houston Texans by virtue of tiebreakers, as they share a 6-5 record. Pittsburgh, also with a 6-5 record, find themselves in the 8th spot in the standings, where only 6 teams make it into the postseason, with the Chiefs and the Jets also ahead of them. With 5 games all against AFC opponents to close out the season, it’s imperative that Pittsburgh win Sunday’s game to jump back into one of the 2 wild card positions, or at least stay in contention.

The Colts are also fighting for their postseason lives, as a loss may derail them from their own division lead. Not working in their favor is the loss of Andrew Luck, their starting quarterback. Starting in his place is 40-year-old Matt Hassellbeck, who has started 4 games this season, winning all of them.

The Steelers are no strangers to backup passers themselves, with Ben Roethlisberger on and off the shelf this season. Ben was in concussion protocol to start the week, after being pulled from last Sunday’s Seattle game due to a hit to his face/head area. He is expected to play, and the Steelers will need him: the team is an even 2-2 with their own backups (not including a victory credited to “starting” QB Landry Jones against the Browns, when Jones made way for “backup” Roethlisberger.)

Quarterback play aside, the Colts rank 17th in the league in both points scored and points allowed. Their offense is 14th in passing and 26th in rushing, which should benefit a stout Pittsburgh rushing defense, but brings to mind calls made earlier this week by the Steelers coaching staff to “shake up” the secondary. This game may be the opportunity needed to get CB Brandon Boykin on the field, and perhaps give Robert Golden another shot (one he lost by Will Allen returning to good health.)

It will be interesting to see the Steelers approach on this side of the ball, with LB Sean Spence officially listed as out with a hamstring injury. Spence is Ryan Shazier‘s backup, and Shazier was also in concussion protocol and listed as probable on Friday’s injury report. Also making the list on the defensive side of the ball are LB James Harrison and S Mike Mitchell. Both are expected to suit up.

On the offensive side of things, Pittsburgh will face a Colts defense which is 27th and 24th against the pass and run respectively. Injuries continue on this side of the ball as well, with both starting tight ends in jeopardy Sunday. Heath Miller is questionable with a rib injury while Matt Spaeth is probable, as he continues to nurse his knee. If one cannot go, we will see more of rookie Jesse James, who has seen more action over the last month and is highly praised by Miller. WR Martavis Bryant is also listed as probable, for a hip injury, but should be a “full go” for Sunday.

Overall the Steelers will need to limit their mistakes in a Sunday Night Football showcase for a national audience. The Colts are 26th in takeaways, so giving the ball away is not an option. While I like the aggression shown by Coach Tomlin against Seattle, a few of the decisions (such as the fake field goal) dug the team a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Hopefully the change of Sunday Night’s officiating crew bodes better for the Steelers, who arguably had 2 of those turnovers in the Seattle game go against their favor by way of missed calls. Regardless of the calls or no calls, the mistakes cannot be made, and you have to play with the hand you’re dealt.

For all intents and purposes, that hand should be full of aces, against a struggling Colts team still trying to find it’s identity, the Steelers can find their own: just as they did when scoring 51 points against them last season.