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3 Truths and 1 Lie About the Indianapolis Colts Heading Into Week 5 at the Pittsburgh Steelers
(By Neal Coolong)
https://athlonsports.com/nfl/indiana...burgh-steelers
Truth: Jonathan Taylor Is Carrying the Offense
Jonathan Taylor has 353 rushing yards and 6 of the team’s 7 rushing TD's through 4 games. He has scored twice in 3 of those games, including 20 carries for 95 yards and 2 TD's in London against the Commanders. His 4.1 YPC is modest, but no one else on the roster has more than one rushing touchdown.
He has also held up in pass protection, posting an 83.7 pass-blocking grade according to PFF ...... that matters this week ...... TJ Watt leads the Steelers with 4.5 sacks, and the Colts have allowed 8 sacks on the season.
Truth: The Passing Game Has Not Found a Gear
Daniel Jones has thrown for 754 yards in 4 games, an average of 188.5 per game, with 3 TD passes and 4 INT's. His passer rating sits at 73.9, and his season offense grade is 54.8 according to PFF. Josh Downs leads the team with just 202 receiving yards.
Sunday offers an opening. Pittsburgh ruled out cornerback Jamel Dean with an ankle injury, and Jalen Ramsey is questionable with a wrist injury. If Jones cannot move the ball through the air against a depleted secondary, it is fair to wonder when he will.
Truth: Turnovers Are the Biggest Threat to This Team
The Colts have 8 giveaways ...... 4 INT's and 4 lost fumbles. Their defense has forced only 2. Giveaways nearly cost them against Houston, when they turned it over 3 times and still escaped with a 19-17 win. They have committed at least one turnover in every game.
Pittsburgh’s defense has 8 takeaways, and Watt already has a 35-yard pick-6. The Colts will also be without linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who has the team’s only INT and is out with a ribs injury.
Lie: The Colts' Defense Can't Stop Anybody
Baltimore and Kansas City piled up a combined 1,029 yards in the first 2 games of the season, and that reputation stuck ...... Houston and Washington managed 540 yards and 30 points combined over the last 2. Opponents are converting just 29.2% of 3rd downs, 14 of 48. DeForest Buckner leads the team with 3 sacks and has 14 pressures according to PFF, while Laiatu Latu has 13.
The concern is depth up front. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Arden Key will miss “some time” with a hamstring injury, and Key had 11 pressures according to PFF. Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 13 times, and he will play without Michael Pittman Jr. on Sunday.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Acrisure Stadium on CBS. Watch the turnover column first ...... if the Colts keep it even, Taylor and a steadier defense give them a real chance to leave Pittsburgh with a record of 3-2.
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