Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14 years old) was forced out of bounds by New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33 years old) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (31 years old) after catching a pass during the second half of a football game. Football in the NFL on Thursday, December 7th. 2023 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jane J. Pushkar)
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is a playoff veteran, so he understands the ramifications of Saturday’s showdown with Pittsburgh.
“It’s a playoff game, you know what I mean?” Buckner said. “This is how you have to approach it this week. Every week from now on is crucial if we want to get to the playoffs.
The two-time Pro Bowler hopes the message resonates with younger teammates who may not have experienced this type of high-stakes matchup in December.
The Colts and Steelers have a lot of similarities.
They are both 7-6 and started Week 15 sitting in the bottom two of the AFC playoffs. Injuries forced both teams to resort to reserve midfielders, and both hope to recover from last week’s embarrassing losses.
The Steelers have only lost their last two. They became the first NFL team with a winning record to lose back-to-back home games to teams at least eight games under .500. They have topped the 20-point mark just once in their last seven games.
“I share their frustration.” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “Our business is to win. The last two weeks, we haven’t taken business and we understand that, so we’re operating and operating with an advantage.”
Meanwhile, Indy had its four-game winning streak snapped by Cincinnati, but has struggled to run the ball lately. Its last three wins have come by a total of 14 points, thanks in large part to turnovers and non-offensive touchdowns. The Colts have also lost eight straight games to the Steelers, most recently on November 28, 2022.
Saturday’s result could go a long way in determining whether either team advances to the playoffs, as neither has had much success recently. Indy hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2018 season, and Pittsburgh’s last playoff win was two years ago.
At the very least, this game could have a playoff feel.
“I think that’s the beauty of being in the playoff race, at this point in the season we have to treat every game like a playoff game.” Julian Blackmon said of the Colts’ safety. “If we took control of our destiny, I think we would like the results.”
Next protocol
Steelers outside linebackers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith spent the week in the concussion protocol and while Watt has been cleared to play, Highsmith remains questionable after doing limited work in Wednesday’s practice.
When both are healthy, the Steelers have one of the best pass rushing duos in the league. Watt and Highsmith have combined for 20 sacks, 43 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and two TDs. Their production is a big reason why Pittsburgh remains in the playoffs despite their struggling offense.
Home problems
Indy hasn’t had much of a home advantage over the past two seasons — or in this series. The Colts have gone 2-9 in their last 11 games at Lucas Oil Stadium, going 2-4 this season while losing their only two games of possession at home.
Pittsburgh 4-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indy’s most painful loss in the divisional playoff round came after the 2005 season, when the Steelers knocked off the top-seeded Colts.
First-year coach Shane Steichen believes this time might be different.
“I think our fans will be ready to go.” He said. “I think our fans will show up loud. Our fans will be ready.”
Keep it simple
Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky took over after last week’s loss to New England, saying he needed to play better to give the offense a chance to win.
Maybe avoiding turnovers like his ill-advised pass into triple coverage that was picked off and directly led to a Patriots touchdown would be enough. Pittsburgh is 4-1 when it doesn’t give the ball away and 2-5 when it does. Putting Trubisky in a position to make quick decisions instead of holding the ball is part of the solution.
“How can we narrow down the game plan where he can play fast and get the ball out of his hands (and) get it to our playmakers?” Interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner said. “Our thoughts are always on better ways to do this.”
Saturday’s throwback
Indy will wear a throwback uniform modeled after the 1956 Baltimore Colts, which featured Pittsburgh native Johnny Unitas at quarterback.
Saturday’s uniform will have three stripes around the shoulder pad and on the socks, a single blue stripe on the pants and a horseshoe on the lower back of the helmet. Player numbers will have a slightly different font and appear higher on the shoulder. Colts fans will also wear replica costumes from the 1950s.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be facing off against the Indianapolis Colts in a highly anticipated match-up that is sure to have sports fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams have had their fair share of successes and challenges this season, making this game a crucial one for their standings. With a strong roster and a history of thrilling performances, the Steelers are gearing up to take on the Colts in a showdown that promises to be a must-watch for sports enthusiasts. This game is not only a test of skill and strategy, but also a significant opportunity for both teams to solidify their position in the league. As the excitement builds for this upcoming clash, fans are eager to see which team will emerge victorious.