WEEK 3: STEELERS - COLTS

              

  

This could be an interesting game for the Steelers. I say "could" because Kerry Collins has been effective against them before. However, that was with the Tennessee Titans. This week the Indianapolis Colts are not even yesteryear's Titans. In Week 1 they were crushed by the Houston Texans, a team I have been picking to do well for at least the last three seasons, and in Week 2 they lost to none other than the Cleveland Browns AT HOME. This year I think the Texans ARE legitimately good (the Steelers have to play at Houston next week) and the Browns are improving. 

Collins passed for just under 200 yards in each game but is 27th is passer rating at 71.4. Their primary runner, Joseph Addai, rushed for only 39 yards against the Texans and could manage only 64 yards against Cleveland. The Texan's defense is above average but the jury is still out concerning the quality of Cleveland's.

Ben Roethlisberger is passing for just under 290 yards per game but his rating is only 79.4 due to 3 interceptions, all against the Ravens in the Week 1 debacle; to go with 2 lost fumbles. There hasn't been much talk this week about Ben's knee injury so I'm assuming no news is good news.

The big stat is the Steelers are still looking for their first takeaway having given up a total of 7 this year already, all against the Ravens. Last season, the Steelers were second in the AFC in takeaways with 35; something that has got to change if they want to at least win their division. I think this week Troy Polamalu will provide at least one after having dropped a sure "pick-six" last week.

Unfortunaely for the Colts their woes will continue as their defense is just not strong enough to handle the WR speed the Steelers showed against Seattle. A similar game plan is indicted against the Colts as was used against Seattle with a mix of more no-huddle offense. 


The defense should get at least two takeaways which will be enough to overcome the Colts. The Steeler D probably won't pitch a shutout this week but should get close to one as a big win is needed prior to travelling to Houston next week in what could be a siginificant turning point in the Texans season. The only thing that may make is close is the knowledge that another loss would essentially end the Colts hopes for 2011.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 27 COLTS 7