The Indianapolis Colts arrived in Pittsburgh riding a two-game winning streak. They may have been a bit jet-lagged after their sloppy win in London last week, as they had serious execution issues on both sides of the field in this loss.
Of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve credit for making the most of their long week to get ready for this one. They were the most prepared team, and it showed from start to finish, especially down the stretch.
A lot that could've gone wrong went wrong in this one, but the most surprising issue was watching some of the team's go-to guys struggle so much. Here, we'll talk about four starters who didn't live up to the standard.
4 Indianapolis Colts starters who struggled vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones' regression looks more real after this one. He didn't turn the ball over, which is obviously major progress, but not because he didn't put the ball in harm's way. In fact, he put Tyler Warren in contested catch situations way too often.
Jone has missed touch this season. He's missing guys left and right, and he's looking too shaky under pressure. He took just one sack, but completed only 24 of 44 passes and didn't have a passing touchdown.
Bryce Boettcher
While it's still too early to anoint Bryce Boettcher as a star, he's gotten some more run because of injuries and has played the third-most snaps among the Colts' linebackers this season. That might change after this one, unless injuries force Lou Anarumo to keep him on the field.
Boettcher got beaten pretty badly on an 80-yard touchdown run that set the tone early. His missed tackle cost the team six points, and he missed another one later in the game. There are huge expectations around him, and he failed this time.
Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen was supposed to be the team's third-down specialist. He's never been an explosive player, but the way he's failed to create any sort of space after the catch has been somewhat baffling for a player of his caliber.
He finished the game with five receptions for 45 yards despite drawing nine targets, tied for the most on the team. Thus far, he hasn't done anything to justify being on the field, and Darius Slayton should get some of his snaps once he's ready.
Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor is still one of the best running backs in the game, but he's been stuffed way too many times at the line this season. Whether that's a blocking issue or he's not being patient enough is for everyone at home to debate.
Taylor averaged a horrid 3.0 yards per carry on this one. The game was within reach for three-quarters, so it wasn't a negative script issue; he just wasn't finding any room. He's averaging just 3.9 yards per carry this season.
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