What's the good news? The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't very good, but that's not the key to the Indianapolis Colts leaving Steel Town with a win this weekend. There is, however, a much more important key the Colts must figure out and lean on, because it's the only thing working right now.
The Colts are heading into their clash with the Steelers riding a two-game win streak. They've distanced themselves—as far as they can, having played only four games—from two of their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, and are looking to keep up with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Indianapolis is 2-3 against Pittsburgh in their last five meetings going back to 2020, but has not won in Pittsburgh since 2008, when Peyton Manning was quarterbacking the Colts. Week 5 presents them with an opportunity to snap a five-game losing streak on the Steelers' home field, but they have to nail down their identity, and that will be the key factor in winning or losing.
The Indianapolis Colts have to find their identity on offense and ride it out starting against the Pittsburgh Steelers
What's the bad news? Manning covers Monday Night Football from his studio with his brother. This is Daniel Jones's responsibility now, and considering how things have looked for him in the early stages of this season, it might be wise for the Colts to lean heavily on something other than trying to break the rust off the passing attack.
Right now, whether Shane Steichen likes it or not, his team's chances of success rest on Jonathan Taylor and the running game—this is the key. It's also where the Colts must find their offensive identity, because the longer they wait for Jones to figure things out, the more time is wasted competing for a playoff spot, if waiting also translates into losing.
The only thing going for the Colts on offense is Taylor, who has carried the offense on his shoulders and remains one of the top running backs in the NFL. Steichen will be tasked with coming up with a solid offensive game plan to overcome Pittsburgh, and Taylor, not Jones, should be the focal point.
The amazing thing about Taylor so far is that he hasn't rushed for more than 100 yards in a game yet, and still, he's been the main offensive catalyst and a significant reason the Colts have two wins. Considering that the Steelers' pass rush with T.J. Watt can wreck any opponent, feeding Taylor might be the only path forward on Sunday.
The risk against the Steelers is forcing the pass game just to get Jones going. If it's not working, Steichen has to adjust, and Taylor is the right kind of adjustment.
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