The good and the bad from Colts streak-breaking win against Steelers

The good from Colts Week 15 win over Steelers (continued)

Shane Steichen and staff continue to shine

This was by far the best game we have seen this season from the Colts offense. Steichen has been thrown plenty of issues this season and handled them all. There are too many to list for this but this week with injuries to his two starting players on offense, he quickly changed the game plan to adapt to what he had available. Steichen’s adaptability and preparation are some of his best traits but his best trait might be the faith he has in the players around him.

He trusted his duo of Sermon and Goodson to make plays and believed in DJ Montgomery to not miss a beat with Pittman leaving the game. He also kept the team believing after the early struggles down 13-0 to then score 30 unanswered points and dominate both sides of ball. This coaching staff completely outcoached this Steelers football team for most of the game and the credit goes to Steichen and his staff for this one.

Colts played clean football

Not only did the Colts staff out coach the Steelers staff this week, they beat them in nearly every major category that matters week in and week out. On the offensive side of the ball, the Colts were able to convert more third downs, going 6-of-15 while Pittsburgh went 4-for-12. Indy was also able to beat the Steelers in time of possession, rush yards, passing yards and yards per play.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts created three turnovers. Cross had an interception and veteran safety Julian Blackmon had one fumble recovery and an interception at the end of the game. They also held Pittsburgh to four yards per play in the game. While the Steelers had some self-inflicted wounds with eight penalties that cost them 101 yards, the Colts never allowed them to really get a rhythm going after the 13-0 start. Colts pass rush also showed up again with another four sacks.

Most importantly, the Colts won the turnover battle as Indianapolis has zero turnovers this week and the Steelers had three (two from Mitch Trubisky). Again, the Colts also won time of possession as Steichen and his staff really wore down the defense and allowed them to finish them off. Steichen promised that his teams would “throw to score points and run to win.” Steichen did just that this weekend and showed the formula to winning football.

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