INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — DeForest Buckner of the Indianapolis Colts is a playoff veteran, so he understands the significance of Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It’s a playoff game, you know what I mean?” Buckner explained. “That is how you must approach this week. Every week from now on will be crucial if we are to make the playoffs.”
The two-time Pro Bowler hopes that message reaches his younger teammates, who may have never played in a high-stakes December game.
The similarities between the Colts and the Steelers are numerous.
Both are 7-6 and began Week 15 in the AFC’s final two playoff spots. Injuries have forced both teams to rely on backup quarterbacks, and both are hoping to rebound from last week’s humiliating defeats.
The Steelers haven’t just lost their last two games. They became the first NFL team with a winning record to lose consecutive home games to teams that were at least eight games below.500. And they’ve only scored more than 20 points once in their last seven games.
“I share their frustration,” said Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. “Our company is doing well. We have not handled business in the last few weeks, and we understand that, so we’re working and working with an edge.”
Meanwhile, Indy’s four-game winning streak was snapped by Cincinnati, but the team has struggled to run the ball recently. Its last three victories were by a combined 14 points, owing primarily to turnovers and non-offensive touchdowns. The Colts have also lost eight consecutive games to the Steelers, most recently on November 28, 2022.
The outcome of Saturday’s game could determine whether either team makes the playoffs, where neither has had much recent success. Indy hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2018 season, and Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game in two years.
At the very least, this game has the feel of a playoff game.
“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 it’s a playoff game,” Julian Blackmon, a safety for the Colts, said. “If we control our own destiny, I think we’ll like the results.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71054966/DeForest_Buckner.0.jpg)
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith of the Pittsburgh Steelers spent the week in the concussion protocol, and while Watt has been cleared to play, Highsmith remains questionable after doing limited work at Wednesday’s practice.
When both are healthy, the Steelers have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league. Watt and Highsmith have 20 sacks, 43 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two touchdowns between them. Despite a struggling offense, their production has kept Pittsburgh in the playoff hunt.
TROUBLE AT HOME
Over the last two seasons — and in this series — Indy hasn’t had much of a home-field advantage. The Colts are 2-9 in their last 11 games at Lucas Oil Stadium, going 2-4 this season with two one-possession losses.
Pittsburgh is undefeated at Lucas Oil Stadium. The most agonizing defeat for Indy came in the divisional round of the playoffs following the 2005 season, when the Steelers defeated the top-seeded Colts.
Shane Steichen, the team’s first-year coach, believes this time is different.
“I think our fans are going to be ready to roll,” he told reporters. “I believe our fans will turn out in force. “Our fans will be prepared.”
STAYING SIMPLE
After last week’s loss to New England, Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky took responsibility, saying he needed to play better to give the offense a chance to win.
Perhaps avoiding turnovers like his ill-advised pass into triple coverage, which was intercepted and led directly to a Patriots touchdown, will suffice. Pittsburgh is 4-1 when the ball is not turned over and 2-5 when it is. Part of the solution is to put Trubisky in a position to make quick decisions rather than hold onto the ball.
“How do we skinny down the game plan where he can play fast and get the ball out of his hands (and) get it to our playmakers?” said interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. “Our thoughts are always wrapped around better ways to do that.”
Indy will wear throwback uniforms inspired by the 1956 Baltimore Colts, who featured Pittsburgh native Johnny Unitas at quarterback.
The uniforms for Saturday will have three stripes around the shoulder panel and on the socks, one blue stripe on the pants, and two horseshoes on the lower back of the helmet. The font on the player numbers will be slightly different, and they will appear higher on the shoulder. The Colts’ cheerleaders will also be dressed in 1950s-style outfits.
Leave a Reply