Steelers prepare for Colts in week #10

The Steelers look to send Peyton & Co.home with another loss

A couple days after the thrilling and important win over the Redskins it's time to look ahead to this weeks challenge. That would be the 4 and 4 Indianapolis Colts.

For years now we have become accustom to seeing the Colts fly around the field on both sides of the ball. Peyton Manning throwing the ball at will to All-Pro receivers and handing the ball to All-Pro running backs following blocks from All-Pro lineman. A team that raised it's defense to have a high speed assault at quarterbacks and who became stingy in the secondary. It hit a peak in 2006 when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI by beating the Chicago Bears 29-17.

Those days are gone. Yes they still have some All-Pros but they have fallen back into the pack overall. In fact the once touted offense is a humble #22 ranked offense at the half-way point of the NFL season. That said Peyton Manning can still play a little bit and Reggie Wayne is a big time target. WR Marvin Harrison has slowly turned pedestrian and RB Joseph Addai is not the explosive back he has been. To add insult to injury the O-line is not the stalwart force it once was either which effects their passing and rushing execution. And honestly the game being in Pittsburgh negates some of the raw speed of the Colts to some degree.

And with that portfolio of an offense you don't want to face the Pittsburgh Steelers defense but the schedule says that they have to. That would be the #1 defense in all the land that is. If Peyton Manning's knees weren't shaking still from off season surgery, they are now. His ears are already hearing the footsteps of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley and the in your face gang.

Quite frankly I see this as a mismatch made in heaven for the Steelers. So unless the Colts build a time machine I think the Steelers "D" will dominate the Colts offense. Say in the tune of 5 sacks on Manning and 53 yards rushing for the Colts.

And while the Colts defense is struggling even with the return of Bob Sanders I am not sure what the Steelers offense is going to bring to the table. They have the 25th ranked over all offense and still #20 rushing the ball. The Steelers have averaged 22.2 points per game and the Colts have given up 22.1 points per game(which stinks by NFL standards).

So this would be a nice week to smooth out some rough patches and put together a few drives instead of the one or sometimes two drives we have been getting from the boys of Steel. The Colts have been giving up an alarming 143 yards per game of rushing yards! Ouch! I would love to see Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore break out for about 220 yards between them. 132 yards on 22 carries for Fast Willie and 88 yards on 15 carries for Moore.

At QB we may have to ride the Byron Leftwich horse. Ben's status is uncertain as he rested Wednesday and reports were that Tomlin may not make the call until Friday or later. Ben has said he wants to go.

> For great Pittsburgh Steelers apparel & jerseys online look to Pro Football Fans and check out the 2008 NFL scores!

 

That said Byron has the ability to lead a team. And he had a nice second half to build off of from Monday Night in Washington D.C. With either arm at the helm I see opportunity to take a few shots down field. The Colts pass coverage however, has maintained a strong showing this year and are presently ranked at #3 in the NFL at passing defense. But I think that is because teams run the ball against them and do not test the secondary enough. However the Colts have held their own in some games you thought they would be in trouble. A few weeks back they destroyed a run happy Ravens, who also have a pretty good defense, 31-3. So it is always wise to be prepared to face a fighting and disciplined Tony Dungy coached team. They aren't going to roll over.

However I see this one going in Pittsburgh's favor. I hope it is because they assert themselves on offense and match the intensity of their defense down for down. I would like to see a nice mix of plays but of course I want to see Fast Willie be Free Willie. I just want to move forward and have nore confidence in the Steelers offense than I do now.

Injuries as of NOV 5 (Weds) From STEELERS OFFICIAL WEB SITE

STEELERS

Practice Report

Did Not Participate In Practice

Wednesday

S Tyrone Carter (ankle), RB Najeh Davenport (hamstring), DT Casey Hampton (toe), CB Bryant McFadden (forearm), TE Heath Miller (ankle), RB Willie Parker (shoulder), QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder), T Marvel Smith (back), CB Deshea Townsend (not injury related), WR Hines Ward (not injury related), LB LaMarr Woodley (calf)

Limited Participation in Practice

Wednesday

S Troy Polamalu (hand), RB Gary Russell (groin)

COLTS

Practice Report

Did Not Participate In Practice

Wednesday

DE Dwight Freeney (not injury related), WR Roy Hall (knee), CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring), CB Tim Jennings (not injury related), DE Robert Mathis (not injury related), TE Tom Santi (shoulder), WR Reggie Wayne (not injury related)

By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent