Don’t miss the game between the Colts and the Steelers, Sunday from 1 p.m., on RDS and RDS.ca.
Shane Steichen believes that teams that aspire to great honors share the same DNA.
What constitutes this particular type of DNA is no surprise, according to the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
Since the sport was invented, the key to success has been the need to create turnovers on defense, present a balanced offense that can score in a multitude of ways, and have a coaching staff that is able to make the necessary adjustments in the heat of the moment.
What’s different about the team led by Steichen is that they spent the first half of the season demonstrating that they have this DNA, in impressive quantities.
Only the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars caused more turnovers than the dozen generated by the Colts (7-1) during the first eight weeks of activities, heading into a duel against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3).
And no offense has amassed more yards or more points than the group led by Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who attributes the Colts’ astonishing success to the collaboration that has been developed among the team’s staff members.
The first two months were fun and exciting. Still, the Colts, who haven’t made the NFL playoffs in five years, are keeping both feet on the ground.
“We can’t be complacent, because we are aware, as I said before, that we have to focus on one week at a time in this league, and that we have to be ready,” noted Steichen. We are going to face an entire football club, on their pitch, in a hostile environment, so we will have to be ready. »
Technically, Steichen is right, Acrisure Stadium is not the most welcoming place. However, in recent times, fan hostility has been directed towards the home team, which has lost two games in a row and which seems to symbolically hold the title of leader of its section.
The NFL’s most expensive defense ranks last in the league against the air game, and 30th overall. She hasn’t created a turnover in a month, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 20 passes in a row last week en route to a 35-25 win by visiting Wisconsin.
Despite this, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is not flinching. He’s faced his fair share of problems in 18 seasons at the helm of the team, and for the most part, he’s managed to lead his charges to a .500 record and a berth in the NFL playoffs.
Are there things the Steelers will need to fix, and quickly, since they play four games in November against teams with records above .500, including three that are in playoff position? Absolutely. For Tomlin, however, this plan is abstract.
“We are resolving the problems in the stadium,” he said. The rest is just nonsense. »
On the other side of the field, the Steelers will have to keep an eye on running back Jonathan Taylor, one of the most threatening offensive players currently in the NFL.
He scored three more touchdowns last week – the third time in four games that he accomplished the feat, and the fourth time so far this season – after completing just 12 carries for 153 yards. Taylor leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns on the ground and two more through the air, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
“His vision of the game is unique,” Steichen said. And he plays physical; he breaks tackles, spins to outwit his coverrs and gain a few extra yards, and manages to keep his feet in play near the sidelines. It’s hard to explain, because it’s really impressive to watch. »
