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INDIANAPOLIS
PITTSBURGH |
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48
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Final
51 |
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| 271 | INDIANAPOLIS | -3 | -3 | | 272 | PITTSBURGH | 48.5 | 49 |
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| All Games | 5-2 | +2.5 | 6-1 | 5-2 | 30.9 | 16.7 | 451.4 | (6) | 1.9 | 19.4 | 8.1 | 311.1 | (5.8) | 1.7 | | Road Games | 2-1 | +1 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 33.7 | 21.3 | 464.3 | (6.4) | 1.3 | 25.3 | 12.7 | 345.7 | (6.2) | 1.7 | | Last 3 Games | 3-0 | +3 | 3-0 | 1-2 | 26.7 | 14.3 | 461.3 | (5.9) | 2.7 | 13.7 | 5.7 | 251.3 | (5) | 1.7 | | Grass Games | 2-1 | +1 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 33.7 | 21.3 | 464.3 | (6.4) | 1.3 | 25.3 | 12.7 | 345.7 | (6.2) | 1.7 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 30.9 | 16.7 | 26.7 | 36:56 | 32-122 | (3.9) | 29-44 | 65.7% | 330 | (7.5) | 75-451 | (6) | (14.6) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 22 | 10.3 | 22.1 | 32:03 | 28-112 | (4) | 24-39 | 62.1% | 261 | (6.6) | 67-372 | (5.6) | (16.9) | | Offense Road Games | 33.7 | 21.3 | 26.0 | 33:49 | 26-97 | (3.7) | 31-47 | 66.4% | 367 | (7.9) | 73-464 | (6.4) | (13.8) | | Defense (All Games) | 19.4 | 8.1 | 17.6 | 23:04 | 21-97 | (4.6) | 19-33 | 56.3% | 214 | (6.5) | 54-311 | (5.8) | (16) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.8 | 12 | 20 | 29:34 | 27-112 | (4.2) | 21-34 | 63.1% | 242 | (7.1) | 61-354 | (5.8) | (14.9) | | Defense Road Games | 25.3 | 12.7 | 20.0 | 26:11 | 25-114 | (4.5) | 18-30 | 61.1% | 231 | (7.7) | 55-346 | (6.2) | (13.6) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | -0.1 | 14-6 | 44.3% | 1-0 | 42.9% | 1-35 | (27.3) | 3-19 | (6.6) | 7-63 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 14-5 | 38.5% | 1-0 | 39.2% | 2-47 | (23.7) | 16-2 | (7.1) | 7-59 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 14-7 | 46.5% | 2-1 | 40.0% | 1-26 | (26.3) | 2-18 | (7.9) | 7-47 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.7 | | 11-3 | 26.0% | 1-0 | 20.0% | 1-25 | (25.4) | 2-8 | (4.3) | 6-52 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | | 13-5 | 38.5% | 1-0 | 41.1% | 2-46 | (25.5) | 19-2 | (9.1) | 7-55 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | | 11-4 | 37.5% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-9 | (26) | 1-1 | (1.3) | 5-50 |
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| All Games | 4-3 | -0.5 | 3-4 | 4-3 | 22.0 | 13.3 | 384.9 | (6) | 1.1 | 23.1 | 9.4 | 345.0 | (5.9) | 1.3 | | Home Games | 2-1 | -0.8 | 1-2 | 3-0 | 28.0 | 22.7 | 402.7 | (6.4) | 1.0 | 25.7 | 8.7 | 377.3 | (6.1) | 1.3 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +1 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 19.0 | 12.3 | 353.0 | (5.4) | 1.0 | 21.0 | 13.3 | 334.7 | (6) | 2.0 | | Grass Games | 4-2 | +0.5 | 3-3 | 4-2 | 24.7 | 15.0 | 398.8 | (6.1) | 0.8 | 22.7 | 9.3 | 348.7 | (6.1) | 1.5 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 22.0 | 13.3 | 21.7 | 32:23 | 27-129 | (4.7) | 24-36 | 66.3% | 256 | (7) | 64-385 | (6) | (17.5) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 24.5 | 13.3 | 22.2 | 32:47 | 29-128 | (4.5) | 24-37 | 65.1% | 261 | (7.1) | 65-389 | (6) | (15.9) | | Offense Home Games | 28.0 | 22.7 | 23.0 | 32:56 | 27-96 | (3.6) | 26-37 | 70.9% | 307 | (8.4) | 63-403 | (6.4) | (14.4) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.1 | 9.4 | 20.0 | 27:37 | 26-113 | (4.4) | 20-33 | 61.6% | 232 | (7.1) | 58-345 | (5.9) | (14.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22 | 9.3 | 20 | 29:48 | 27-113 | (4.1) | 20-34 | 60.5% | 230 | (6.9) | 61-343 | (5.6) | (15.6) | | Defense Home Games | 25.7 | 8.7 | 21.3 | 27:04 | 27-126 | (4.7) | 20-35 | 57.5% | 251 | (7.1) | 62-377 | (6.1) | (14.7) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 14-5 | 40.0% | 1-0 | 60.0% | 2-30 | (16.2) | 2-18 | (7.5) | 9-74 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 14-6 | 42.9% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 2-37 | (23.1) | 21-2 | (9.6) | 7-57 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13-5 | 37.5% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 2-33 | (14.1) | 2-22 | (13.4) | 10-86 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | | 12-4 | 34.9% | 1-1 | 83.3% | 2-43 | (18.8) | 2-15 | (9) | 6-51 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | | 13-5 | 37.5% | 1-0 | 41.9% | 2-49 | (23.2) | 14-2 | (7.2) | 6-54 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | | 12-4 | 36.1% | 1-1 | 66.7% | 3-63 | (18.9) | 1-10 | (7.5) | 7-42 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: INDIANAPOLIS 20.4, PITTSBURGH 16.3 |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ DENVER | 24-31 | L | 8 | W | 53.5 | O | 14-54 | 35-53-354 | 2 | 32-102 | 22-36-259 | 0 | | 9/15/2014 | PHILADELPHIA | 27-30 | L | -3 | L | 53.5 | O | 38-169 | 20-34-172 | 2 | 28-127 | 21-37-331 | 1 | | 9/21/2014 | @ JACKSONVILLE | 44-17 | W | -5.5 | W | 45.5 | O | 29-144 | 33-43-385 | 0 | 20-105 | 18-31-239 | 3 | | 9/28/2014 | TENNESSEE | 41-17 | W | -7 | W | 46 | O | 41-105 | 29-41-393 | 1 | 16-85 | 14-28-176 | 3 | | 10/5/2014 | BALTIMORE | 20-13 | W | -2.5 | W | 49 | U | 30-117 | 32-49-305 | 4 | 15-90 | 22-38-197 | 3 | | 10/9/2014 | @ HOUSTON | 33-28 | W | -2.5 | W | 45.5 | O | 35-93 | 25-44-363 | 2 | 24-136 | 15-23-196 | 2 | | 10/19/2014 | CINCINNATI | 27-0 | W | -3 | W | 50.5 | U | 34-171 | 27-42-335 | 2 | 12-32 | 18-38-103 | 0 | | 10/26/2014 | @ PITTSBURGH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/3/2014 | @ NY GIANTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/23/2014 | JACKSONVILLE | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | CLEVELAND | 30-27 | W | -5.5 | L | 41.5 | O | 28-127 | 24-35-363 | 1 | 30-183 | 19-31-206 | 0 | | 9/11/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | 6-26 | L | 2.5 | L | 44 | U | 18-99 | 22-37-202 | 3 | 36-157 | 21-29-166 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | @ CAROLINA | 37-19 | W | 3 | W | 43 | O | 34-264 | 22-30-190 | 0 | 10-42 | 29-41-307 | 2 | | 9/28/2014 | TAMPA BAY | 24-27 | L | -7 | L | 44.5 | O | 27-85 | 30-41-305 | 1 | 20-63 | 21-43-287 | 1 | | 10/5/2014 | @ JACKSONVILLE | 17-9 | W | -6 | W | 46.5 | U | 28-111 | 26-36-261 | 1 | 15-56 | 22-36-187 | 2 | | 10/12/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 10-31 | L | 2.5 | L | 46.5 | U | 32-138 | 21-42-221 | 1 | 38-158 | 8-17-210 | 1 | | 10/20/2014 | HOUSTON | 30-23 | W | -3 | W | 44 | O | 25-76 | 24-34-252 | 1 | 30-132 | 21-32-261 | 3 | | 10/26/2014 | INDIANAPOLIS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/2/2014 | BALTIMORE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/9/2014 | @ NY JETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/17/2014 | @ TENNESSEE | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | INDIANAPOLIS: Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's ground-and-pound power running game never got going last year, due in part to an offensive line in flux but mostly due to the atrociousness of Trent Richardson. It's a gap-blocking scheme that suits Richardson's skill set, and the third-year back may just need more time in the offense. The Colts get more run-heavy as they approach the goal line, and they had little success inside the opponent's 10 last year. Richardson will likely have a monster workload, especially from in close. Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard are both coming off major injuries as they battle for the No. 2 job. Bradshaw's receiving skills could give him an edge.
Hamilton and Andrew Luck are still finding their way in this offense, as they face a lot of third-and-longs early in games and often end up doing most throwing in comeback efforts. They'll move Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and tight end Dwayne Allen around in formations to create mismatches, especially with Allen spending time in the backfield and flexed out. Coming off an up-and-down year as the primary TE, Coby Fleener will likely go back to stretching the seam now that Allen is healthy. Hakeem Nicks will stretch the field on the perimeter while Donte Moncrief serves as his understudy. Fleener was targeted most often when they threw in the red zone last season, but it could be Allen that receives those targets in 2014. Nicks could be in for a big red-zone role this season.
The Colts made great strides last year, and could again finish among the top-10 scoring defenses due to having the NFL's easiest schedule. It also helps to have outside linebacker Robert Mathis who led the NFL with 19.5 sacks. New DL Arthur Jones and LB D'Qwell Jackson will help, but losing safety Antoine Bethea hurts. | | PITTSBURGH: The Steelers tried to implement a zone-blocking scheme last season under offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., but they never completely implemented it after center Maurkice Pouncey's season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Ex-Titans head coach Mike Munchak was brought in to finish the job. Le'Veon Bell will be a three-down workhorse in the one-cut system, one that will likely utilize a lot of inside zone plays. LeGarrette Blount will fit the system as a one-cut power runner, though he won't be an option to relieve Bell on passing downs. Rookie Dri Archer will get some grabs on passing downs.
Through his first two seasons with the Steelers, offensive coordinator Todd Haley has emphasized the importance of getting the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger's hands quickly in order to limit the hits he absorbs. They utilize relatively shorter timing routes to set up catch-and-run situations. Antonio Brown is used as a moving chess piece and will continue to be heavily featured. Markus Wheaton gives them a field stretching presence, while tight end Heath Miller and veteran slot man Lance Moore'they use three receivers often'will be traditional possession receivers. Haley continues to go to the air inside the 10 often, though Pittsburgh lost its top two red-zone threats (Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders). Look for Miller to see an expanded red-zone role, with Darrius Heyward-Bey possibly working his way into the mix.
The Steelers defense took a step back in 2013, placing tied for 27th in turnovers and tied for 25th in sacks. They helped themselves in the draft with OLB Ryan Shazier and DE Stephon Tuitt, and also signed FS Mike Mitchell, but Dick LeBeau's unit is still lacking playmakers and run-stoppers to return to their Steel Curtain glory days. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (INDIANAPOLIS-PITTSBURGH) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(UPDATES with Colts WR Wayne ruled out)
*Colts-Steelers Preview* ========================
By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer
The Indianapolis Colts are looking like one of the most complete teams in the NFL with a defense that has played almost as well as their high-powered offense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to put an end to their inconsistency and build some momentum after an impressive performance.
Indianapolis looks to extend its longest winning streak in nearly five years when it visits Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Colts (5-2) are the first team this season to record two games of 500-plus yards, racking up 506 in Sunday's 27-0 victory over Cincinnati. Their five-game win streak is their longest since winning an NFL-record 23 straight in the regular season Nov. 2, 2008-Dec. 17, 2009.
Andrew Luck was 27 of 42 for 344 yards and two touchdowns to lead the league's top offense against the Bengals. Luck's 2,331 passing yards are the most in the NFL and his 19 TDs have him tied with Peyton Manning for the most.
Luck has also thrown for 300-plus yards in five consecutive games, tying Manning for the longest streak in club history.
Indianapolis' ground game provided some balance with a season-best 171 yards last week. The Colts have rushed for 134.8 yards per game since Week 2 - fifth best in the league.
The defense was perhaps even more impressive in the club's first shutout since 2008, however.
"You don't feel like you have to do too much when you're playing with a defense like that," Luck said. "They do and have done a heck of a job all year."
The Colts have surrendered 17 or fewer points four times in five games, allowing a league-low 271.8 yards per contest in that span. Indianapolis, which gave up 357.1 yards last season to rank 20th, limited Cincinnati to 135 yards - the lowest total in the NFL in 2014.
The Colts have 20 sacks during their winning streak and are limiting opponents to a league-best 26.0 percent on third-down conversions for the season. They're the only team to rank among the top five in total offense and defense.
"The whole defense is feeding off of each other right now," coach Chuck Pagano said. "The energy that they're playing with, the effort that they're playing with right now. Anytime you have success like they're having, the confidence level is at an all-time high."
The Steelers (4-3) are also feeling good about themselves following a 30-23 win over Houston last week that was spurred by an explosive second quarter. Pittsburgh trailed 13-0 midway through the period before three touchdowns and a field goal in a 2:54 span put it ahead 24-13 at halftime.
Ben Roethlisberger went 23 of 33 for 265 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while Le'Veon Bell had 145 yards of offense for Pittsburgh, which bounced back from a 31-10 rout at Cleveland the previous week.
The Steelers have alternated wins and losses all season and are seeking some stability as they continues a three-game homestand.
"We don't want to be satisfied with the way we played," said Bell, who ranks second in the league with 134.0 yards per game from scrimmage. "It was good but there are definitely things we can do better."
The Steelers forced turnovers on back-to-back plays in the second quarter Sunday and recovered another fumble in the fourth. It was an uncharacteristic showing for a team that came in near the bottom of the league with six takeaways.
Pittsburgh's 64 takeaways since the start of 2011 are the fewest in the NFL in that span.
"It's not anything mystical," coach Mike Tomlin said. "I think when we are doing what it is that we are supposed to do and playing with energy, it happens."
Pittsburgh could be poised to expose one of the Colts' few vulnerabilities, as Indianapolis' 13 turnovers are tied for fourth most in the league.
These clubs boast the No. 1 and No. 3 receivers in the NFL, with the Steelers' Antonio Brown piling up 719 receiving yards and the Colts' T.Y. Hilton at 711.
Hilton is fifth in the NFL with 68 targets, and Luck may have to look his way even more often with Reggie Wayne ruled out after suffering a left elbow injury against Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh won the last meeting 23-20 at Indianapolis on Sept. 25, 2011. Roethlisberger was 25 of 37 for 364 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/24/2024 12:39:59 AM EST. |
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