Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor came into Sunday’s game as the league’s leading rusher, recording 850 yards on 143 carries and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He had three scrimmage touchdowns in four of his eight games.
The Steelers knew that stopping Taylor was the key to the game, and they certainly accomplished that feat in Sunday’s 27-20 win over Indianapolis. The NFL MVP candidate was limited to 45 yards on 14 carries (3.2 average).
“We had a good plan going into it but at the end of the day, the plan don’t work unless we go out there and execute it,” Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said on the defense shutting down Taylor. “Going out their and be physical, getting off blocks and making plays. We did that. We went out there and got off blocks and made tackles. That’s where it started.
The Colts offense was on a historic pace going into Sunday’s game. They had the second-most points per drive (3.46) through Week 8 since 1978. They were in the same category as the 2007 New England Patriots, 2000 St. Louis Rams and 2018 Kansas City Chiefs.
“Just watching their film, we knew that if they get started with that run game, they’re a dangerous offense. They’re a really good offense, but we had to make sure that [Taylor] wasn’t running today,” Highsmith said.
Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt also said smashing the run was the No. 1 priority coming into Sunday’s game.
“It started with smashing the run, first and foremost,” Watt said. “Making them one-dimensional. Pinning your ears back and going. Playing fast and playing physical football, playing simplified football. It allows (us) to make more plays.”
The Steelers’ defense certainly had their way with Indianapolis, forcing five turnovers. With the Colts playing from behind for most of the game, the Steelers pass rushers were able to tee off on quarterback Daniel Jones. Watt had a strip sack and recovery. Highsmith also had a strip sack that was recovered by rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
Steelers second-year linebacker Payton Wilson had a tipped pass that resulted in an INT by rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer.
Overall, the Steelers had six takeaways when counting the muffed punt in the first quarter. The six takeaways by the Steelers are the most since they had seven against the Tennessee Titans in 2010.
In addition to the tipped pass on Sawyer’s INT, Wilson recorded a team high 13 tackles and an interception.
Fellow linebacker Patrick Queen said Wilson was drug tested after his banner day.
“He’s got a freaking drug test. I told him, that comes when you ballin,” Queen said.
The 24 points scored off turnovers are the most by the Steelers since Week 9 of 2007 against the Baltimore Ravens (28).
The defense was trending in the wrong direction, but they bounced back in a major way on Sunday against the league’s No. 1 offense.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was receiving a lot...
