INDIANAPOLIS – Colts head coach Shane Steichen believes he should have adjusted his game plan more substantially during Sunday’s 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, likely by calling a few more runs in the first half. Indianapolis utilized an 11-20 split between runs and passes in the opening 30 minutes against a Pittsburgh defense that entered the game conceding the most passing yards in the NFL.
However, Pittsburgh’s potent pass rush dominated the contest, sacking Colts quarterback Daniel Jones five times and forcing five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles.
“I could’ve been more balanced there, probably in the first half,” Steichen stated following the defeat. “We moved the ball really well on that first drive, and then I think we had some opportunities there to start the second quarter. We were driving pretty good, up 7-0, had a chance there. That’s when the sack-fumble happened.”
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, currently the NFL’s leading rusher, experienced a sluggish start, accumulating just 10 yards on his initial five carries and 23 yards on eight carries in the first half.
Despite this, Steichen indicated he believes the coaching staff could have made adjustments to the Indianapolis running game to better counter the Steelers’ defensive approach. “You always look back at those situations, and hey, shoot, maybe I could’ve called a run here, maybe I could’ve called a run there,” Steichen said. “Maybe a little more balanced there, in that first half, with what they were doing, and then we go from there.”
Pittsburgh’s defense specifically targeted the Colts’ running game by frequently overloading the middle of the field, limiting Taylor’s ability to gain significant ground. Nearly all of Taylor’s 45 yards gained on 14 carries were generated through his own individual efforts.
“I always look at the schematics, first and foremost, trying to put our guys in better positions,” Steichen added. “It starts with me.”
The Colts now face a challenging matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, a defense renowned for its effectiveness against the pass but vulnerable to the run. The Falcons are currently yielding just 158.1 yards per game through the air, the best mark in the NFL; however, they rank 23rd against the run, giving up 124.4 yards per game, and 20th in yards per carry, allowing 4.4. The Falcons have conceded more than 100 rushing yards in six of their seven games this season, although Atlanta has held its last two opponents to fewer than four yards per carry in losing efforts.
“As we look through this week, look at what Atlanta’s doing and how they’re playing different things, obviously (we want to) put our guys in the best position to go be successful,” Steichen said. “And be ready to adjust on the sideline when the time occurs.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.