Steelers Face Colts With Taylor Challenge in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 as both teams seek a winning record after opening the season 2-2. The Sunday matchup at Acrisure Stadium features Pittsburgh trying to contain running back Jonathan Taylor while Indianapolis attempts to overcome injuries and turnover issues.

According to the Post-Gazette, Taylor ranks fifth in the NFL with 353 rushing yards and third with six rushing touchdowns. The Colts offensive line, led by Quenton Nelson, has helped create opportunities for Taylor, while Pittsburgh's defensive front will be tested after Derrick Harmon was ruled out with a foot injury.

The Colts defense has allowed the 22nd-most points and ranks 31st in yards allowed through four games, according to the Post-Gazette. However, Indianapolis has won its last two games despite a turnover margin of minus-four over that span, an issue coach Shane Steichen highlighted before facing a Steelers defense with eight takeaways.

Steelers rookie defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio could receive increased opportunities after injuries depleted the interior defensive line. He said he is ready for the chance after making the 53-man roster during training camp.

"Absoluely, everybody dreams for the day you get elevated to go shine out," Rubio said, Steelers contributing writer Brian Batko reported.

The Steelers will also need to handle Indianapolis' interior pass rush, which includes DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore. Mason McCormick discussed the challenge of facing the Colts defensive tackles.

"They're both really, really good rushers. They both do a lot of different stuff," McCormick said, according to the Steelers.

Pittsburgh's offense will face a Colts defense that uses man coverage frequently but has struggled in that approach this season. The Steelers hope quarterback Aaron Rodgers can take advantage of matchups involving wide receiver DK Metcalf, who had 115 receiving yards against Cleveland in the previous game.

Weather is expected to be a major factor, with rain forecast around kickoff. Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor explained that wet conditions require extra attention to movement and footing.

"You always have to just take into consideration field conditions – things that you would normally do maybe," Taylor said, according to the Colts.

"Doesn't even matter if you wear certain studs or certain things like that. Sometimes it's all about body position. If your body is – your legs are too far out your frame, no matter what you have on, most likely you may slip.

So, being conscious of your body position to an extent. Obviously, if you have to go and make the play, you have to do whatever you can to make it work, but when you're conscious about some of those things, it kind of can eliminate some of those bad plays where you may slip, and now that leads to other things. So, it's just about being conscious of the environment," Taylor said, according to the Colts.

Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen said ball security will be a priority after recent wins despite turnover problems. The Colts will try to continue their momentum while Pittsburgh looks to rebound from a loss.

"The last two weeks haven't been what we wanted to be, and it's really an anomaly that we found a way to win the last two games losing the turnover battle," Steichen said, according to the Colts.

"So ball security has got to be at a premium against these guys," Steichen said.

The game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1:00 PM ET in Pittsburgh and will be broadcast on CBS, according to Yahoo Sports.