Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Reveals Secret That Fueled Pittsburgh's Win Over Colts In Week 9

The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL world in Week 9 when they upset the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. They entered this contest as three-point home underdogs and were coming off back-to-back losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Not many expected Pittsburgh to have success against the red-hot Colts, but their defense forced six turnovers, paving the way for a stunning victory.

After the win, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed that veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey had spoken with the team. Rodgers noted that Ramsey’s words helped inspire confidence among the Steelers’ defenders, highlighting the impact of leadership and motivation even from a visiting veteran. This insight gave fans a glimpse into what might have fueled the team’s defensive dominance on Sunday.

On Wednesday, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. spoke with members of the Pittsburgh media about the speech and its effect on the team. While he didn’t reveal every detail, Porter emphasized that Ramsey’s message resonated with the players and helped galvanize the defense. The young cornerback credited that moment of inspiration as a key factor in helping Pittsburgh secure the upset over Indianapolis.

"It was just about bringing that swagger back," Porter told the media on Wednesday via a clip from 93.7 The Fan. "That Steel Curtain defense, that intensity and that arrogance that we need to walk around with."

The Steelers shocked the football world when they traded to land Ramsey. He has been an exciting player and a tone-setter for the Steelers’ defense. 

From what Porter said, it sounds like Ramsey’s leadership played a major factor in the Steelers’ defensive success on Sunday.

"He was just like, 'I am gonna bring that tomorrow and I need you all to bring that too,'" Porter said. "Once he set the tone like that, there was no other excuse but to go out and play like that. I feel like everybody felt that on defense."

The defense may not have been perfect against Daniel Jones and the Colts’ offense. However, they clearly came in with a game plan to slow down Colts superstar running back Jonathan Taylor, and they kept him in check. 

Sure, they gave up some big plays to wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, but forcing six turnovers provided a major momentum boost for the defense. It also gave the team a confidence lift and marked a step in the right direction. The Steelers also did a great job adjusting from the previous week, preventing tight end Tyler Warren from doing what Tucker Kraft was able to do in Week 8.

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The win over the Colts gives the Steelers a much-needed boost as they look to turn their season around. After consecutive losses, this victory showed that the team can respond to adversity and execute a game plan effectively. The defense, in particular, demonstrated resilience and discipline, proving that they can rise to the occasion against a high-powered offense.

While there are still areas to improve, such as limiting big plays and tightening up in coverage, the momentum from this game should carry over into future matchups. With leaders like Ramsey setting the tone and young players like Porter stepping up, the Steelers are building confidence and cohesion on both sides of the ball, which is an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.

What are your expectations for the 2025 season following the Steelers' upset win over the Colts in Week 9? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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