The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of a hard loss to the Cleveland Browns that dropped Pittsburgh to 2-2 on the year. It was the fourth consecutive year that the Steelers lost to the Browns in Cleveland, and that is what a lot of fans were worried about going into the game. The Steelers are still in the thick of things through four weeks as there is only one undefeated team in the AFC, and things are still relatively close in the AFC North. Not to mention the Cincinnati Bengals look like they have taken a step back after starting the year 2-0 and Lamar Jackson is dealing with an injury for the Baltimore Ravens.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy (left) speaks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) on the field before a preseason game in 2026.
The Steelers want to get back on track in Week 5 and stay above .500 on the season, which means the team is going to have to find a way to take down the Indianapolis Colts at home. This matchup happened last year and the Steelers won the game relatively easily, but it is fair to assume that the Colts might look better this time around. Jonathan Taylor will be a focus for Pittsburgh in the game as he has looked like one of the best running backs in the league through the first four games of the year.
Pittsburgh does have one advantage going into this game, and that is the schedule. The Colts had to play in London in Week 4, and the team got a convincing win over the Washington Commanders. However, they now have to travel all the way back to the United States and then go on the road again to Pittsburgh. Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning to discuss the scheduling quirk.
"They have to be complaining, going from Europe to over here now on the road again," Kaboly said. "Schedule-makers gave them one back here. That does stink. At least make it a home game."
Usually, it is the Steelers that have to deal with some tough scheduling from Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL. Kaboly noted that Pittsburgh fans were complaining about always having to play Thursday Night Football on the road, but the league is giving Pittsburgh one back here as the Colts are at a disadvantage when it comes to rest and travel.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.
Aside from the Colts having to go from Europe back to Indianapolis and then travel to Pittsburgh, there is also the factor that the Steelers had a mini-bye. That is what playing on Thursday Night Football is referred to in the NFL. Pittsburgh gets to have 10 days between games rather than the usual six or seven, which should help a roster that has a lot of key players that are older. The Steelers have no excuse to lose this game against the Colts, and both sides of the ball need to look good in the game as well. The time for all of the inconsistency is over.
Steelers Will Be Powering Through A Few Injuries
During the Week 4 loss to Cleveland, the Steelers lost a couple of starters on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Jamel Dean went down with an ankle injury, and it has been reported that it is an ankle sprain and he may miss some time. Derrick Harmon is also expected to be out for this game, which is going to help the Colts when it comes to running the ball with Taylor. The Steelers will have rest and the home crowd on their side, but that might not be enough against a team that is riding a two-game winning streak.
The Steelers will be playing in an international game of their own in just a few weeks as the team takes on the New Orleans Saints in Paris in Week 7. The Steelers do play the following week, but it is a home game.
What do you think about the Colts coming into Pittsburgh after playing last week in London? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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