"Abysmal": Steelers Have Multiple Avenues To Attack The Colts In Week 5

The Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike McCarthy have an opportunity to take advantage of one of the NFL's most vulnerable defenses when they host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Despite entering the matchup at 2-2, Indianapolis has struggled to consistently stop opposing offenses, and its defensive issues have become difficult to ignore. 

The Colts rank 31st in the NFL in total defense, surrendering 423.8 yards per game through their first four contests. While they have won back-to-back games against the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders, their overall defensive performance remains a major concern heading into a matchup with Pittsburgh. The Steelers, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns and need to find a way to get their season back on track.

Indianapolis sports guru Jake Query joined The PM team w/Poni & Mueller recently and was particularly critical the Indianapolis defense. He questioned everything from its linebacker play to its expensive investment in cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.

“There are probably 17 high school linebackers in the state of Pennsylvania that could start for the Colts. Their defense is bad. Sauce Gardner they gave up two picks for; he's been abysmal. No pass rush, been looking for it forever,” Query said. "It is an incredibly blunt assessment, but the underlying concerns are difficult to dismiss. Indianapolis has struggled to generate consistent pressure, defend the run and prevent opposing offenses from moving the ball. 

One of the Colts biggest weaknesses entering Sunday's game is their inability to consistently shut down opposing running games. Through four weeks, the Colts have surrendered 131 rushing yards per game, ranking among the league's worst defenses in that category. They have also allowed 4.8 yards per carry, leaving plenty of room for opposing offenses to establish themselves on the ground.

That should immediately catch the Steelers' attention. Jaylen Warren is averaging 5.6 yards per carry (YPC) on the season and is currently in the top 10 of rushing yards. Pittsburgh needs to establish a more consistent offensive identity, and the Colts present an opportunity to do exactly that. Rather than putting the entire game on Aaron Rodgers' shoulders, the Steelers can look to get their running game involved early and force Indianapolis to commit additional resources to stopping it.

If Pittsburgh can consistently gain positive yardage on early downs, it will have more flexibility with its play-calling. The Steelers could use play-action to create opportunities downfield, attack the intermediate areas of the field and keep the Colts from simply pinning their ears back and rushing the quarterback.

The challenge for the Colts is that struggling to stop the run can create problems throughout the entire defense. When an offense consistently picks up yards on the ground, linebackers are forced to react more aggressively, potentially creating openings behind them in the passing game. That is where Pittsburgh can make the Colts pay.

Gardner is another major storyline heading into the matchup. Indianapolis made a significant investment to acquire the former New York Jets cornerback, surrendering two first-round picks in a deal designed to strengthen its secondary. So far in 2026, he has been struggling mightily with a passer rating of 146.3 allowed through Week 4 of the young NFL season.

Even an excellent cornerback can struggle when the quarterback has too much time to throw. If the defensive front cannot generate pressure, opposing receivers have more time to work themselves open, and coverage becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. For Pittsburgh, the goal should be to make Indianapolis defend every part of the field. Rodgers can use quick throws to get the ball out of his hands while looking for opportunities to attack downfield when the protection allows it.

Gardner remains a talented player capable of making difficult assignments challenging. The Steelers should not assume he will be an easy matchup. However, they can test the Colts' overall coverage by spreading the field and forcing other defenders to make plays.

Perhaps the most important part of Query's criticism concerns the Colts pass rush. For a defense, failing to pressure the quarterback creates a chain reaction. When opposing quarterbacks have time to go through their progressions, receivers have more opportunities to uncover, and the defense must maintain coverage for longer periods.

That can be especially problematic against a veteran quarterback like Rodgers, who has spent his career identifying defensive weaknesses and finding openings in coverage.

The Colts do have talent along their defensive front, including defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Latu recorded 8.5 sacks last season, demonstrating that he can make an impact as a pass rusher. The Colts are not without capable players, but they need more consistent production from the group as a whole.

Steelers Have An Opportunity To Capitalize In Week 5

The Colts' defensive problems give Pittsburgh a potential advantage, but the Steelers cannot afford to treat Sunday's game as an automatic win. The Colts have shown improvement in recent weeks, allowing 17 points against Houston before holding Washington to 13 points in their most recent outing. The defense also recorded three sacks against Houston, demonstrating that it can generate pressure when things are working.

For the Steelers, the path forward is clear. Establish the run, keep Rodgers protected, take advantage of opportunities in the passing game and force Indianapolis to prove it can consistently get off the field. Pittsburgh is coming off a frustrating loss to Cleveland, making this matchup an important opportunity to respond. A strong offensive performance against a struggling defense would go a long way toward easing concerns about the Steelers' consistency.

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