The Pittsburgh Steelers will welcome the Indianapolis Colts to the Steel City on Sunday with both teams sitting at 2-2 on the 2026 season. The two squared off in 2025, with Pittsburgh coming out on top by a score of 27-20. Both franchises have shown plenty of flaws so far, paving the way for their .500 records, with neither being able to find some consistency to have a winning record to this point. With the defense struggling for head coach Shane Steichen, it gives one advantage to the home team on Sunday. However, a team insider in Indianapolis suggested another way Pittsburgh can win.
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Steelers' Mike McCarthy walks off of the field after beating the Atlanta Falcons in his first game as the coach in Pittsburgh.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy is seeing injuries pile up for his team ahead of the contest. However, the Colts have their own as wide receiver Alec Pierce is on Injured Reserve (IR) and not eligible to return until Week 7. This is one big advantage and one that will hinder the ability to move the football for quarterback Daniel Jones.
On Friday, Colts insider Alex Query joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to discuss things from the other side for the upcoming contest. During his appearance, he mentioned that he does not believe Jones is the same quarterback since playing in the Steel City last season. He also had a massive statement for the Steelers defense.
“I don’t think [Daniel Jones'] range of motion is where it needs to be,” Query said. “If you look at Daniel Jones when he was playing really good football, the Colts looked like they found a 20 dollar bill in their pocket, it was really against Pittsburgh a year ago where he really started to get exposed. I would be shocked if Pittsburgh doesn’t get two turnovers coming up on Sunday.”
Getting two turnovers would be huge, especially for a defense that dealt with poor tackling and allowed the Cleveland Browns to move the ball on it at will for most of the game in Week 4. However, it is not crazy to think that could be done by the defense in the matchup Sunday. In four games this season, Jones has thrown three touchdowns, while also tossing four interceptions in that time.
The offense for McCarthy's group has a big chance to take advantage of a Colts group that ranks 30th in the NFL in total defense. However, the defense really needs to regain the traction it had through the first two games of this season where the opponent scored just 16.5 points per game. Since then, it has allowed nearly 30 points in back-to-back matchups, something that is not sustainable given the inconsistency from their offense.
Steelers Need To Force Jones Into Mistakes
Running back Jonathan Taylor will be a huge factor in the game on Sunday, as he is one of the NFL's best at the position. Given the weather is also expected to be very sloppy in the Steel City, the running game may become a huge part in the offensive game plan for both teams in the contest.
Taylor has been as good as advertised, with six touchdowns on the ground this year while also being able to help out in the passing game for Indianapolis. Tight end Tyler Warren had a great rookie year, but has fallen off with just 130 yards and two touchdowns so far this year.
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Steelers' TJ Watt stares at Colts' Daniel Jones before snapping the ball during the 2025 season.
Edge rusher TJ Watt and company have a big chance to get after Jones early and often in Sunday's matchup. The one key for them, however, is to do their best to contain the explosive playmaker Taylor is and force Indianapolis into passing situations.
Given what Query mentioned about him truly not being the same since the matchup against the Steelers last season, that would be a big advantage for McCarthy's defensive unit. With his number one receiver out and sloppy conditions likely, getting after Jones can go a long way towards Pittsburgh getting the win on Sunday.
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