10 Thoughts: Steelers defense has an off game

Sep 29, 2024 at 06:00 PM

Dale Lolley

Contributing Writer/Editor

Was this a bad game for the Steelers defense, or did the Colts figure something out that the team's first three opponents could not?

That is the question that will be answered moving forward as the Steelers regroup following their first loss of the season, a 27-24 defeat here at the hands of the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Steelers entered this game leading the NFL in a bunch of defensive categories after three weeks. But in Sunday's game, they allowed more points (27) than they have given up in the first three weeks (26). They gave up more third-down conversions (8) on 15 attempts than they had allowed in their first 32 chances this season, when they allowed just seven conversions.

A big part of that was Indianapolis' ability to hurt the Steelers on the ground.

Running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Anthony Richardson combined to rush for 70 yards on 11 first quarter carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt, nearly double the 3.5 yards per carry the Steelers entered this game allowing.

That led to the Colts going ahead 17-0 early in the second quarter. And even though Richardson was knocked out of the game with a hip injury suffered on his final rushing attempt, the damage was done.

"We shouldn't have put our offense in that situation in the first place," said Steelers inside linebacker Patrick Queen. "The first two drives, 14 points, that's totally unacceptable. We've got to get better. Whatever it takes. They executed and we didn't."

The Steelers obviously prepared for the mobility of Richardson and the speed of Taylor to get to the outside. But to Queen's point, preparing for something and executing things so they don't happen are two different things.

The Steelers' run defense got better after Richardson was knocked out of the game after first taking a hit at the end of a run by safety DeShon Elliott and then for good on another shot from Minkah Fitzpatrick, but, again, the damage was done.

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The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Special teams during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (38) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The team huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Special teams during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Backup Joe Flacco came in and threw a short TD pass on third down – more on that later – to make it 14-0 after two possessions.

The run defense was better after that, as the Colts had just 15 yards in the second quarter and finished with 133 on 32 carries, but, resolutely, the damage was done.

"We didn't do great stopping the run early," said defensive tackle Cam Heyward. "In the second half, we were better, but 85 yards in a half is unacceptable."

And it comes down to playing defense the way it was coached. Quarterback runs do change some things, especially since the Steelers had to keep Fitzpatrick deep to guard against Richardson's deep passes, but Richardson had runs of nine and 14 yards on designed runs on the first two possessions that kept the chains moving.

Those kind of things aren't unique in today's NFL.

"We just weren't doing our assignments, playing team football, playing cohesive like we usually do," Elliott said. "You want to say they played good, but really, we beat ourselves. I don't care what anybody says, we beat ourselves. We're a better defense than that. We can't give up 27 points. Twenty-seven points in the NFL is not going to win you games. We had missed opportunities. We just didn't play like ourselves. We've got to go back to the drawing board and get it together."

• The third-down defense was especially troubling.

As mentioned, coming into this game, the Steelers had allowed just seven conversions on 32 attempts. In this game, they allowed eight conversions on 15 attempts.

Slot receiver Josh Downs had four third-down catches, converting a third-and-6 and two third-and-7s. He also caught a touchdown on third-and-4.

The Steelers also allowed a third-and-10 conversion to Michael Pittman Jr., and another third-down touchdown, this one a 15-yard catch on third-and-10 to backup tight end Drew Ogletree.

"Third-and-long is always an advantage for the defense, but we didn't take advantage of it," said Heyward.

How deflating is that?

"Very deflating," said Heyward. "As a defense, we pride ourselves in getting into those situations. But to not execute in those moments, unacceptable. You've got to think you've got an advantage, but we didn't."

• The Colts obviously had a good plan to run the ball against the Steelers' nickel defense, which includes just two defensive linemen on the field.

They played with pace early in the game to keep the Steelers in that package, running the ball against it.

The Steelers had an obvious advantage with nose tackle Keeanu Benton on the field working against rookie center Tanor Bortolini, a fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin who was making his first career start. So the Colts largely kept Benton on the sideline by sticking with a three wide receiver set.

The Steelers had prepared for the Colts to play with some quicker pace, but they still didn't execute against Indianapolis' running game in those spots.

"Coach (Mike) Tomlin does a great job of preparing us. We definitely were alert for the pace," said nickel linebacker Payton Wilson. "There were some communication things, some things we've got to get fixed when we get back."

• The Steelers weren't happy with a personal foul drawn by Fitzpatrick in the third quarter on a ball intended for rookie Adonai Mitchell.

The ball was overthrown by backup quarterback Joe Flacco by several yards and Fitzpatrick was coming from the middle of the field to make a play. He appeared to start to let up when the ball sailed past the receiver, who made a last ditch effort to try to get to the ball, taking him into the path of a closing Fitzpatrick.

The two collided and a penalty was called against Fitzpatrick. Instead of facing third-and-10 from their own 42, the Colts had first down at the Pittsburgh 43. They would score their final touchdown on that possession - the first touchdown allowed in the second half of a game by the Steelers this season.

Fitzpatrick tried to plead his case with the official that threw the flag. But it was to no avail.

"I thought we were playing football," said Fitzpatrick. "I don't know what we're playing at this point. It's a very different game than what I grew up playing and what I grew up loving. You can't hit anybody hard. You can't be violent. I don't know what to say anymore."

Elliott was still upset at the call after the game.

"That was legal. He did nothing malicious," Elliott said. "He didn't even lead with his head. He hit him with his shoulder. If anything, he let up."

• The Steelers scored a season-high 24 points on offense. And they left a bunch of points on the field.

They drove to the Indianapolis 36 on their first possession, only to have Spencer Anderson, subbing for right guard James Daniels, who had suffered an ankle injury early in the possession, draw a flag for a late hit by diving into a pile to try to help Cordarrelle Patterson gain an extra yard or two.

That pushed the Steelers out of field goal range.

In the second quarter, George Pickens, who would catch seven passes for 113 yards, made a catch at the Indianapolis 5. As he spun to try to gain additional yards, he lost the ball and safety Justin Blackmon recovered, turning the Steelers away again.

In the third quarter, Calvin Austin III had a 30-yard punt return against a Colts coverage unit that had allowed just four punt return yards this season coming into this game.

With the ball at the Indianapolis 33, Justin Fields took the snap and tried to run to the outside around two blitzing corners. He continued to run backward, then slipped to the ground. As he attempted to get up, corner Chris Lammons knocked the ball loose and recovered the ball.

The Steelers lost 20 yards on the sack, and more importantly, lost the ball.

That was at least nine points – if not more – the Steelers' offense cost itself in this game, especially with placekicker Chris Boswell, who nailed yet another 50-yard field goal in this game, making him 35 for 43 in his career from beyond 50 yards, including 28 of his last 33.

Add to that an interception dropped by Joey Porter Jr. in the end zone on Indianapolis' third possession, which resulted in a field goal, and that's at least a 12-point swing, if not more, in a game that ended 27-24.

"We dropped interception opportunities. We had a fumble on the ground defensively that we did not get on, and then we turned the ball over offensively – one time in the red zone," said Tomlin. "So, you can look no further than some of those instances, but obviously, there's more to comb over. We were just generally not as sharp as we needed to be in order to function with the level of fluidity that allows comfortable victory to take place."

The Steelers had been plus-4 in turnover margin coming into this game. But they lost two fumbles and turned the ball over on downs twice, as well.

They failed to force a turnover of their own.

That it was a three-point game is actually amazing.

• If there's a criticism of Fields' play thus far for the Steelers, it has to be his handling of snaps.

He nearly lost one early in this game while under center when he got stepped on and almost mishandled a handoff to Najee Harris. Later, with the Steelers down three points and less than two minutes remaining, he called for rookie center Zach Frazier to snap him the ball by lifting his leg, the signal to snap the ball,

But he then started scanning the defensive backfield again.

"It was my fault. We were supposed to go on the first leg kick and Zach was IDing stuff," Fields said. "I felt the DBs rotating and changing the back end picture, so when he was IDing stuff and telling the o-line where to go, I was trying to get that final picture of where the DBs were going. It was supposed to be the first leg kick, so after I give that first leg kick, I've got to be ready for the ball, no matter when it's going to come or not. It's on me."

That's been an issue for Fields and the Steelers dating back to the preseason.

Fields played well Sunday. He's thrown the ball well, including passing for 312 yards and a touchdown and running for two scores in this game. But the bobbled and mishandled snaps are an issue.

"I appreciate his fight, but he and we were a little bit sloppy at times, too sloppy to comfortably secure victory," said Tomlin.

• Cordarrelle Patterson gave the Steelers a shot in the arm in the second quarter during the drive before Pickens fumbled.

Patterson finished with six carries for 43 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt, before leaving with an ankle injury.

Fields also had 55 rushing yards on 10 carries, some on scrambles, some on designed quarterback runs.

Meanwhile, the Colts really shut the door on Najee Harris running the ball, limiting him to 19 yards on 13 carries, though he did add 54 yards on three receptions.

Harris had five yards on six first-half carries.

"They are going to come out there with certain defenses to stop the run and we know that," Harris said. "So, we just have to execute it. Some teams play different structures in stopping it – in certain schemes and stuff like that. So, we have to see that and take advantage of it. In the second half we kind of did better at it."

Opponents are going to load up to stop the run against the Steelers, especially early in games. They know the Steelers want to run the ball early and often.

Part of the slow starts for the offense – especially the past two weeks – can be attributed to that.

• A 4-0 start would have been nice, but look at things this way, the Steelers have already played three of their nine road games this season. That means they have seven home games and six road games remaining.

And at 3-1, they still lead the AFC North coming out of this weekend.

Breaking the season into quarters – not as easy as it used to be when there were 16 games – if you go 3-1 in every quarter, you'll finish with 12 wins.

And winning 12 games would certainly put the Steelers in the postseason – if not be enough to win the division title.

• Even after Sunday's game, the Steelers are allowing a 31.9 percent conversion rate on third downs to opponents.

The 21 percent conversion rate they entered this game with was unsustainable over the long haul. So there was some correction.

Some of that was because of Joe Flacco playing the final three quarters.

Richardson isn't the precision passer that Flacco happens to be, though he does present some different issues as a runner.

• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast

"You know that he's a better passer. He's experienced. His processing, it changes the game," said Elliott of Flacco. "Regardless, we're the Pittsburgh Steelers. We should be playing like it. We did not play like it today."

• We'll see next week against Dallas if this game was a blip on the radar or if some real issues have arisen.

Losing Alex Highsmith for this game, and then his backup Nick Herbig for part of the first half to an ankle injury, didn't help. But that's no excuse.

Daniels and Patterson both also left this game and did not return. But you know going into an NFL game that there's going to be some attrition.

Dallas presents some different issues than the Colts. Quarterback Dak Prescott can run the ball, but that's not what he wants to do. He wants to throw it all over the place.

This is a proud defensive group, one that trusts that it's good.

"We expect more out of ourselves," said Elliott. "We've just got to go out and execute. We just didn't play like the team I've seen us play like, whether it's training camp or in the games."

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