Steelers vs. Colts: Keys, Predictions and More

Tonight, the battle for an AFC playoff spot gets heated as the Indianapolis Colts (battling for the AFC South title) and Pittsburgh Steelers (clinging to a Wild Card seed) fight for a primetime victory.

With plenty of intrigue building up, let’s waste no time.

Predictions, keys and room for you to make your picks below.

Steelers Keys to the Game

• Take shots with Ben Roethlisberger: It’s important that the Steelers don’t play this one in a conservative fashion. Roethlisberger has taken command by throwing the deep balls and testing the opposing defense early and often — most times, it’s advantage to Big Ben.
• On defense, counter with the opposite approach: Look, Matthew Hasselbeck isn’t going to single-handedly beat Pittsburgh tonight; his arm won’t lead the charge. All the Pittsburgh defense has to control is splash plays. They can afford to let Indianapolis dink and dunk their way down the field — it won’t trump what Roethlisberger and his bunch should do on the other side.

Colts Keys to the Game

• Keep a balanced approach on offense: Rob Chudzinski can’t control what Roethlisberger does, even if he has looked like Superman during his short time calling the plays. What he can do is keep his players under a commanded offense that doesn’t make mistakes. Indianapolis will score — forcing plays and getting behind the sticks early can’t happen. Playing it conservatively on first down will set up plenty of opportunities for his veteran quarterback later in the drive. If they can score more than three touchdowns, the onus falls on the defense.
• Pressure the quarterback: Pretty simple, right? Roethlisberger is still nursing his lower body, not to mention probably seeing ghosts after the hits he’s taken this season. Indianapolis’ job is simple: don’t give #7 time to hang around comfortably in the pocket.

Predictions

I made my picks for this week HERE.

Our Erik Lambert weighed in:

"The Steelers cannot afford to overlook Matt Hasselbeck. He may be 40-years old but he’s also undefeated this season and would love nothing better than to knock them out of the playoff picture after what happened 10 years ago in the Super Bowl. In the end I think Ben Roethlisberger and the offense do enough to escape with the win."

… as did our newest staff member, Eric Robinson:

"Big Ben went for over 400 last week against a Seattle secondary that has taken some lumps this season but still respected. Now he has the 27th ranked passing defense in Indy. Key unit is Pittsburgh defense. Allowing a shootout from Hasselbeck is not a way to capitalize getting torched by Russell Wilson and Seattle’s O."