Scouting the Steelers' opponent: Colts rank near bottom of NFL in yards allowed, giveaways

SCOUTING THE COLTS

Last meeting

Colts beat Steelers, 31-13, on Dec. 16, 2023 in Indianapolis

Key matchup

Bernhard Raimann vs. Nick Herbig

Herbig will be making his first NFL start because the Steelers’ starting right outside linebacker, Alex Highsmith, is out because of a groin injury. Herbig has five sacks in limited NFL regular-season action and has seven sacks in six career preseason games. The Colts’ left tackle, Raimann, is the eighth-highest graded pass-blocking tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus.

Key injuries

Steelers starting left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) has yet to play this season, and running back Jaylen Warren (knee) and reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) have been ruled out. The Colts are without starters at defensive end Kwity Paye (quadriceps) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip). Additionally, two starters on the offensive line — center Ryan Kelly (neck) and right tackle Braden Smith (knee) — did not practice Friday and are officially listed as questionable.

Series record

Steelers lead 33-10

Series notes

Before last year’s game, the Steelers had won five in a row in Indianapolis and had been 4-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium. … Last year’s meeting was the final game Mitch Trubisky started for the Steelers. Mason Rudolph came in late in relief and started the final four games (counting playoffs). … The teams have met five times in the postseason, and the Steelers have won each time. … With a 25-6 record against the Colts since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger, that accounts for the Steelers’ best winning percentage against any AFC franchise.

Notable

The Steelers lead the NFL in total defense at 229.7 yards per game; the Colts rank second last (398.3). … The Steelers are one of four NFL teams to have one or fewer turnovers through three weeks; the Colts are one of five teams to have six or more turnovers. … This is the second of three road games this season that the Steelers will play indoors. They won their opener 18-10 in Atlanta and will face the Raiders on Oct. 13 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. … Since Mike Tomlin became coach in 2007, the Steelers own the NFL’s best record in domes among teams that play their home games outdoors (17-9, .654 percentage).

Fantasy tip

The Colts do not have a player in the top 10 at his position in fantasy points this season, and this wouldn’t figure to be the week one breaks out. The Steelers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, second-fewest to running backs and seventh-fewest to wide receivers.