Despite having a lot of talent, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been one of the NFL’s worst through the first eight weeks of the season. It’s ranked 30th in the league, and it might only go lower after Sunday. The Steelers play the Indianapolis Colts, who have the league’s No. 1 offense. While the Steelers’ defense could bounce back, former NFL defensive lineman Chris Canty doesn’t believe that’s possible.
“No, they can’t,” Canty said Friday on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike. “Indianapolis’ offense is historically good. I’ll take the Colts and lay the points because there is going to be no shortage of points for them going up against that Pittsburgh defense that’s old and expensive.
“The Indianapolis Colts have scored on 62 percent of their drives. It’s the highest rate of any team through the first eight games of the season in the last 45 years. I just don’t see a world that exists where the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, based on what we’ve seen the last two weeks when they’ve given up 68 points, being able to stop the Indianapolis Colts.”
In the NFL, nothing is guaranteed. However, the Steelers’ defense indeed faces a stern test Sunday. Canty is correct that the Colts’ offense isn’t just good. It’s great. It’s first in the league in total yards, yards per game, total points, and points per game.
Also, the things the Colts’ offense does well lines up with the Steelers’ defensive weaknesses. Indianapolis runs the ball well with Jonathan Taylor, the best running back in the league. He’s leading the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. While the Steelers did a good job stopping the run last week, their run defense as a whole hasn’t been great this year.
The Colts don’t lack a passing attack, either. Quarterback Daniel Jones has experienced a career resurgence in Indianapolis. He’s fourth in the league in passing yards with 2,062, and he has 13 passing touchdowns to only three interceptions. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie tight end Tyler Warren are dangerous weapons as well.
Therefore, Canty might be correct that the Steelers’ defense has no chance against the Colts’ offense. However, anything is possible. At times, the Steelers’ defense has played up to its potential. After getting embarrassed by the Packers, perhaps that unit will be at its best this week. It won’t be easy, but the Steelers have the tools defensively. They just need to play as well as they look on paper.
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