Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - ROLLING: Will Shane Steichen's Indianapolis Colts Keep Up Winning Ways vs. Pittsburgh Steelers?

Episode Date: October 31, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Will Shane Steichen keep up his winning ways against Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' defense? Become a Locked On Colts i...nsider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake's written work on roundtable.io/sports/nfl/colts/ and Zach's on si.com/nfl/colts/, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, and @LockedOnColts! This episode is brought to you by Mazda. Like our players, we sweat every detail. Because when you make every move count, pulling off the unexpected is only the beginning. Stay tuned later for highlights in this week's "Moving the Game Forward.” Mazda. Move and Be Moved. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PelotonLet yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLRugietReady to level up your confidence? Head to https://rugiet.comand use promo code LOCKEDONNFLfor 15% off your first order.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars, and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts might be getting some defensive reinforcements here against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you all for making Locked On Colts your first listen today and everyday part of the Locked On podcast. Network, your team every single day. This episode is brought to you by Mazda. Like our players, we sweat every single detail
Starting point is 00:00:35 because when you make every move count, pulling off the unexpected is only the beginning. Stay tuned later for highlights this week in moving the game forward. Mazda, move, and be moved. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hickshaw, resident film nerd of horse shoe huddle.com. And my partner, Jake Arthur, is the credentialed
Starting point is 00:00:52 tennis shoes on the ground for Round Table. I'm giving you tennis shoes, because I think that's the only thing you wear. Maybe sandals on the ground, right? Jake, that's, we can go with that a little bit? I wear slides around the house. Okay. On errands, I would say. Okay, so we're going to table this talk about Jake's shoewear for another time.
Starting point is 00:01:11 But we have our typical Friday episode for you guys. We're going to talk all about the Colts offense, the Colts defense, and then dive into our final predictions for this Colts and Steelers matchup. But before we get into the Colts offense, we have some injury news and notes. The Colts only ruled out two players, Samson Eviecom, and Anthony. Gould will not be making the trip to Pittsburgh or not playing in this game in Pittsburgh. For Ebukom, this is the second game miss for Anthony Gould. His first game out with that knee injury, we'll see what the return game looks like with Gould
Starting point is 00:01:42 out. But some promising notes is everyone else that was on the injury report is either questionable or cleared to go. Jalen Jones is still questionable. We'll see if he gets activated prior to that game, but that could be a big boosted outside corner. Tyquan Lewis is questionable, but after a good week of practice, he seems like he should be good to go. And Grover Stewart's the big question mark right now because Grover Stewart is the
Starting point is 00:02:04 massive player on the interior. If I had to put my money where my mouth is here, I'd say, look, it's Grover Stewart. He plays through a lot out there. I'm assuming he's going to be good to go, but we'll keep an eye on those guys there. But Jake, I mean, if you told me going to the week, especially on that Wednesday injury report that just have you calm and Gould were going to be out, I'd feel pretty comfortable with that going into this game. Yeah, I'll take it because, I mean, you like Anthony Golden, the return game, but Ashton Doolin has been really good there. Tyler Goodson has always been pretty solid there. Josh Downs, as a punt returner, a very safe punt returner, may not give you much in the return game,
Starting point is 00:02:41 but he's going to field it securely, knock on all the wood around me. But you're fine with that. And then Samson, Evacom, who's already out last week, if it means you get Taekwon Lewis may be back, that's promising. So you're not totally short-handed. J-T-2-M-A-Low. you know he showed some things uh maybe we see your guy tano capacignon however you said it in your very french accent the other day or uh darrell and chami so like they they've got some
Starting point is 00:03:11 guys that can plug in there maybe not necessarily to that level uh but they've got some guys there and uh jalen jones if if i'm just again speculating and following the trend here so last week he was a limited participant all week this week full participant spent all week. That seems pretty good to go to me. I was watching him specifically out there today. I thought he was moving around really well. It looked normal. And I don't think they're going to force a guy in early before he's ready, but they could really use his size and ability to match up with D.K. Metcalfe a little bit because, I mean, Mackay Blackman is, he's just undersized and that's not going to be a great matchup, especially over the middle, just doing the slants and the
Starting point is 00:03:57 stuff they like to run with D.K. Metcalf, you at least want a guy who could be right there and can at least wrap him up and tackle him. Yeah. So Jones probably fits the bill a little bit there if he's able to go. And then Grover, the fact he was able to practice today fully after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday makes me feel like they're probably planning on him playing. That would be my guess. But we'll see. I mean, if you're taking Shane at his word, he said, we'll see how the next 48 hours go. But Grover, like you mentioned, is a guy who plays to just about anything that you can. Yeah, and we'll certainly see there with some of these questionable guys, though,
Starting point is 00:04:33 but I'm really curious to see what the practice squad call-ups look like, because if, say, all three of those guys go, we've had a pretty consistent group of guys being called up. And Cameron Mitchell, I think he only has one more call-up before he has to be on the active roster because he's been called up the last couple weeks. Dorel and Chami got the call-up last week. We'll see if they even call up anybody if all three of these guys are able to go. Maybe you get a Tenoca Passignan-on up there,
Starting point is 00:04:56 or you go get Coleman Owen up to return punts. So just Josh Downs doesn't have to do that. But we'll see what they end up doing with that. On the Pittsburgh Steelers side, again, they also had a huge injury report that got whittled down quite a bit these last few days. Wide receiver, Scottie Miller is out. Cornerback, Corey Trice, is out for the 100th time in his career.
Starting point is 00:05:16 And safety, Gibral Peppers. He actually showed up on the injured report a little bit late this week, and he is out as well. So they're down multiple safeties. They put a couple guys on IR today as well, including starting safety to Sean Elliott. So Deshaun Elliott's out. Gibral Pepper's out.
Starting point is 00:05:31 Chuck Clark is questionable. Kyle Dugger was on it for a little bit this week, even though he was just acquired. So they're not the healthiest team coming into it, but they're healthier than what was expected. Isaac Suamalo is going to play. Pat Farramuth, who he didn't think was going to play, is going to play for them.
Starting point is 00:05:46 So Zach Frazier. Zach Frazier, that's a big one. So it looks like both these teams are coming into this game as relatively healthy as you can be in week eight. or week nine in the NFL season. But getting to this Colts offense, Jake, you know what? You can, I always, it's so weird because I'm so used to being the pessimist in a lot of ways on this show over the last couple years.
Starting point is 00:06:07 I mean, we've been doing this since 2022. So you guys understand where our pessimism comes from in a lot of ways from that 2022 season. And I always feel like I have to check myself when I say stuff like this, but I get the same vibe with this game as I got to like the Chargers game in terms of the Colts offense going into that one where, yes, it's a road game. Yes, there is always the potential for turnovers and pre-snap penalties on the road. But if I'm just looking at this matchup schematically, I don't really know what the Steelers
Starting point is 00:06:39 defense can do to slow down this Colts offense. I think the most important aspect is just containing those edge rushers. The Steelers have three really good edge rushers, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nate Herbig. Very, very good players on the outside who have been playing some good football this year. but as long as the Colts lean into their heavy personnel packages, have six or seven guys blocking in tight, maybe you do some leakouts with Taylor and Warren and Moe Alley Cox, get them in space.
Starting point is 00:07:06 I don't really see a way that the Steelers defense is going to slow them down. The Colts are a pass-first team that uses the pass early to set up the run. Steelers are going to come out just getting ready for the run and they're very static cover three defense. And the Colts are going to throw all over them to start the game. and then I think they're going to run it out there in the second half. So I'm not too concerned with this Colts' offensive performance this week. Again, the only thing that can really hurt them is pre-snap penalties,
Starting point is 00:07:32 which in a road environment that can certainly happen. But heck, last week we saw what happened in that road environment that they got overrun by Packers fans. Packers fans traveled really well in that game. And I was hearing GoPack Go Cheers in that primetime game against Steelers. So, yeah, I just, I don't really know what the path is for the Steelers. defense against like they just they're so static they're so just gus bradley is in the way that they run their defense and that's kind of what doomed the the chargers against the colts and i see a lot of the similarities here uh going into this matchup yeah super super similar both in the the strengths
Starting point is 00:08:10 and weaknesses for them like you know you got a circle t j watt you know Cameron heyward you got mate her big like they've got some guys out there but they don't move t j watt off of the offense is right side ever yeah and braden smith has always played him well so you know what you're going to do you're going to rely on braden smith a little bit and you're occasionally going to park an extra tied in over there problem solved because you know what they're not going to move them around they never ever do um they miss a lot of tackles or like take poor angles like some of the things their defense does is weird i was watching that packers game earlier today and like uh Tucker craft that really long pass he had were Deshawn Elliott just like brain glitched and stood right there.
Starting point is 00:08:53 I was like, how does that even happen? And Elliot's been very good for them to one of their better tacklers before he got hurt in that game. Yeah, they just play really kind of undisciplined ball. And that's exactly what one of the biggest issues was the charters was, was mistackles and poor angles and things like that. And I had mentioned the Tucker craft of it all, you know, like 140 yards last week, a couple touchdowns.
Starting point is 00:09:15 Guess what? Tyler Warren, one of his most redeeming qualities of the tight end is yards after catch, and Tucker Kraft killed that last week. So for the guys on the Colts like Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren, Josh Downs, that can pick up yards after they catch, this could be a big opportunity for them. And then as far as like what the Packers did in the run game, I thought they did a lot of really good things to like get Josh Jacobs out with as much room to get. Like they just did some unique things.
Starting point is 00:09:43 It wasn't just a classic run game. Like, they did a lot of the kind of, I struggle to kind of describe it, but a lot of the unique things that Colts do to get Jonathan Taylor out in open space in the run game. I noticed them doing that with Josh Jacobs last week. And I was like, well, we obviously know that works with Jonathan. So I saw this Pittsburgh defense as a real opportunity for the Colts to keep it rolling. Yeah, and real quick, the reason why we've seen this Colts run offense go from outstanding to start the year to all of a sudden like all time great this past month is they were killing
Starting point is 00:10:19 teams so much with these like bootleg pass plays that defenses and linebackers are now sitting at home waiting for them especially because the Colts are putting like potential bootleg plays on top of runs so you're seeing like Michael Pittman Jr. leak out the backside on a traditional run so the linebacker on that backside instead of filling the agap is flowing with Michael Pittman Jr. and it's leading to these big runs at the middle where the Steelers very vulnerable right now. Patrick Queen has not had a great season at linebacker. And I think that's where the Colts are going to go after quite a bit. And then one quick point I want to hit before we move to our next segment. Jokes asked here in our comment section, will they change that going
Starting point is 00:10:57 forward, like moving T.J. Watt and maybe doing some other things because their defense is ranked so poorly. I want to ask you this, did Gus Bradley ever get away from his cover three? Matt Eberflus ever get away from his Tampa, too. Does Terrell Austin and Mike Tomlin ever get away from their static defenses no they don't it's just how they live and die it works very well against bad offenses but good offenses can take advantage and they rely a lot on their talent to overcome a lot of that stuff and you see that Shane Steichen just takes advantage of that every time he plays them so to my understanding Shane Steichen has never viewed tj watt as as scary as a player as like a max crosbie or miles garrett because garrett and crosbie move around so much so much more attention
Starting point is 00:11:40 And T.J. Watt, you kind of know what you're getting. He's going to be just speed rushing off that right side, and you can always account for him. So, yeah, I just, the Steelers defense has been great for a long time. They've always been a very competitive defense, but Shane Stuyken just knows what buttons to push against them. He always has. Yeah, without question. All right, guys, so coming up here in a moment, we're going to talk about the flip side of this thing and how the Colts defense matches up against Aaron Rogers in that quick strike offense.
Starting point is 00:12:10 This episode is brought to you by Mazda's Moving the Game Forward. For those who believe it's not just about playing the game, it's about redefining it. There are moments that do more than put points on the board. They move crowds, move culture, and keep moving the game forward. And this week's moment that moved the game forward from the Colts most previous win is none other than the 80-yard touchdown by Jonathan Taylor that busted this game wide open. Zach, take it away. How did that really change the culture?
Starting point is 00:12:40 of this game. Yeah, I mean, look, the Colts were not having their best showing in the first half against the Tennessee Titans, only a 10-point lead against the worst team in football. And the Titans were driving out of the half to maybe cut that to a one-score lead. But what happened right when the Titans cowardly punched the ball back to the Colts? Jonathan Taylor changed the entire game script by running 80 yards for a touchdown that put him up by three scores early in the third quarter. And from there, the game was on ice. So yeah, Jonathan Taylor, I don't even think this is a question what moved the game for the most this past week was. No, that one was a cakewalk.
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Starting point is 00:14:13 All right, welcome back every dayers. We are breaking down this Colts and Steelers matchup. Coming up at Sunday, 1 p.m. at Acresure Stadium. I'm still going to probably call it Heinz Stadium or Heinz Field, whatever the heck it used to be called. So, all right, defensively, I, again, I struggle to really break this. healer's offense down because I want to give them more credit, you know, than what they've really shown. So Aaron Rogers getting rid of the ball really, really quickly, you know, right there
Starting point is 00:14:46 among the tops of the league. He's obviously got D.K. Matcalf is the most, like, devastating weapon they've got out there. But, you know, Roman Wilson has come on a little bit lately. Calvin Austin has been a guy that Rogers can find. And then just a bevy of tight ends. Darno, Washington is like kind of a glorified bigger tackle. But Friermouth has made a a miraculous recovery from that, I think, quad issue from last week. And then you've got Jonu Smith, who has been a thorn in the Coltside for a while now as well. So there's some things they can do in the passing game. And then Jalen Warren isn't too bad either, but the Colts have been able to kind of quell any other team being able to stick with the run game throughout the game.
Starting point is 00:15:28 Yeah, but I will say this about Arthur Smith. He's not like most offensive coordinator. So they could be down by 30 in the second half. And they'll be sticking with that run game because that's just his bread and butter. And honestly, I think the Steelers' offense has been rock solid this season. I'm not going to say they're one of the elite offenses in football, but I think what they do and how they capitalize against defenses this year has actually been pretty admirable. I like the way they use the 13 personnel sets of the number one team in the NFL in terms of 13 personnel usage. They have the personnel for it in terms of their tight ends and their extra offensive linemen that they like to work in there.
Starting point is 00:16:02 Jalen Warren is a hard-nosed runner for his size. and I think Aaron Rogers has been the steadying force that they needed on that side of the ball. Even if he's not been perfect this year, I think he's played some pretty good football for them. So, yeah, I think the Steelers offense is definitely the strength of their team on paper and also on film. And it's going to be a tough matchup versus Colts defense. And I said this on the squad show and a little bit on the on the locked on Colts Steelers crossover was that I'm very curious to see how the Colts match up with that 13 personnel. usage because Luan Rumo's not going to come out there with base defense. They don't run base defense at all this year whatsoever.
Starting point is 00:16:42 So you can put all tight ends on the feet, but 14 personnel, it's not really a thing, but 14 personnel out there, and he's going to match it with nickel defense. You know, I'm assuming the Colts are going to go to their grizzly fronts a lot more, which is three defensive tackles and two defensive ends out there and just one linebacker along with the three corners and two safeties. That's typically how they combat bigger personnel sets. we'll see what they ultimately go with and how they're able to stop the run. But I do think this is going, this has the makings for like a shootout on paper.
Starting point is 00:17:14 I think the biggest key for the Colts is just getting timely stops early and getting turnovers early because that can lead to the Colts offense just getting into a route early in that first half and then they can change the dynamics of the game from there. But yeah, I think the Steelers offense is pretty solid. It's probably the third best offense the Colts has played this year, third or fourth best offense they played this year, maybe only behind the Rams. And honestly, they're probably better than the Chargers when they face the Chargers because the Chargers had you and be playing tackle in that game, Jake.
Starting point is 00:17:43 So, yeah, I think this is one of the better offensive units they play this year, and they're going to be tested in both the run game and the passing game. Yeah, and I don't think their line is bad, but I do think that they can give up some pressure. I mean, that's always one of the big reasons the quarterback gets rid of the ball so quickly. we saw kind of that same thing with the Rams. I'm kind of curious if this is a big Lou Aniromo schematic game. Like, is he going to do some things just to throw Rogers off by a second? Because I think if he does, if he makes him back off of his first quick, you know, quick shot real quick,
Starting point is 00:18:18 he could probably get some more pressure, get some sacks, force Rogers into an interceptioner. He's got like five this year, I think. So the Colts could force another turnover. They've done it in each game this year. but it's just very difficult, obviously, to kind of fool or trick or even, you know, hold off these quarterbacks that can get rid of the ball so quickly. But I think that's going to be key because we know just classically that the Colts have struggled to just get to the quarterback with like a four-man rush.
Starting point is 00:18:51 You know what I mean? So I think if you hold off Rogers just by a hiccup, you probably stand a lot better chance to get into them. And who knows? Maybe these offensive linemen are a little more banged up than what the injury report indicates now that they're off of it. But, you know, Frazier and Somalo,
Starting point is 00:19:09 you know, that's two-thirds of their interior. That could be an opportunity there. Yeah, and I also want to say that I think the biggest thing for me, this is the way that I would just approach Aaron Rogers, the way that he plays the game. I love Aaron Rogers. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback, but I struggle to say this. He's a bit more passive than some of the great quarterbacks
Starting point is 00:19:28 in the history of the game. And when I say that is he doesn't, there's a lot of windows that he won't test. Like he has his windows that he likes to test like outside the numbers, the safer windows. But when you see a quarterback with his interception number and his career so low, people are like, oh, he takes care of the ball so well.
Starting point is 00:19:43 It's like, well, it's because he's a bit more passive than some of the other great quarterbacks, especially now at his age. I think the key really is just get a lot of bodies into coverage around the sticks. And he'll dump it off. He'll dump it short. He won't push the boundary.
Starting point is 00:19:57 It's not like a Matthew Stafford, or Matthew Stafford has such this arrogance about him when he throws the football that you could have every defender in the right window, but he doesn't care. He'll throw it into that window still because that's just how Stafford has always played. Rogers, especially at this age, we'll check to a bubble screen on 3rd and 15. He will dink and dunk for sure. He will dink and dunk. And that can be successful. But I think when you're, you know, when you're facing that as a defense, a lot of me just says, I'll take that. If you want to go 15 plays down the field, I dare you to not have a tip ball with line of scrimmage in there.
Starting point is 00:20:30 I dare you not to have one of these bubble screens blown up. I dare you not to have a guy fumble in the open field, you know, like, because just one negative play can throw off that rhythm. And that's why dink and dunk is kind of hard to sustain at a high level. It can get you good drives here and there, but it's hard to sustain every single drive. So I think the key for me is I don't really want to bring too much pressure in this game. I don't really care what the sack numbers look like in this game. A lot of it really is just my tackling. Can I get guys back into spots and can we tackle at the first line of contact?
Starting point is 00:21:02 Because if we can, you know, hold Rogers to a four-yard A-dot in this game because he will have games where he does that, as long as these guys aren't falling forward for six, seven, eight yards, then we can win the game. So for me, I think that's the way I would combat Aaron Rogers is like, if he wants to be a dink and dunk quarterback, I'll let him be that. Just don't give up the deep shot to D.C. KMackav, don't give up the downfield fate to these receivers. Let them live underneath 10 yards and come up and make some tackles and punch that ball out if you have an opportunity.
Starting point is 00:21:33 Yeah, that's been a lot of dinkin and dunk. And not that Rogers won't push the ball downfield, but it's been more opportunistic. Yeah. You know what I mean? It's not been aggressive, just like you meant. So all right, guys, this is kind of one of the tougher matchups of the season. So I don't think it's such a layup that we have an easy pick this week. but we'll tell you what we think is going to happen in just a moment.
Starting point is 00:21:57 All right, let's be real, y'all. Making excuses doesn't solve anything. We've all heard them before. It's just stress. I'm tired. Or it happens to everyone sometimes, but when it comes to performance, sometimes your body just needs a little extra support,
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Starting point is 00:23:13 Now we're going to let you know what we think is going to happen in this one. Zach, I've got a prediction in the chamber, but let me hear yours first. What do you think is going to happen? And Colts versus Steelers and what used to never be favorable for the Colts, but Shane Steikins maybe got Mike Tomlin's number a little bit. Yeah, you know, I think that this is certainly a tougher game than some of the recent weeks. One, like, even though I compared it to the Chargers game, I still think it's a little bit tougher in the Chargers game.
Starting point is 00:23:39 Steelers are a bit healthier, and I think that they have a smoother operation going right now than what the Chargers did going into that game. But ultimately, this Colts team is just kind of a buzzsaw at the moment. moment. And I think they're going to get the Steelers best shot, especially in that first quarter on Sunday. Like the Steelers going to come out, reared up, ready to go, because they're four and three coming off of two losses. And they're the team that makes the playoffs every single year. You know, they're going to be ready to come into this moment and throw some haymakers early. So as long as the Colts can survive that first stretch, limit the turnovers, limit the
Starting point is 00:24:11 pre-snap penalties. I just think this is going to go a lot of ways that we've seen, like, you know, the Cardinals game go could be one option this place goes. If, you know, If neither defense can get to stop, I could see the Colts just edging it out at the end of the game. But I do think it's going to be a little bit closer to that Chargers-ish game in terms of the Colts get out to a lead pretty early. We see a good counterpunch from the Steelers and the Colts kind of pull away late. That's just kind of the way I see this game going. So I'm going to say, let's go 37 27 27-27 Colts is what I'm going to go with on Sunday. Another two-score win for the Colts, I guess.
Starting point is 00:24:50 you know, I'm undefeated this year picking the Colts to win games. So maybe that's actually the new thing there. But yeah, I just think that the Steelers team right now, they have a lot of issues on defense. Very few healthy safety. So we're going to see some Alec Pierce shots over those safeties there. And then I think
Starting point is 00:25:06 on defense again, as long as they can just not allow a touchdown on every single drive, I think that the Colts are going to be able to pull out victorious in this one. Yeah, I've got 3423 Colts try and stop Jonathan Taylor right now like in the last four games
Starting point is 00:25:24 he's got 500 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns which is bonkers very small elite company throughout NFL history so and we know John three fewer quarters than most guys would get in the last four games because he hasn't played the fourth quarter in most of those games
Starting point is 00:25:39 exactly I think we're even getting a little bit of excellence exhaustion because that might be the first we've really mentioned Jonathan in this entire episode that's true like Your MVP running back, that's a foregone conclusion that he's going to be productive in one way or another. Even if Pittsburgh wants to try and use all their resources to stop him, well, that's okay because your secondary is not tackling very well. And they've got Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alex Pierce, Tyler Warren. The Colts have answers for pretty much everything.
Starting point is 00:26:10 So the Pittsburgh defense is not doing well, so I don't really want to say this feels like a game where the Colts take a step down. or anything. So again, I think they still go over 30. This feels just like a normal offensive performance for them. The defensive side of the ball, though, like Aaron Rogers is as crafty as they come. He's mentally aggressive. He is one of the guys that will try and take advantage of everything like too many men on the field, encroachment. Like Aaron Rogers is a bonus points or bonus yards type of quarterback. He's always been ahead of the curve in that manner. So I always trust him to a degree to have more than the average quarterback would against the Colts. But they just, Arthur Smith doesn't move me.
Starting point is 00:27:00 Like that offense doesn't move me very much. You know what I mean? So I think the Colts have enough defensively. Again, I think it's one where Lou Anna Romo has to scheme something up well anyways. So they don't really have to be dependent on the Colts hot or cold pass rush. If Jalen Jones can come back, I think that is. is a big boost for them. So Jalen Jones is there.
Starting point is 00:27:23 Grover Stewart's there. I think those are really big positives for the Colts. And just ultimately a little too much for Pittsburgh to handle. So again, that's two scores for me as well, 34 to 23 Colts. Yeah. And then when we get to our like individual predictions,
Starting point is 00:27:38 my favorite part of every week because these are so hit or miss for us. We either are going to be very right or very, very wrong on these, but it makes this segment fun. I think I'm going to start off with just, we always have to talk about like the least. leading receiver or the big guy on offense. I think the Steelers are going to go so far out of their way to take Warren out of this
Starting point is 00:27:54 game plan after what Tucker Kraft just did to them last week. I think this is going to be a huge Josh Downs game. And I'm going to put it out there right now, right? Put it out there right now. The first Colts 100-yard receiver, Josh Downs this weekend against the Steelers, they're going to get so many quick opportunities with downs on option routes against Patrick Queen and also with the injuries at safety. I think Jaylon Ramsey is going to have to move out of the nickel and play some base down safety.
Starting point is 00:28:17 so then you might get a backup nickel in there. Darius Slay is listed as a safety on their injury. Yeah, so they'll move these guys around because they just don't have safeties currently. And I think you're just going to get some really prime matchups because they don't want to sacrifice on the outside against Pierce and Pittman, which will lead Downs to a lot. So I think Downs is going to get like nine catches in this game
Starting point is 00:28:37 for 100 yards and a touchdown. So that's going to be my big one on offense. Defense, you know, defense, they don't look off. awful maybe is like the biggest one but who do you want to add a Tommy while gets a quick sack on a pressure you know I think that could be one but what do you have for your predictions here Jake I have why I'll too lot who's getting his third pick yeah I like it because I think I think that's the way to play against they're gonna have to do a lot of the same stuff yeah the things that have brought
Starting point is 00:29:08 him as two other picks they're gonna have to do that in this matchup he's gonna be be dropping a bit I think and he's gonna get his third pick you know what pushes him again past his sacks, I think. I love that because Rogers likes to do these like quick slants. He tries to throw around guys and set me out. And I can totally see that just marrying with a
Starting point is 00:29:28 Lou drop eight coverage call or one of those blitzes where he drops Latu in the backside and it just hits Latu right in the chest. Now we'll see if he gets it. I love that prediction, Jake. I really want that one to come true. I feel that one in my bones. Yeah. Yeah. And then one for both of us here. Let's just put this both out there.
Starting point is 00:29:44 Let's get a Moeally Cox touchdown. I think he's earned it this year. He's fought. He's only got like two or three catches. Yeah, he's fought and scraped in the run game all year. We need to reward him with a touchdown in this one. Moe's actually historically had a pretty good run against the Steelers. Had a touchdown last year.
Starting point is 00:30:00 And then was a big time performer, I think, and there two years ago won as well against them. So let's get Mo a touchdown this weekend. Again, to allocating resources to Tyler Warren, they're going to be focused on the wrong tied in on whatever that may be. Let's have Moiley Cox to be the first 100-yard receiver this weekend. That would be... I would love it. Yeah, and Alex...
Starting point is 00:30:22 I think Alec Pierce is going to get a couple of big shots down the field in this one, too, just because, especially, like, against quarters, for instance, I think if they run any kind of quarter stuff with these backup and third string... You can go over the top on quarters, the old quarter of this ring. No way. You can go over the top on quarters. You know, you can have an inside dig and then post over the top with Alex Pierce. I mean, I guess, I guess that could work.
Starting point is 00:30:47 But yeah, I think that you're going to have an opportunity for like a dagger shot or for like a deep post to Pierce against quarters or cover two against these backup safeties. And I think, you know, look, calling a Pierce deep shot is not really a hot take whatsoever. It happens once a week. It happens once a week. Here's one from Joe here. He says Tyler Warren to Jones for a touchdown.
Starting point is 00:31:09 I don't know if he's going to throw it to Daniel Jones, but I do want a Warren touchdown at some point. Can I, can I just say that if he'd be allowed to do it, this feels like a game where A.D. Mitchell would kill the defense. If A.D. was given a role in this game, I feel like he would eat so hard, but I don't, like, he's going to have to make it happen in, like, three snaps or whatever. There's too many guys that are going to be out there, you know? But, yeah, I think this, ultimately, I think the Colts are going to win on Sunday. I just think they're the better football team. They got the better offense and honestly the better defense too, which I know everyone's going to be like, no, the Colts defense sucks. But watch the Steelers defense. You know,
Starting point is 00:31:49 at least the Colts are doing something innovative, innovative on defense on Sundays in terms of how they're bringing pressure. The Steelers are kind of doing the same thing. So we'll see. But I'm definitely stamping that Josh Downs prediction. I love your lot too. Well, we're going to stamp the downs over over 100 yards or at least leading the team and receiving yards. And layout two lost you getting a third pick of the season. Those are our stamps. If it happens, I'm marching right up to him in the locker room after and demanding $100 because I feel responsible for that.
Starting point is 00:32:18 We're cutting up the clips on here and putting it out there, though, for sure, if he gets it. But that's all we have for today. Guys, we want to thank you for making lockdown and culture first listen today and every day. The NFL season is finally here. So for your next listen, get a double dose of the locked on NFL podcast. Tyler the Madman Rolling gives you a shot of espresso to start your football day.
Starting point is 00:32:34 While Tony Wiggins takes you into the barbershop for the smoothest breakdowns to end the day. Find Lockdown NFL on YouTube wherever you listen to your podcast. You guys want to become a Lockdown Colts insider insider insider and chat with us directly and get that insider scoop for all the link in our show notes. And if you don't already, make sure you're following at Lockdown Colts at Jake Arthur NFL and at Zach Hicks 2 all on social. Also subscribe to us on YouTube. I'll list your podcast. We love you guys,
Starting point is 00:32:54 for rings and reviews as well. I want to thank you guys for tuning in here on this Halloween show. I'm dressed up as a podcaster who kind of knows some things. Jake is dressed up as a dad over there. So, you know, you're looking like Charlie from Twilight on here. is what you're looking like the dad yeah well i i have a k-pop demon hunter to get moving through
Starting point is 00:33:14 the neighborhood here soon so there we go there we go so we don't all of you guys to stay safe out there on halloween tonight have a great day and we'll see you guys back here for the locked on colts squad show following hopefully another victory over the pittsburgh stealers

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