Overview
- Hours before kickoff, the Steelers downgraded safety Chuck Clark and linebacker Cole Holcomb to out with illnesses, compounding losses that already include DeShon Elliott and Daniel Ekuale to injured reserve and Jabrill Peppers to a quad injury.
- The Colts arrive 7-1 with the NFL’s top totals in yards (385.3 per game) and scoring (33.8), powered by Jonathan Taylor, who leads the league with 14 total touchdowns.
- Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed the most passing yards per game and ranks poorly on third down and in scoring-drive rate, heightening the challenge against Shane Steichen’s balanced attack.
- Aaron Rodgers enters with 16 passing touchdowns and a 104.4 rating as Pittsburgh eyes the air game, with analysis split on whether Indy’s defense is vulnerable to protection-based attacks despite strong sack numbers led by DeForest Buckner.
- Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium on CBS/Paramount+, with Indianapolis favored by about three points and an over/under near 50.5.