INDIANAPOLIS — Colts head coach Shane Steichen believes he should have adjusted his game plan as Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh unfolded, likely by calling a few more runs in the first half.
Indianapolis called 11 runs and 20 passes in the first half against a Pittsburgh defense that entered Sunday’s game giving up more passing yards than any defense in the NFL.
But the Steelers pass rush took over the game, sacking Daniel Jones five times and forcing five turnovers by the Indianapolis quarterback — three interceptions and two fumbles.
“I could’ve been more balanced there, probably in the first half,” Steichen said. “We moved the ball really well on that first drive, and then I think we had some opportunities there to start the second quarter. We were driving pretty good, up 7-0, had a chance there. That’s when the sack-fumble happened.”
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, got off to a slow start, picking up just 10 yards on his first five carries and 23 yards on eight carries in the first half overall.
But Steichen indicated he believes there were adjustments the coaching staff could have made to the Indianapolis running game to be more successful and potentially take some of the teeth out of the Pittsburgh pass rush.
“You always look back at those situations, and hey, shoot, maybe I could’ve called a run here, maybe I could’ve called a run there,” Steichen said. “Maybe a little more balanced there, in that first half, with what they were doing, and then we go from there.”
Pittsburgh’s defense approached the Colts running game by overloading the middle of the field, making it hard for Indianapolis to give Taylor any room to run. Nearly all of the 45 yards Taylor gained on 14 carries were created with his own ingenuity.
“I always look at the schematics, first and foremost, trying to put our guys in better positions,” Steichen said. “It starts with me.”
The Colts must now regroup before flying to Berlin to take on a Falcons defense that has been excellent against the pass but vulnerable to the run.
Atlanta is giving up 158.1 yards per game through the air, the best mark in the NFL; the Falcons rank 23rd in the NFL against the run, giving up 124.4 yards per game, and 20th in yards per carry, allowing 4.4.
The Falcons have given up more than 100 rushing yards in six of their seven games this season, although Atlanta has held its last two opponents to fewer than four yards per carry in losing efforts.
“As we look through this week, look at what Atlanta’s doing and how they’re playing different things, obviously (we want to) put our guys in the best position to go be successful,” Steichen said. “And be ready to adjust on the sideline when the time occurs.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
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