Collins
With the Colts (0-2) on the schedule this week, this could have been a statement game for the Steelers (1-1) 2011 season. That all changed when it was announced that Peyton Manning would not start the season opener for the Colts and his return was unknown. The Colts signed retired quarterback Kerry Collins to lead their team when it became apparent that backup quarterback Curtis Painter could not.
Collins has been less than stellar for the Colts. Going in to week three, Kerry Collins has fumbled four times losing three of them. Add those fumbles to his one interception and his lack of offensive production, and you have a great situation for the Steelers who are still reeling from their week one loss to Baltimore.
The Steelers looked great in week two, a 24-0 demolishing of the Seattle Seahawks, but that has not removed the taste from their beating a week earlier. The only thing that will ease that loss is to beat the Ravens but that rematch is not until November, so in the mean time the Steelers need to rebuild their confidence. Both sides of the ball looked flat at times against the Seahawks, but that did not change the shear dominance they had over the Seahawks.
The Steelers have dominated the Colts since their days in Baltimore, starting in 1950. The Steelers hold a large advantage winning in 19 of 25 meetings. The last meeting in Indianapolis was in 2008, a 24-20 defeat at the hands of Peyton Manning. As a side note the Steelers have only lost back to back games to the Colts once. That happened when the Colts beat the Steelers in 1968 and 1971, remember the Steelers and Colts only meet every three years, with the exception of the playoffs. Since the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1983 the Steelers are 11-3 against them and have even kept Manning in relative check winning two of four from the future Hall of Famer.
COLTS SEASON STATS:
Kerry Collins- 35 of 69 388 yards 2 touchdowns 1 interception
*Collins is only averaging 50.7% completion and has turned the ball over 5 times.
Joseph Addai- 22 carries for 103 yards
*Addai will share time with Delone Carter who has carried 18 times for 71 yards.
Reggie Wayne- 11 catches for 172 yards and 1 touchdown
*The Colts line has not allowed Collins time to throw deep to Wayne.
Defense- The Colts are allowing 343.5 yards and 30.5 points per game and allowing teams to convert 48% of third down attempts.
INJURY REPORT
Brett Keisel- out; Bryant McFadden- out; Chris Kemoeatu will return to the starting left guard spot after missing last weeks game.
FINAL TAKE
The Steelers defense is the key to this game. After being destroyed by Baltimore in week one the team was talked about all week as being over the hill, on the down turn and old news. The win last win didn't change many peoples minds and this game won't as well. If they can pitch another shut out though, it builds confidence and would help the team work out thier kinks before playing the high flying Texans. The Steelers need to make sure they are not looking past the Colts towards those Texans and I don't think they will.
STEELERS WIN: 27-3
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