Pittsburg Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts
Final Score: Colts 30, Steelers 13
Writer: Brian Hartman (@TooMuch_Brian on Twitter)
In a game starting backup quarterbacks, it had a surprising amount of playoff implications. The Colts and Steelers came into Week 15, holding the last two spots in the AFC playoff picture. Despite the Steelers holding a one-point lead at halftime, Gardner Minshew did everything he could with a depleted team to manufacture a convincing win over the Steelers. The Steelers had never lost in Lucas Oil Stadium, having won their previous eight meetings with the Colts, but watched that streak come to an end today. Michael Pittman and Zack Moss were knocked out of this game early in the first half, removing the only startable players for fantasy teams. After a goal-line score and then a blocked punt setting the Steelers up to go up 14 points in the second quarter, the Colts continued to score the remaining 30 points in the game. Jonathan Taylor was out to start this game, so when Zack Moss left, it gave us a combo of Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon, who filled in well, combining for 157 yards on the ground. With wins from the Bengals and the Browns, the Steelers are no longer in control of their playoff destiny.
Three Up
- Diontae Johnson – After a struggle in the first half of the season, Johnson has become a favorite for backup QB Mitch Trubisky, scoring in each of his last three games.
- Colts D/St – This defense isn’t stopping teams from scoring, but the amount of sacks, takeaways, and touchdowns they have scored since Week 9 is unmatched. They’ve had 25 sacks, four fumbles, and nine interceptions over that time.
Three Down
- Josh Downs – The rookie receiver for the Colts has struggled to be an effective player since his injury.
- Steelers backfield – Najee missed on multiple goalline carries and Warren couldn’t break away with his big play ability. This offense isn’t potent enough to keep both backs viable in every matchup.
- George Pickens – He watched on multiple plays as the ball carrier went past him, and he made no effort to throw a block. Najee had a missed score down on the goalline simply because Pickens refused to even put hands on his defender.
Pittsburg Steelers
Quarterback
Mitch Trubisky: 16/23 169 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | 2 carries, 1 yard, 1 TD
Another week, another mediocre performance by Mitch Trubisky. He had a decent first half, but this offense continues to struggle to move the ball the length of the field. Their second touchdown came from a blocked punt that set them up in a goal-to-go situation. Trubisky had a carry on the one that was fumbled from his hands as he outstretched over the goal line but was overturned after review.
Running Back
Najee Harris: 12 carries, 33 yards
It was quite a gross game for Najee Harris. He outcarried Jaylen Warren but was unable to do anything with it. Najee saw multiple touches inside the five-yard line but was tackled for a loss more often than he wasn’t. In an offense that inspires little hope, the 2020 first-round pick is not a player sought after for fantasy lineups.
Jaylen Warren: 10 carries, 40 yards | 6 targets, 5 receptions, 28 yards
Jaylen Warren had a decent day regarding production, but he couldn’t break away for a substantial play against the struggling Colt’s run defense. Warren’s longest run of the day was an eleven-yard run. The best part of his day was bringing in five of his six targets. Jaylen had a run that dropped him inside the three-yard line, that Mitch Trubisky punched in.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Diontae Johnson: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
Weirdly, Diontae Johnson has seen his best games of the season with backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the game. He has now scored in three straight games. Now, while six targets isn’t a bad day, it is not the volume we hoped to see from Diontae Johnson coming into the season.
George Pickens: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 47 yards
The flashes of brilliance continue to shimmer when Pickens gets the ball in his hand, but the lack of care he shows when on the field and not being featured hurt his overall chances of being a focal point in this offense. George Pickens missed a key block for Najee Harris, and it was all too obvious that he doesn’t care to be a team player in any aspect of his game. It’s a disappointing sight for a player with so much talent.
Allen Robinson: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
It’s still hard to believe we are watching the same Allen Robinson who had multiple top-12 seasons in fantasy. He goes out there as nothing but a role player. He still blocks better than George Pickens, though.
Pat Freiermuth: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards
We were able to hear the “MUUUUUUTH” all from their crowd a couple of times today. Pat Freiermuth did very little with his three catches, but it seems like it doesn’t take much to impress the Steeler fans at this point in the season.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew: 18/28 comp, 215 yards, 3 TD | 2 carries
This may have been Gardner Minshew‘s greatest game as an Indianapolis Colt. This team had so much stacked against them going into halftime with a one-point deficit, losing his number one receiver in Michael Pittman, and having to run the ball with third and fourth-string running backs. He looked calm in the pocket, unlike his previous five games, stood strong behind his line, and made big plays with any and all teammates on the field with him. He finished the day tied with his career-high three touchdown passes.
Running Back
Zack Moss: 4 carries, 13 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 20 yards, 1 TD
Zack Moss has had the majority of his success today through the air. While only being able to pull in thirteen yards on his limited carries, he seemed to be in for an average day similar to what we’ve seen in his previous two games since taking over for the injury Jonathan Taylor. Zack Moss left right before halftime with an arm injury. He could not return to the game, so his injury will need to be monitored going into the week.
Tyler Goodson: 11 carries, 69 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Signed from the Packers practice squad, Tyler Goodson made himself a great one in the one-two punch played by the Colts today. Once Zack Moss left, Goodson was used as a rusher and a receiver to show his elusiveness and ability to move in the open field. The real excitement came following his 31-yard run, which helped set up Indy for another score.
Trey Sermon: 17 carries, 88 yards
Third-year player Trey Sermon has bounced around practice squads quite a bit since being released from the 49ers after they drafted him. He found himself in a good position as the primary rusher once Zack Moss was injured. He continued to chip away at this Steelers defense and broke off a game-long 19-yard run.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Micheal Pittman: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 78 yards
Michael Pittman was off to another fabulous day; he played until halfway into the second quarter and had already brought in four of his targets for 78 yards. Pittman showed off his dominance as the Colt’s number-one receiver until he was knocked out of the game. Steelers safety Damontae Kazee launched his shoulder into Pittman while diving for a catch. Immediately, you could tell he was shaken up after taking the shot to the head. Pittman was able to get up and leave under his strength but was later ruled out with a concussion.
Josh Downs: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
The struggles continue for the rookie Josh Downs. It was all too surprising that even after the exit of Michael Pittman, Downs couldn’t set himself apart as the main beneficiary. Downs also took a huge hit for the Steelers early in the first quarter, but shook it off and kept playing.
Alec Pierce: 5 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
Yet again, another young, promising wide receiver for the Colts that could not take advantage of missing Michael Pittman. Alec Pierce brought in only one of his targets and continued to run up and down the field outside of that. With a successful running game like the Colts had today, it’s easier to understand the limited yards for the receivers. The Colts run the ball on eleven straight plays at one point in the second half.
Kylen Granson: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
There legitimately might be more tight ends than any other positions on this Colts roster. The way they rotate them out and use them differently is impressive and insanely frustrating for fantasy.
Mo Alie-Cox: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards, 1 TD
The giant behemoth of a man, Mo Alie-Cox, did what he did best. He pulled in his ninth catch of the season and also his third touchdown of the season.