The Tantalizing Ten: Steelers Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten: when the Colts (6-5) head to Pittsburgh (6-5) for their final primetime game of 2015?
It's a rematch of the quarterbacks from Super Bowl XL (2005) on Sunday night. Matt Hasselbeck has slung his way to a 4-0 record in starting for the Colts this season. He's been the MVP of 2015 for Indianapolis when you consider his success compared to virtually none for the league's other backup quarterbacks.
No wide receiver has more yards after the catch in 2015 than Antonio Brown. His elusiveness puts open field tackling at an all-time high for the Colts this weekend. With the complementary weapons besides Brown, that might keep the Colts from having Vontae Davis shadow him this weekend.
All things considered, Good played well in his first career NFL action. The Colts have a young tackle they feel like they can groom and now he's going to get another test this weekend. How will Good handle one of the NFL's most hostile environments, in primetime?
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expects Vontae Davis to shadow Antonio Brown for at least some portion of Sunday's game. While it's no given that Davis shadows the All-Pro wide receiver, the Colts are going to need a Pro Bowl effort from No. 21 on Sunday. Remember last year when Pittsburgh exploded for more than 600 yards of total offense, Davis went out with an injury after 11 snaps.
Big Ben leads the NFL in passing yards per game, in his seven starts this season. When healthy, the long-time Steelers quarterback has played like the future Hall of Famer he will likely be. The Colts didn't sack Big Ben once in last year's loss in Pittsburgh, something that obviously has to change this weekend.
Playing through nagging injuries, Gore has averaged just 2.5 yards per carry in the past four weeks. For the fifth straight game, the Colts are going to face another top-12 run defense (Pittsburgh ranks No. 7). You know the Colts want to get Gore going in a hostile environment, trying to play keep away from Big Ben.
The Colts found Hilton with room to run on more than one occasion last week. Chuck Pagano has been wanting to hit on some chunk plays and Hilton provided that against the Bucs. Hilton will see Antonio Brown this weekend. The two grew up together in northwestern Miami and both played football growing up for Hilton's father, Tyrone.
Pro Bowl voting is ramping up and McAfee looks to be in line for a second straight nomination. He leads the league in punting average and ranks second in net punting average. Field position is going to be a premium on Sunday with McAfee heading back to the area he grew up.
The Colts cornerbacks are going to be tested on Sunday with arguably the game's most explosive wideout group opposite them. A trio of Steelers receivers have had at least 175 receiving yards in a game this season, which is an NFL record. The pass rush we saw in the second half of the win over Tampa would come in handy for the secondary on Sunday night.
One of the most important offseason additions in 2015, DeAngelo Williams, is now the Steelers running back. With All-Pro runner Le'Veon Bell on injured reserve, Williams has allowed the Steelers to still be a balanced attack, ranking in the top 10 of the NFL in passing and running.
