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 (5-5) play on Thanksgiving against the Steelers (5-5) in Week 12?
Big Ben loves seeing the Colts on the schedule. In meetings each of the last two years, Big Ben is 64-of-88 for 886 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions against the Colts. The Colts didn't sack him in either loss. An interesting note on Big Ben is that he didn't attempt a pass of more than 20 yards in last week's win over the Browns.
Last year on a Thursday night game, the Colts had major uncertainty who would be the quarterback. A sick Matt Hasselbeck got the starting nod and leaned heavily on Frank Gore. In that win over the Texans, Gore rushed 22 times for 98 yards. Any sort of output from Gore matching that would be welcomed this Thursday.
With Andrew Luck ruled OUT, Scott Tolzien will be under center on Thursday night. Tolzien has thrown just one pass in the last three seasons. He has two career starts, completing 61.5 percent of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions.
"Where's Waldo?" That is the approach to Antonio Brown when the Steelers appear on the schedule. Brown lines up all over the field and can impact the game in so many different ways. Is it time for the Colts to bring out their "Vontae Davis shadow" package on Thursday night?
A major reason why Pittsburgh has had so much success against the Colts the last two years has been in creating a very clean pocket for Ben Roethlisberger. The Colts come into Thursday night off a season-high five-sack game versus Tennessee. If the Colts want any chance at slowing down Big Ben, the disruption of timing has to be prevalent.
We haven't seen it in more than a month. Is the Vontae Davis shadow coming on Thursday night? On paper, such a move certainly makes sense. Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown is one of the NFL's ultimate playmaker. Brown moves around formations a lot so that could impact how much of a shadow role the Colts potentially use with Davis.
If it is indeed Scott Tolzien under center on Thursday, he will probably look into the direction of this big man. Donte Moncrief has scored a touchdown in all three of his games back from injury. Games like these are ones where the skill guys have to help their quarterback out.
This Steelers defense isn't the same juggernaut we've seen before. But it is a defense coming off an eight-sack performance against the Browns. That's the most sacks the Steelers have had in a game since 2005. With Andrew Luck's concussion, even more of an onus falls on the line this week to protect the quarterback and carve out some open running lanes.
The other concussion injury for the Colts this week could impact how Darius Butler is used this weekend. Clayton Geathers hasn't practiced. Does that lead to Butler joining Mike Adams at safety on Thursday? That would allow for the Colts to keep T.J. Green in a reserve role with Patrick Robinson (healthy) sliding into the nickel. This package could be used much more this week, compared to the Titans game.
In last year's 45-10 loss to the Steelers, Le'Veon Bell was sidelined. He's back now and is once again among the NFL's most effective running backs. The "running back" label includes more than capable receiving duties for Bell, too. Last week against the Browns, Bell had 201 yards from scrimmage.
