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Records: Pittsburgh (3-0); Indianapolis (1-2)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Steelers by 2
Series record: Colts lead 24-19
Against the spread: Pittsburgh 3-0, Colts 2-1
Last meeting: Colts won 30-13 in Indianapolis on Dec. 16, 2023
Last week: Steelers beat Chargers 20-10 in Pittsburgh; Colts beat Bears 21-16 in Indianapolis
Steelers offense: overall (24), rush (12), pass (29), scoring (24)
Steelers defense: overall (1), rush (2-T), pass (5), scoring (1)
Colts offense: overall (17), rush (11), pass (24), scoring (17-T)
Colts defense: overall (31), rush (31), pass (18), scoring (13-T)
Turnover differential: Steelers plus-4, Colts minus-2.
Steelers player to watch: QB Justin Fields. The former Chicago Bear is starting to find his footing in Pittsburgh. He's undefeated through three starts and is coming off his best performance of the season, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown while running for another in a win over the Chargers. He's also starting to build a case that he should remain the starter even after Russell Wilson's calf heals.
Colts player to watch: WR Michael Pittman Jr. The previous time these teams met in December, Pittman was knocked out of the game on a hit to the head from Steelers S Damontae Kazee, who was suspended the rest of the season. This time, Anthony Richardson and the Indy passing game need a jump start -- and Pittman could be just the guy to make it happen.
Key matchup: Steelers run defense vs. Jonathan Taylor. Pittsburgh's stifling defense is ranked in the top five in total defense, run defense, pass defense and scoring defense and, like previous Steelers teams, prides itself on playing big -- regardless of the opponent. Taylor seems to be rounding into the form that helped him win the 2021 rushing title. He has back-to-back 100-yard games and three TD runs in three weeks. It could be an interesting matchup.
Key injuries: Steelers will be without OLB Alex Highsmith (groin). Nick Herbig, who had two sacks last week against Los Angeles, will get the start. Pittsburgh LG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) will also likely miss a fourth straight game. QB Russell Wilson continues to rehab a calf injury and is expected to serve as the emergency (third) quarterback. RB Jaylen Warren (leg) was limited during the early part of the week. … Three-time Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner (sprained ankle) and starting CB JuJu Brents (knee) are already on injured reserve for the Colts and they lost two more starters late last week's game. Decisions on Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore II (hip) or starting DE Kwity Paye (quadriceps) may be made later this week.
Series notes: Indy's win last season snapped Pittsburgh's eight-game winning streak in this series. The Steelers won nine straight over the Colts from 1985-2002. … Pittsburgh has won all four postseason matchups. The Steelers went on two play in two Super Bowls after those victories. … These franchises represent two of the three teams that moved from the NFL to the AFC as part of the 1970 AFC-NFL merger. The other was Cleveland.
Stats and stuff: Pittsburgh is 3-0 for the ninth time since 1970. The Steelers have gone on to win the division title in seven of the eight previous years they started 3-0. … The Steelers have won six straight regular-season games going back to last season. That's the second-longest active streak in the league. Pittsburgh's most recent regular-season loss was to the Colts last December. … The Steelers are the fifth team since 2000 to allow 10 points or fewer in each of their first three games. … Pittsburgh LB T.J. Watt enters the game with 99.5 sacks. The perennial All-Pro has one sack in each game this season. … Indy has scored at least 20 points in 15 of its past 20 games and has 12 plays of 20 or more yards this season. … The Colts are one of five teams that has not lost a fumble in 2024. … Colts QB Anthony Richardson has thrown one TD pass and five interceptions over the past weeks. He's only been sacked four times in three weeks. … Taylor previously had three straight 100-yard games from Weeks 15-17 in 2021.