INDIANAPOLIS — Coming off their first win of the season, a 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears, the Indianapolis Colts know their biggest challenge heading into their Week 4 home matchup Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers: prevent linebacker T.J. Watt from wrecking the game.
“You’ve got to have a plan. You’ve got to have a plan for him, for sure,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said before being asked if he has one.
"I hope so," he said.
The last comment drew laughter, but the Colts (1-2) are serious about finding a way to negate one of the NFL's top defensive playmakers.
In five career games against Indy, Watts has recorded 15 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, forced two fumbles and won four times. His only loss in the series came in December when he had three tackles and two sacks.
The Steelers (3-0) have since won all six regular-season games they've played as Watts recorded 23 tackles and five sacks.
Indy's best option would appear to be running the ball with Richardson and Jonathan Taylor, giving the Steelers' No. 2-ranked run defense a multitude of different looks to keep them off balance.
Taylor topped the 100-yard mark each of the past two weeks, against Green Bay and Chicago, and is seeking his first three-game streak since 2021 when he was the NFL's rushing champ. Richardson hasn't really showcased his running ability yet with only 18 carries for 117 yards and one score.
Kickoff is scheduled for just after 1 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. Stay up to date on all the action with live updates in our game blog.
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Fourth quarter:
0:29 — The Colts kneel it out for their second victory of the season! FINAL: Colts 27, Steelers 24
0:37 — On 4th and 10, Justin Fields hurls a pass toward Van Jefferson, but the Colts break it up and take over on downs!
1:07 — On 3rd and long, Justin Fields finds Najee Harris, but Harris can only get 11 yards, bringing up 4th down.
1:14 — Justin Fields can't hit George Pickens and the pass falls incomplete.
1:43 — The Colts defense forces a fumble, but its recovered by the Steelers. However, it's an 11-yard loss to force 2nd and 21.
2:00 — Najee Harris runs for a 3-yard gain, but a Steelers first down.
2:15 — On 1st and 10, Justin Fields passes to Van Jefferson for a 9-yard gain. The clock runs to the two-minute warning.
2:39 — The Steelers take over at their own 17-yard line. On 1st and 10, Justin Fields runs for a 12-yard gain and a quick first down.
2:52 — On 3rd and 15, Joe Flacco heaves one long to Adonai Mitchell, but the pass falls incomplete, forcing the Colts to punt.
2:58 — The Steelers sack Joe Flacco to bring up 3rd and long. Pittsburgh calls a timeout.
3:40 — After the kickoff goes for a touchback, the Colts take over at their own 30-yard line. Trey Sermon gets the call again, but is only able to run for 3 yards.
3:40 — Justin Fields passes to Pat Freiermuth, who extends his body to get into the end zone for a Steelers touchdown. Boswell's extra point attempt is good. SCORE: Colts 27, Steelers 24
4:20 — On 1st and 10, Najee Harris runs up the middle for a gain of 5-yards, bringing the Steelers to the Colts 5-yard line.
4:47 — Justin Fields finds Van Jefferson to put the Steelers deep into Colts territory.
5:57 — The Steelers take over on offense once again. The Colts defense held the Steelers to 3rd and 2, but Justin Fields found George Pickens deep for a 37-yard gain and a first down.
6:06 — Three straight runs by Trey Sermon stall the Colts drive in the red zone. Matt Gay kicks a field goal to give the Colts a 10-point lead with six minutes to play in the game. SCORE: Colts 27, Steelers 17.
8:11 — On 3rd and 7, Joe Flacco finds Josh Downs at the Steelers 21-yard line for a gain of 10-yards.
10:12 — Jonathan Taylor breaks free for a huge 21-yard run before being pushed out of bounds at the Steelers 34-yard line.
10:47 — Joe Flacco passes to Josh Downs for a 13-yard gain and a Colts first down following the Steelers' kickoff that went for a touchback.
11:23 — Justin Fields scrambles out of the pocket and finds his way into the end zone for a Steelers touchdown. Boswell's extra point is good. SCORE: Colts 24, Steelers 17.
12:19 — Najee Harris pushes through the trenches for a 1-yard gain and first down.
12:52 — Now in the red zone, Justin Fields hits George Pickens for a 9-yard gain, bringing the Steelers to the Colts 3-yard line and setting up 3rd and short.
13:32 — Justin Fields finds Najee Harris, who runs for a 32-yard gain. Dayo Odeyingbo makes a late hit on fields and is flagged for roughing the passer.
14:10 — The Steelers take over on their own 35-yard line following Matt Gay's kickoff going for a touchback. Justin Fields runs right on 2nd and 5 for a gain of 8 and a first down.
14:43 — On 3rd and 10, Joe Flacco hits Andrew Ogletree with a short pass up the middle. Ogletree has a clear path to the end zone and scores for a Colts touchdown! Matt Gay's extra point is good. SCORE: Colts 24, Steelers 10
Third quarter:
0:09 — On 3rd and 7, Joe Flacco finds Josh Downs for a 25-yard reception to end the third quarter.
1:32 — On 2nd and 10, Joe Flacco passes deep to Adonai Mitchell, but it falls incomplete. However, there is a penalty against the Steelers for unnecessary roughness, giving the Colts an automatic first down.
2:41 — On their next possession, the Colts take a while to get the drive going, but Flacco eventually hits Pittman for a 12-yard gain and a first down.
2:53 — With good field position, the Steelers march down the field before Justin Fields runs in for a 5-yard touchdown. Boswell's extra point is good. SCORE: Colts 17, Steelers 10
5:55 — The Colts are stopped for a three-and-out. Matt Gay lines up for a field goal, but it's wide left and no good. The Steelers take possession at their own 44-yard line.
7:48 — On 3rd and 10, Justin Fields is sacked by Chris Lammons, who also forces and recovers a fumble by Fields. He returns the fumble to the Steelers 42-yard line.
8:46 — The Steelers defense holds the Colts to a three-and-out. Calvin Austin III makes a big return and takes it back to the Colts 33-yard line.
10:37 — The Colts finally stop the Steelers' drive, forcing a punt from around midfield.
13:59 — Justin Fields is sacked by Julian Blackmon and Grover Stewart for a 1-yard loss.
14:36 — Najee Harris runs for a gain of 3 yards.
15:00 — Justin Fields runs left for a gain of 4-yards, but the Colts are called for defensive offsides.
15:00 — Matt Gay kicks off to start the second half. His kick goes for a touchback.
Second quarter:
HALFTIME — COLTS 17, STEELERS 3
0:04 — The Steelers spike the ball and set up for a 50-yard field goal for Chris Boswell. Boswell's kick is good, giving the Steelers their first points of the game.
0:18 — Justin Fields runs right for an 11-yard gain.
0:23 — Dayo Odeyingbo comes up with another big sack on Justin Fields.
0:43 — Fields finds George Pickens for what is initially ruled an incomplete pass before being overturned and ruled a 6-yard completion.
1:07 — Justin Fields appears to throw a pass beyond the line of scrimmage on 2nd and 14. He finds Pat Freiermuth for a 29-yard gain. The referees do not call a penalty, nor is it reviewed before the next play gets off.
1:14 — Dayo Odeyingbo sacks Justin Fields on the Steelers' first play following the punt.
1:25 — Jonathan Taylor runs up the middle on 3rd and long, but only gets 9 yards. Mike Tomlin calls a timeout as Rigoberto Sanchez lines up to punt.
1:33 — On 2nd and 15, Joe Flacco passes deep to Alec Pierce, but Pierce cannot haul it in.
1:36 — During a hurry-up, Joe Flacco lines up in the shotgun, but Quentin Nelson is flagged for a false start.
2:00 — Joe Flacco takes a shotgun snap and finds Michael Pittman for a 17-yard reception and a Colts first down!
2:10 — On 1st and 10, Joe Flacco finds Josh Downs for a 9-yard gain. The two-minute warning sounds after the reception.
3:13 — Justin Fields finds George Pickens at the Colts 5-yard line, but Pickens fumbles the ball! Julian Blackmon recovers at the Colts 3-yard line!
8:14 - The Colts punt the ball away. Still 17-0.
10:58 - Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a hip injury, the Colts say.
10:58 - The Steelers aren't able to get anything going on their next drive and punt the ball away. Colts offense back onto the field with Flacco at QB. 17-0 Colts.
12:31 - The Colts march into the red zone and tack on a field goal. It's now 17-0. Anthony Richardson is still watching from the sidelines, for now.
15:00 - Anthony Richardson is back on the sidelines. Joe Flacco remains in the game for now.
First quarter:
0:28 - The Steelers go for it on 4th down but can't convert. Colts with the ball again, up 14-0 late in the first quarter and in Steelers territory.
1:44 - Anthony Richardson is questionable to return with a hip injury, the Colts say.
2:34 - Joe Flacco connects with wide receiver Josh Downs. Colts up 14-0.
3:29 - Now Richardson is back out of the game after another hit on a late slide. Joe Flacco is at quarterback.
3:58 - Richardson is back on the field after missing a couple plays.
5:25 - Anthony Richardson has exited with an injury. He turned his back to a hit while running and fumbled the ball, but the Colts recovered it. Richardson appeared to be grabbing his hip area. Joe Flacco is in the game at quarterback for the Colts.
7:19 - The Steelers are forced to punt after an eight-play drive for 29 yards.
10:39 - Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is sacked on 3rd down, but a roughing the passer penalty is called on Isaiah Land. Pittsburgh at midfield.
12:02 - An excellent start for the Colts offense. Jonathan Taylor with a 2-yard run for the touchdown. Early 7-0 lead. Eight-play, 70-yard drive for the Colts. Anthony Richardson had a stellar throw to Michael Pittman Jr. during the drive.
That was the Colts' first opening drive touchdown of the season.
15:00 - Colts receive the opening kickoff and start at the 30-yard line after a touchback.
Pregame
11:35 a.m. - Here's the Colts' inactive players for today's game, including center Ryan Kelly (neck).
11:30 a.m. - As is no surprise, the roof will be closed at Lucas Oil Stadium today.
11:25 a.m. - 13 Sports Director Dave Calabro took us Inside the Huddle ahead of today's matchup with Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin: