NFL Week 9 Recap: Steelers Defensive Adjustments Spark Win

Warren Sharp analyzes how the Steelers’ defensive changes contributed to their victory over the Colts in Week 9.

Strategic Defensive Changes

After using their highest blitz rate of the season (46%) against the Green Bay Packers and suffering a heavy loss, the Steelers faced another strong offense in Week 9. The Colts had also performed well against blitzes, but Pittsburgh drastically adjusted their approach.

The Steelers reduced their blitz rate from 46% in Week 8 to 24% against the Colts—their lowest of the season.
Pittsburgh, known as the #3 blitz-heavy team in the NFL, adopted more varied and less predictable defensive schemes.

Coverage and Scheme Adjustments

Alongside the blitz reduction, the Steelers significantly altered their coverage tactics:

They played their highest rate of Cover 2 defense this season.
They used the second-lowest rate of man coverage.
This creativity disrupted the Colts’ passing attack effectively.

Run Defense Improvement

The Steelers also excelled in run defense, holding the NFL’s top rushing offense—the Colts—to minimal gains. Before the game:

The Colts ranked #1 in rushing offense.
The Steelers’ run defense was ranked #16.
For six games prior, the Steelers had only faced rushing offenses ranked #18 or worse.

“The Steelers played nothing but rushing offenses that ranked #18 or worse for six straight games. Now, they had to go up against the #1 Colts.”

This match-up tested Pittsburgh’s defense more than any previous game in the season.

Author’s summary: The Steelers’ strategic reduction of blitzes, creative coverage schemes, and strong run defense were key to overcoming the Colts’ top-ranked rushing attack and securing a Week 9 win.

Sharp Football Analysis — 2025-11-05