Steelers out to stop the rampant Colts

Monday night is again the big night in the NFL this week as the high-flying, unbeaten Indianapolis Colts face the bruising Pittsburgh Steelers in what promises to be one of the games of the season. The Colts, having won all 10 of their games to date, are bidding to do the virtually impossible and win every one of their regular season games.

Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James have been destroying all before them to date, while their defence, much criticised in recent seasons, has stood up superbly, making the Colts the obvious pick for the Superbowl in January.

However, they know they will be in for a tough encounter on Monday when the Steelers roll into town, a strong, no-nonsense team who rely on a strong offence but who also, in Ben Roethlisberger, have a young quarter-back who gets his offence going even under the most intense of pressure. Having missed the last three games with a knee injury, Roethlisberger is expected to return against the Colts, and that could be crucial.

The last time the two sides met, in October 2002, the Steelers found a way to shut down Manning and co, and they ran out 28-10 winners. That win, though, was in Pittsburgh and home advantage is always a big factor in the NFL.

For all their offensive prowess, there is still a suspicion that the Colts might be vulnerable if you can get at their defence. It's only a suspicion but if the Steelers can get on the board first, the dynamic of the game will change and if they then run the ball, eating up time, the pressure can get to the Colts and mistakes may follow.

Having said that, the Colts are absolutely sky high on confidence and they may still find a way to win, but at the prices, I can see the Colts staying within a touchdown, if not taking victory.