Steelers’ Najee Harris ready to go 15 rounds with Colts

The Pittsburgh Steelers have scored 51 points in their first three games this season. Yet the Steelers have managed to win all three.

Pittsburgh defeated the Atlanta Falcons 18-10 on Sept. 8, the Denver Broncos 13-6 on Sept. 15 and the Los Angeles Chargers 20-10 on Sept. 22.

The victory over the Chargers was business as usual for Pittsburgh, Steelers running back Najee Harris said.

“I think this past matchup, man, it was a good example of a 15-round fight,” Harris said. “We came out slow. They had a good defense, obviously. They had a good front. We knew they had good players. (Joey) Bosa, (Khalil) Mack, Derwin (James), so them guys, they’re all playmakers. And we knew it was going to be that type of battle.

“And that’s going to be like that almost every week. That’s something we expect. We’re not hoping or wishing for a close game, but we’re always prepared for that fight. It’s the NFL.”

Since Harris joined Pittsburgh from Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 29 of the Steelers’ 31 victories have featured a margin of 10 or fewer points.

“We don’t expect a tight game,” Harris said. “We’re not expecting it, but we are aware that it’s the NFL. It ain’t going to be a blowout like college. This is good on good, so when that time comes, when it is a battle -- and since I’ve been here there has been a battle -- we are prepared for that because that’s our type of game. That’s what we’re here for.

“That’s what coach (Mike Tomlin) really teaches. Whenever you’re in those little situations where it’s close game and whoever taps first, just make sure that you’re not the one tapping out. Make sure you’re the one applying the pressure. We’ve applied the pressure, and we’re excited for the next challenge.”

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Pittsburgh plays the Indianapolis Colts at noon CDT Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The largest margin in a Colts’ game this season has been six points. Indianapolis lost to the Houston Texans 29-27 on Sept. 8 and the Green Bay Packers 16-10 on Sept. 15 before beating the Chicago Bears 21-16 on Sept. 22.

“They know what type of fight we bring,” Harris said. “It’s going to be one of those games again.”

Harris enters Sunday’s game with 209 yards on 55 rushing attempts and seven receptions for 30 yards in the 2024 season.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.