The game began with a 32-yard completion, and from that point, the Indianapolis Colts took control.
In front of a capacity crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, handing them their first loss of the season.
In general, this game was defined by numerous mistakes and miscues on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Steelers accounted for multiple turnovers and allowed four sacks, including a 22-yard sack fumble on quarterback Justin Fields. The defense had few answers for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in the first quarter, as they blazed to a 14-0 lead. Richardson left the game after taking a hit from safety DeShon Elliott, but veteran Joe Flacco continued picking apart the Steelers’ secondary in his absence.
In the second half, the Steelers battled back, scoring 14 points off touchdowns by Fields. Yet, on the ensuing drive, Flacco took it the length of the field, ultimately resulting in a field goal to extend the lead to 10. Fields responded in a big way, engineering a 7-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to cut the Colts’ lead to just three.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, the offense came in with 3:45 remaining to try and tie or win the game. Ultimately, a costly fumble would be their undoing as the Steelers failed to convert on 4th down, giving the Colts the win.
Despite the disastrous fumble in the third quarter, Fields rebounded in a big way and carried the offense on his back. He finished the game with 367 total yards and two rushing touchdowns. Receiver George Pickens had his best game of the season with 113 yards on seven receptions, and tight end Pat Freiermuth contributed 57 receiving yards on five receptions and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
On defense, veteran Cameron Heyward led the way with a sack, six tackles, and three quarterback hits. Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi contributed a shared sack and six tackles. In the secondary, safety DeShon Elliott was the workhorse with 12 tackles. The biggest story was All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt, who was given special attention by the Colts in Alex Highsmith’s absence and finished with just two tackles.
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