After a devastating three weeks, Steelers nation can finally stop holding their breath. The Steelers would dismantle their three-game losing streak in a poetic comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Heinz Field. In the process, Pittsburgh would become AFC North champions for the first time since 2017!
However, the Steelers had no piece of cake type road to get there. The Steelers would go from being 11-0, the only undefeated team in the league in Week 12, to losing three games in a row. After taking their third beating from the Cincinnati Bengals and still facing the brunt of not having a midseason bye week, Pittsburgh would arrive at the Colts matchup on their last limb.
In contrast, the Colts would enter into the meeting on a completely opposite note. Indianapolis was coming off of a lofty 3-game win streak and a full tank. Thanks to the 2020 draft, Colts had gained a power source on offense in running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor not only rushed for 83 yards in last week’s win over the Texans but also had 80+ yards in each of the Colts last three wins all together.
Quarterback Philip Rivers, who had finished the past three straight games with a 115+ rating, would be another potential problem for Pittsburg.
As for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, things hadn’t been looking up. Roethlisberger was in desperate need of a cure as he ushered in a sub-90 rating for five straight games, even throwing for one interception in each of the five. His offense had been no help, allowing for three turnovers and going 4 for 16 on 3rddown in last week’s loss against the Bengals.
With an energetic stream of blue and white waiting for them at Heinz Field, Steelers were praying to wake up out of whatever nightmare they had found themselves in and to do it fast.
Pittsburgh would get off to a poor start, being held to a 3 & out on the opening drive of the game, forfeiting possession to their opponents. Indianapolis would, however, get off to a hot start using a near five-minute opening drive to pick up 70 and the first touchdown of the game in a rush from RB Taylor.
The Steelers, however, would soon respond. On Colts 3rddrive of the game, the NFL sack leaders, in the form of a black and yellow defense, would give Philip Rivers a collective greeting. After Rivers was affectionately stripped of the ball, it would be Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton on the recovery. Hilton, who ranks in the league’s top 15 for interceptions, would offer his team amazing field position and an opportunity to tie the game at 7.
After a nerve-wracking three-play drive, PA native James Conner would lower his head & lunge into the end zone, his team’s first TD to put Pittsburgh on the board to start the 2ndquarter!
Indianapolis would answer using all of 7 minutes, 12 plays, and 85 yards before finding the end zone to regain the lead 14-7. At 5’10 226 lbs., Taylor would use his muscular frame to dodge not one, not two, but three defenders to pick up the TD!
Unfortunately for the Steelers, the Colts weren’t letting up anytime soon. On 2nd& 9 at the Pittsburgh 42, Rivers would release a jet and let it fly…for 42-yards to connect to a wide-open Zach Pascal right into the end zone! Not only would Rivers tack on his team’s 3rdTD of the game, but in the same moment would also tie Dan Marino’s record with 420 touchdown passes!
Colts would go into intermission up 21-7, leaving Steelers with a tall task to dig deep and find the 11-0 team they once were. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin would use the locker room to remind his team of their DNA… and they clearly got the message.
The black and white defense would hold the Colts to a field goal to open the 2ndhalf, issuing Rivers a warm embrace on 3rd& 3. Rodrigo Blankenship would be good from 28 to add 3 to the Colts a 24-7 lead. However, this would be the Colts final good fortune as the Steelers were stirring for revival.
The Steelers defense would start success, holding Colts to 3 & out, and the offense would finish it. After a 40-yard punt from Rigoberto Sanchez and an 8-yard return from Pittsburgh wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, Steelers would find themselves at a favorable Indianapolis 39.
In just one play and seven seconds, Roethlisberger would crank up his offense full throttle. Big Ben would shoot out a deep strike to wide receiver Diontae Johnson like a cannon. Johnson would make the tremendous 39-yard catch to his chest into the end zone despite defensive pressure for his 7thTD of the season! At 24-14, Steelers were slowly crawling out of the hole they had dug themselves into in the first half.
Pittsburgh would score back to back touchdowns on their following drives. The first would come after two passing interference calls and two crucial completions that would aid in getting the Steelers into the red zone to begin the 4thquarter. Tight end Eric Ebron would finish the job after receiving the 5-yard pass, spinning into the end zone with ease for his team’s 3rdTD of the game. Ebron, clearly thrilled, would finish off his 5thTD reception with a wave to the Colts’ bench as if to say, “Hi, we’re back!”
The second touchdown would be the conclusion of a 4-minute ten play 84-yard drive containing both the passing and the run game. A 25-yard dart to Juju Smith-Schuster would give the Steelers their first lead of the game at 28-21, a lead they would maintain until the clock read 0:00.
With only six minutes left of play, the black and yellow defense would strike again, and again it would be the former Ole Miss Rebel Mike Hilton with the interception! The Steelers could just taste the win and refused to let it get away.
On 4thdown with just over a minute left on the clock, and evidently, defense rattled, Phillip Rivers would release a poor pass to an open Pascal, denying his team a win and finalizing the Steelers much earned victory.
When questioned on what 2ndhalf changes his team made, Tomlin stated, “There’s a fine line between drinking wine & squashing grapes.” In these words, the Pittsburgh commander said it best. The Steelers spent the entire second half indulging in no doubt the very finest Pinot Noir as they made every sip (play) count.
The Steelers had done what they needed to do at Heinz Field, not only earning themselves the AFC North crown in a dramatic comeback win but also securing home-field advantage going into the playoffs.
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