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Unnecessary mistakes cost Steelers victory

The Pittsburgh Steelers had to admit defeat to the Indianapolis Colts 24:27 in an exciting game. Avoidable errors, including two fumbles and a botched snap, ruined the Steelers’ hopes at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts started strong, gaining 46 yards on their first two plays. A 32-yard pass from QB Anthony Richardson to WR Michael Pittman Jr. and a 14-yard run from RB Jonathan Taylor put the Colts in good position. Taylor completed the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and the Colts took a 7-0 lead after Matt Gay’s extra point. In total, Indianapolis ran 38 yards on its first drive.

Shortly afterwards, Richardson had to leave the field with an injury, but backup QB Joe Flacco led the Colts to another touchdown. A pass to WR Josh Downs increased the lead to 14-0. The Steelers defense had little to counter it, and the Colts marched 86 yards to a touchdown on a nine-play drive.

The Steelers attempted a 4th-and-1 in their own half on their second drive, but LB Zaire Franklin stopped QB Justin Fields. The Colts recovered at the Pittsburgh 39 and extended their lead to 17-0 with a 39-yard field goal from Gay.

The Steelers put together their best drive of the game, starting at their own 4-yard line and reaching the Indianapolis 15. A 20-yard pass to TE Darnell Washington and some good runs from RB Cordarrelle Patterson put them ahead. But a fumble by WR George Pickens at the Colts’ 5-yard line ended the drive.

At halftime, kicker Chris Boswell cut the lead to 17-3 with a 50-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Steelers were able to cut the lead to 17:10 after a 38-yard pass from Fields to Pickens and a 5-yard touchdown run by Fields.

The connection between Fields and Pickens paid off on the next drive when a 37-yard pass brought the Steelers to the Colts’ 25-yard line. Four plays later, Fields found Freiermuth for an 8-yard touchdown, and after Boswell’s extra point, the score was 27-24 with 3:40 on the clock.

The Steelers defense stopped the Colts and forced them into a three-and-out. After a quick first down, the Steelers started at their own 17-yard line. At the two-minute warning, they had the ball at their own 38-yard line and were only three points behind. But again there were problems at the snap and Fields lost 12 yards. Two plays later, Fields threw an incompletion on fourth down 10 yards, and the Colts secured the 27-24 victory.

The Steelers showed fighting spirit, but their own incompetence and a strong Colts offense prevented them from winning. Indianapolis consistently took advantage of the Steelers’ mistakes and secured the narrow victory. The Steelers are now 3-1 while the Colts are 2-2.

Next week, Pittsburgh faces the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Colts are flying to Jacksonville.

Nicholas Fanselow – September 29, 2024

Quarterback Anthony Richardson #5 Indianapolis Colts had to leave the field due to injury