Christmas comes early…
The Indianapolis Colts played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Saturday primetime game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts beat the Steelers 30-13, snapping a streak of 8 consecutive losses to the Steelers. It was the Colts’ first win against the Steelers since the 2008 season when Peyton Manning was the starting quarterback.
The streak…
From 2009 through 2022, the Colts played the Steelers 8 times. What do Kerry Collins, Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck, Scott Tolzien, Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Phillip Rivers, and Matt Ryan all have in common? These Colts starting quarterbacks combined for an astonishing record of 0-8 against the Steelers during that timeframe.
Inauspicious start…
Early in the first quarter, Matt Gay’s 56-yard field goal attempt missed wide left. With 14:53 remaining in the second quarter and the Colts punting from their own 25-yard line, the Steelers blocked Rigoberto Sanchez’s punt recovered by the Steelers on the 1-yard line. The Steelers would score a touchdown two plays later. The usually reliable Colts mascot, Blue, didn’t connect on a single throw in his Allegiant Non-Stop Football Toss.
Offensive awakening…
Down 13-0 early in the second quarter, the Colts began to chip away at the Steelers lead. Garnder Minshew found Michael Pittman, Jr. for a 21-yard pass. Three plays later and on a play that looked doomed to fail, Minshew evaded the Steelers’ pass rush and found Pittman, Jr again for a 42-yard gain to the Steelers’ 7-yard line. The Colts overcame a sack and a false start penalty with Minshew finding Zach Moss for a 16-yard touchdown.
With 44 seconds remaining in the first half, Minshew found D.J. Montgomery for a 34-yard pass to the Steelers 40-yard line. Minshew targeted Alec Pierce on a deep pass ruled incomplete, but a pass interference penalty on Joey Porter, Jr. gave the Colts a first down at the Steelers 14-yard line. Two plays later, Minshew completed a 14-yard pass to Montgomery for a touchdown, giving the Colts a 14-13 lead.
The Colts gained 372 total yards for the game with 170 yards rushing.
What streak??? Hold my beer…
Gardner Minshew performed at a high level even after both Pittman, Jr., and Moss exited the game early due to injuries. In arguably his most efficient performance of the season, Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 215 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers, finally breaking the 8-game losing streak against the Steelers.
Colts’ defense didn’t bend or break…
On the Steelers’ first offensive possession of the second half, Najee Harris ran for a 2-yard gain, but E.J. Speed forced a fumble and Julian Blackmon recovered the ball for the Colts. Harris was initially ruled down by contact. HC Shane Steichen challenged the call, and after replay review, the call was overturned, giving the Colts the ball at the Steelers’ 18-yard line.
The Colts’ defense pestered Mitch Trubisky all game, sacking him four times and forcing two interceptions. The Colts’ defense was also stout against the run, holding the Steelers to only 74 yards rushing.
What’s next???
With three weeks remaining in the regular season, and Saturday’s win against the Steelers, the Colts hold on to the 7th seed in the AFC playoff picture and remain in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth. Kevin Bowen, Morning Radio Talk Show Host on The Wake Up Call w/KB & Andy, and Writer for 107.5 The Fan breaks down the Colts playoff odds and percentages here so please read it.
The Colts (8-6) will travel to Atlanta, GA, to face the Falcons (6-8) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium next Sunday. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A inside of the stadium will be closed.
