Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) – Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7): 17-24
It already seems far from the euphoria of Jeff Saturday’s first victory as Colts coach. Monday, Indianapolis logically lost for the second time in a row. The Steelers did the minimum, and took advantage of the fact that Matt Ryan (22/34, 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) and his squad were unable to really shake them up.
Pittsburgh went ahead (17-24) ten minutes from the end thanks to a touchdown from Benny Snell (12 races, 62 yards, 1 TD). Then the defense forced the Colts to a punt, then a miss on 4th&3 to preserve the result. A last offensive marked by a strange management of the clock, since Saturday waited to find himself facing this fourth attempt and with only 30 seconds on the clock to use his first time-out. Ryan had yet taken a sack and made a run on the previous two actions, leaving precious seconds to pass between actions. The coach will have finally brought the other two time-outs back to the locker room with him…
diesel Indianapolis
The Steelers got off to the best start in this match, with two field goals, then a touchdown from Najee Harris (10 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD) to lead 13-0. Another kick even allows them to be ahead 16-3 at the break. Over the minutes, Kenny Pickett (20/28, 174 yards) is calm, lucid in the pocket, and capable of passing good passes.
The blues finally wake up when they return from the locker room thanks to a 90-yard kickoff return from Dallis Flowers. Jonathan Taylor (20 races, 86 yards, 1 TD) takes advantage of the good position to score a few actions later. The Colts seem launched, with a defensive stop and a good progression in stride. But Taylor and Ryan miss their transmission just 1 yard from the end zone! Fumble overlaid by Pittsburgh. This is only a postponement. Michael Pittman (7 rec, 61 yards, 1 TD) scored on the next series to finally put Indianapolis ahead (17-16).
But the Steelers respond immediately. Najee Harris out with abdominal pain, Snell takes over to score and put his team back in front. The score will not move, despite the last two Colts offensives.
With positive matches for Pickett, but also George Pickens or Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh continues to prepare for the future. Conversely, the Colts found a sometimes uncomfortable and poorly protected Ryan, auguring an uncertain future in the game’s most important position.
