Indianapolis Colts (8-6) – Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7): 30-13
Between a coherent Colts team and a Steelers team definitely in doubt, it was logically Indianapolis who won despite a nightmare start to the match. Gardner Minshew (18/28, 215 yards, 3 TD) patiently waited for the right opportunities to make the difference, helped by unexpected assets, such as runners Tyler Goodson (79 yards) and Trey Sermon (88 yards) or the receiver DJ Montgomery (48 yards, 1 TD).
The Indy defense gave the Steelers a bad night, who only had 216 yards and only capitalized on special teams offerings. Mitch Trubisky (16/23, 169 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) seemed helpless, just like Najee Harris (33 yards) who continues to disappoint every week. T
TJ Watt (2 sacks) had his game, but he was alone in a defense that lost the majority of its safeties in this game, and suffered on the ground and in the air. The Steelers also paid for indiscipline with 101 yards of penalties, unacceptable at this level.
With this victory, Indianapolis can believe more than ever in the playoffs, while the Steelers are not coming out of the negative spiral.
The Indianapolis comeback
The game started like a dream for the Steelers, as the Colts continued to have special teams issues. On the first three drives, the Steelers score two touchdowns. The first follows a missed field goal, and is concluded by Mitch Trubisky on the ground. The second follows a blocked punt, and it is Diontae Johnson (62 yards, 1 TD) who takes care of converting the opportunity into points (0-13).
But while nothing seems to be going the way of Shane Steichen's men, the Colts are not giving up. Zack Moss (33 yards, 1 TD) brings the team back to one possession with a powerful touchdown following a pass from Gardner Minshew.
The Steelers doubt again, and Mitchell Trubisky throws a terrible interception for Nick Cross. Indianapolis takes the lead with a touchdown from DJ Montgomery (14-13). The latter replaced Michael Pittman who was out with a concussion, and made up for it after releasing a ball for a ready-made touchdown.
Pittsburgh in distress
The start of the second act confirms a trend: the Steelers can no longer do it in December. Najee Harris commits a fumble at the start of the second half, and the Colts immediately convert with a touchdown from Allie-Cox, before adding a field goal in stride (24-13).
The Colts are in control, and gain time with a drive with 12 consecutive races and a field goal to finish (27-13). Indy controls the score and the clock. The Steelers have plenty of time to come back, but Mitch Trubisky makes sure to consolidate the defeat with another interception for Julian Blackmon, on a much too strong pass. Magnanimous, the Colts missed the field goal to have a 3 possession lead, before finally achieving it at the end of the match (30-13). Checkmate.
