Steelers – Colts (28-24): Pittsburgh regains its football and secures the AFC North | Touchdown Actu (NFL Actu)

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) – Indianapolis Colts (10-5): 28-24

Pittsburgh is again! On a 3-recreation shedding streak after successful their first eleven video games of the season, the Steelers regained their style for victory with a giant second half, wherein they fully turned the tide. Ben Roethlisberger (34/49 passing, 342 YDS, 3 TD) triggered Big Ben mode after the break to information his workforce’s comeback towards a stable Colts workforce. It’s official, the AFC North is for Pittsburgh.

Colts roll, Steelers roll

The first half is a abstract of the type of the two groups over the final three weeks. Pittsburgh facet, the assault is kind of merely at a standstill. Ben Roethlisberger is in the tough, the racing recreation is nonexistent and nobody appears able to bringing a bit insanity into it. At the Colts? It’s fairly the reverse. The floor recreation weighs underneath the impetus of Jonathan Taylor (18 races, 74 YDS, 2 TD) and Philip Rivers (22/35, 270 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 misplaced fumble) continues on its present good momentum in distributing the ball properly, thus giving a pleasant offensive steadiness to Indianapolis.

This clear domination is mirrored on the scoreboard. On their first drive of the recreation, the Colts cowl 70 yards in simply 9 video games and rating a primary landing by Taylor. The latter discovered the finish zone a second time after a giant sequence of 12 video games and 85 yards, then Rivers despatched a 42-yard bomb to Zach Pascal (3 REC, 64 YDS, 1 TD) for a 3rd landing. The addition might have been even saltier with out this defensive huge play from Pittsburgh at the begin of the second quarter: a sack-fumble from TJ Watt recovered by Mike Hilton, permitting James Conner (5 races, 20 YDS, 1 TD, 5 REC, 45 YDS) to attain behind. But at 7-21 at the break, the Colts are clearly answerable for the recreation.

Diontae Johnson sounds the revolt

Can we actually count on a response from Pittsburgh given the degree of play displayed for a couple of weeks? Not actually, particularly since the begin of the second half doesn’t flip to the benefit of the Steelers. After a Colts subject objective, Mike Tomlin’s males failed 4 occasions when it was essential to conclude very near the opposing finish zone. In quick, it smells of scorch. But one motion will fully revive Pittsburgh.

Three minutes from the finish of the third quarter, Ben Roethlisberger sends a 39-yard go to Diontae Johnson (8 REC, 75 YDS, 1 TD), who does the relaxation. This is the huge play the Steelers wanted. The Pittsburgh protection instantly surfs the wave by making life tough for Philip Rivers, whereas that of Indianapolis connects the penalties. As a consequence, the Steelers shortly discovered themselves in place to attain once more, which they did by means of a go from Big Ben to Eric Ebron (5 REC, 47 YDS, 1 TD) (21-24).

The Colts unable to cease the bleeding

Clearly the momentum is on the Pittsburgh facet and nothing appears to have the ability to cease the males in black and yellow. A brand new defensive cease permits the Steelers to reclaim the leather-based, and their racing recreation is awakening. The duo Ben Roethlisberger – James Conner advances Pitt, then JuJu Smith-Schuster (9 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD) makes the distinction by capturing a landing from 25 yards. So that is three consecutive drives concluded with an aerial landing, and Pittsburgh takes the benefit for the first time in the match (28-24).

Can Philip Rivers lead his individuals in the cash time? The Colts quarterback has two alternatives to revive the benefit to his workforce. The first flies shortly when Rivers is intercepted by Mike Hilton. The second, after a cease of its protection, has an extended lifespan however the result’s the similar. Indianapolis returns the ball to the opponent on an unconverted fourth down between Rivers and Zach Pascal. Pittsburgh’s comeback is validated!