For the first time since 2008, the Colts got the better of the Pittsburgh Steelers, beating them 30-13 at Lucas Oil Stadium this Saturday.
Trailing 13-0 early in the second quarter, the offense needed a scoring drive to get themselves back into striking distance. They got it largely due to big plays from wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Zack Moss.
On the ensuing seven-play, 75-yard scoring series, Pittman came up with big receptions. The first was a 21-yard reception on second-and-10 at their own 25.
The Colts' hopes would have taken a major hit with a different result. The Colts entered the game with a 38% chance of making the postseason, and their odds would have dropped to 19% with a loss. But the victory boosted their playoff odds to 63%, with a road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons up next, on Dec. 24.
Most encouraging for the Colts was the performance of quarterback Gardner Minshew, who had been on an inconsistent run as of late. He turned in one of his finest performances of the campaign with three touchdown tosses on 18-of-28 passing for 215 yards. But injury concerns loom for Indianapolis, with No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) and running back Zack Moss (arm) leaving the contest with injuries.
Kazee was flagged for unnecessary roughness after he launched his shoulder into Pittman, who was trying to make a diving catch.
Pittman’s teammates immediately surrounded him and some players on both teams took knees as trainers tended to him. He walked off the field after spending a few minutes on the ground. The Colts announced later in the quarter that Pittman had a concussion and would not return.
Pittman, the Colts’ leading receiver, had four catches for 78 yards before the hit, giving him 99 receptions for 1,063 yards this season. He fell four catches short of breaking Marvin Harrison’s franchise record for consecutive games with eight or more receptions (six).
Indianapolis forced three turnovers, two coming off Mitch Trubisky interceptions, but only the fumble resulted in a touchdown. Either way, it was all about momentum for the home team, which recorded its 19th straight game with a takeaway.
Gardner Minshew had himself a night, passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns. The Colts added 170 yards on the ground — despite losing Zack Moss to an injury early in the game — compared to 74 from the Steelers, who still had a rough night through the air. Trubisky, in his third game under center, passed for 164 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. On Pittsburgh's final two drives, the Steelers turned to Mason Rudolph for his first snaps in an NFL game since 2021. The eight Steelers penalties didn't help, as it cost Pittsburgh 101 yards.
Saturday's defeat marked the third straight loss for the Steelers, putting them at 7-7. And right now, that's enough to be eliminated them from the playoffs, as it dropped them to 11th place in the AFC. Indianapolis moved up to seventh at 8-6.
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