FULL BOX SCORE

Michael Baca’s takeaways:

Steelers defense answered bell vs. Colts. There have been plenty of questions and complaints filed in the Pittsburgh area about the state of the defense. Going up against the league’s top offense, the Steelers D notched a performance that might quell those worries. Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher through Week 8, was held to a season-low 57 scrimmage yards (45 rushing, 12 receiving) and keeping the running back in check was the impetus to Pittsburgh’s defensive triumph. T.J. Watt’s strip-sack early in the second quarter began Indy’s downfall and Payton Wilson interception on its following possession turned the tide as the Steelers earned 14 points off those first-half turnovers and gained a lead they would not squander thanks to an astounding six takeaways. Two big plays in the second half extended that lead, as Wilson tipped a pass that fell into Jack Sawyer’s hands for a pick in the third quarter and Alex Highsmith found a strip-sack in the final frame. Joey Porter Jr.’s INT with less than three minutes to play sealed the win. Once the Colts were influenced into a pass-happy offense, the Steelers’ pass rush pinned its ears back and dominated with five sacks and 18 QB pressures. Sunday’s performance by the Steelers D was more about who they looked good against, and it was certainly needed while the offense mustered just 225 total yards. Jones sees first major blip along resurgent season. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones came into Week 9 with only three turnovers while leading the league’s No. 1 offense. He more than doubled that total on Sunday in Pittsburgh, resulting in Indianapolis’ worst defeat of the season. The Colts began the game appearing to continue their offensive supremacy, seamlessly marching to the end zone on a 13-play, 79-yard drive. But with Pittsburgh keyed in on stopping the run, Jones was tasked with leading the charge through the air and it seemingly played into the Steelers’ plan. Jones’ mistake-laden day was heavily influenced by the Colts’ protection struggles but errant throws rued his day, with two of his three INTs falling squarely on the QB. Jones finished 31-of-50 passing for 342 yards with five total turnovers (three INTs, two fumbles) and a 63.9 QB rating, by far his lowest of the season (had 100-plus passer rating in seven of first eight games). Josh Downs’ muffed punt in the first quarter brought Indy’s giveaway total to six on the day. Perhaps it will end up being a mere wake-up call for Jones and Co., but the Colts will have to soak in a stinker during a long plane ride to Berlin ahead of next Sunday’s game before getting a chance to reset and recharge for the season’s final stretch after a Week 11 bye. Steelers offense still looking for rhythm. A great defensive performance was necessary considering the Steelers offense is still searching for consistency. Aaron Rodgers struggled to connect with his receivers in the early going as Pittsburgh notched two three-and-outs and a turnover on downs in the red zone on its first three possessions. It could have spelled doom for Pittsburgh, but the offense did feed off the defense’s stellar afternoon, scoring 24 points off turnovers. There wasn’t a standout performance out of the Steelers offense aside from possibly Rodgers, who completed 25 of 35 passes for 203 yards (one TD, no turnovers) and piloted a relatively mistake-free offense. But the Steelers were greatly limited to a short-passing attack their 41-year-old QB efficiently dispersed as the ground game (38 yards) was continuously stuffed and the deep passing attack was non-existent (zero completions over 20 yards). DK Metcalf was held to two receptions for 6 yards (both season-lows) and Jaylen Warren was held to a 1.9-per-yard average on 16 carries. Pittsburgh’s defensive effort on Sunday might have quelled some worry, but the offense didn’t exactly breathe any confidence at the season’s midway point. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Colts-Steelers (via NFL Pro): Aaron Rodgers averaged just 2.7 air yards per attempt, the third-fewest by a quarterback in a game this season. On passes under 10 air yards, he completed 24 of his 32 attempts for 191 yards and one touchdown, his most passing yards on such attempts in a game this season. Rodgers attempted only three passes over 10 air yards, completing just one for 12 yards.

NFL Research: The Colts are the first team since at least 1950 to have two more turnovers in a game than they had in the entire season entering that game (in Week 8 or later).