PITTSBURGH — The Steelers looked more like the 20th-anniversary Super Bowl XL team they honored Sunday than the team that had allowed 175 points through seven games this season.
The Steelers forced six Indianapolis Colts turnovers, piled up five sacks, limited running back Jonathan Taylor to a season-low 45 rushing yards and held head coach Shane Steichen’s once-humming offense to only two touchdowns in a 27-20 win. The turnovers were two more than Daniel Jones and Co. had recorded all fall.
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The Colts (7-2) entered Acrisure Stadium averaging the most points per game (33.8) and yards per play (6.5) in the NFL. Although they ultimately combusted, they preyed on a previously-reeling Steelers defense in the first quarter.
While Pittsburgh (5-3) netted a measly 9 yards in 10 plays across its first three drives, most notably failing to score after recovering Josh Downs’ muffed punt return at the Colts’ 11-yard line, Indianapolis picked apart an injured Steelers secondary early.
Jones dialed up an 18-yard pass to Alec Pierce on third-and-11 and then found his deep threat again for a 36-yard gain on a hole shot. Jones capped the drive with a fourth-and-goal sneak from the doorstep of the end zone.
The Colts opted for a fake punt at their own 25-yard-line on their next drive, and like most things they had done this season, it worked, with safety Rodney Thomas II surging forward to move the chains.
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T.J. Watt stopped the bleeding for the Steelers by forcing a turnover three and a half minutes into the second quarter.
Watt ripped past Indianapolis right tackle Braden Smith, swatted the ball out of Jones’ grasp and recovered it at the Steelers’ 44-yard line. The six-time All-Pro’s strip sack caused Terrible Towels to swing, as well as the momentum.
Pittsburgh proceeded to record its first of two straight first-half touchdowns off Colts turnovers. Running back Jaylen Warren found the end zone on the ground for the first time all season. Then, after linebacker Payton Wilson picked off Jones over the middle on Indianapolis’ subsequent possession, Aaron Rodgers fired a pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth, who caught it and turned for a 12-yard score.
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Chris Boswell tacked on a 25-yard field goal before the break to give the Steelers a 17-7 lead.
An Alex Highsmith sack threw a wrench in the Colts’ first drive of the second half. Staying on schedule became a consistent issue for Indianapolis, who averaged a league-high 7.2 yards on first down over its past eight games.
Indianapolis appeared to be improving in that department later in the third quarter on a drive that also saw the Colts convert their fifth fourth-down of the game. But another giveaway in Steelers territory derailed the series.
On second-and-1 from the Pittsburgh 35-yard line, Jones tried to whip a pass to wideout Michael Pittman. Before the ball could get there, it was deflected by Wilson and intercepted by rookie Jack Sawyer.
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Rodgers went back to work, stringing together completion after completion. His ninth straight went to tight end Darnell Washington and set up another Warren rushing touchdown that made it 24-7.
A Colts field goal cut their deficit to two scores early in the fourth quarter. But the Steelers’ fifth takeaway, courtesy of a Highsmith strip sack, paved the way for a 46-yard Boswell field goal that restored Pittsburgh’s 17-point advantage.
Even so, there was a little bit of drama late in the Steel City.
After Downs reeled in a 4-yard touchdown reception, Steelers receiver Roman Wilson fumbled while trying to gain a few more yards with a hurdle.
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But Jones’ third interception of the day effectively killed Indianapolis’ comeback chances. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. nabbed the pick, fittingly in front a Steelers’ 2005 defense that included his father.