The Steelers slipped out of Lucas Oil Stadium with a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night to move to 2-1 on the season. Shaun Suisham hit a 38-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the game after the Steelers offense drove 60 yards on 9 plays to set up the game winning kick.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 25 of 37 on the night passing for 364 yards and it included an 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace in the first quarter. Wallace finished with 5 catches for 144 yards to lead all wide receivers in the game. Roethlisberger did have an interception on the night and was sacked 3 times and fumbled twice. One of those fumbles was scooped up by Jamal Anderson and returned 47 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers offensive line was pretty bad on the night not only in pass protection, but also opening up holes in the running game. On the night the Steelers only rushed for 67 yards on 28 carries.
The Steelers defense was not without fault as they allowed the Colts to rush for 97 yards on 21 carries. They did however hold the Colts to just 153 yards passing and finally recorded a game changing sack by James Harrison in the 4th quarter of Colts backup quarterback Curtis Painter. Harrison forced a fumble on the sack and Troy Polamalu returned it 16 yards for a Steelers touchdown. Harrison had 7 tackles on the night and played well.
The Steelers secondary played well as a whole as Ike Taylor held Reggie Wayne to just 3 catches for 24 yards. He dodged a bullet late in the game when he was beat by Pierre Garcon on a double move, but Painter was unable to hit the wide open receiver.
Antonio Brown had a nice game that included 4 catches for 75 yards and several big punt returns that provided the Steelers offense great field position. Emmanuel Sanders had a rough night as he had a key early drop and seemed to quite on a route that resulted in the Roethlisberger interception. After the interception Sanders jumped over Joe Lefeged instead of tagging him so he would be down. Lefeged got up and returned the ball 25 yards to the Steelers 25-yard line.
A few other notes:
The Steelers knocked Colts starter Kerry Collins out of the game with a concussion and that was huge. Painter is bad.
Teams are learning to cut Casey Hampton and the Colts did that several times throughout the night. I expect this to continue. It caused Hampton to be worried about it and he was pushed around because of it.
I really thought LaMarr Woodley should have had a much bigger night. He was held in check most of the night.
Ziggy Hood was able to get some push and pressure on the left side.
That was not the same Dallas Clark we have seen in the past. He dropped a few balls and looked hampered by his injury. Certainly not 100%.
The James Farrior and Larry Foote rotation continues.
Dwight Freeney abused Jonathan Scott all night.
Marcus Gilbert did his job on the first sack fumble as he road his man well around the pocket. That one might be on Roethlisberger.
Chris Kemoeatu was getting his knee reportedly looked at early in the game and I would not be surprised if he needs it drained again next week.
Joseph Addai averaged 5.1 yards per carry against Steelers.
Scott had his left ankle wrapped in ice after the game and was seen on crutches. Doug Legursky and Gilbert said they will be fine after the game. We shall see.
Legursky is so much better on the move pulling left and had a nice couple of blocks.
The linemen and tight ends looked late on several snaps making blocks and did not get off the ball well at times.
