By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA — After two straight losses, calling this a “must-win” for the Steelers was an understatement. Yet their task was no small one: facing the NFL’s best team, the 7–1 Indianapolis Colts, who came into Acrisure Stadium boasting the league’s top-ranked offense (385.3 yards per game).
But as history often shows, when no one gives the Steelers a chance—that’s when they thrive. And on Sunday afternoon, they did it again, shocking the Colts 27–20 before 66,677 fans and members of the 2005 Super Bowl championship team, honored during Alumni Weekend.
“You know, it was a tough week, but we certainly deserved it based on the last performance. I like the way the guys absorbed it, smiled in the face of it, and prepared and waited for the next opportunity,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “That’s the National Football League, man. You get one opportunity every seven days. Sometimes you’ve got to wear it. We certainly wore it this week. I’m appreciative of their spirit, their efforts, their resolve. Certainly, we weren’t perfect in any of the three phases, but we fought. We did what was necessary. We made plays. So, it’s a big-time win for the collective.”
Just like that ’05 squad, it was the Steelers’ defense that paved the way. After struggling in recent weeks, the unit roared back to life—sacking Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (31-of-50, 342 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) five times and intercepting him three times. They also bottled-up Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, limiting him to just 45 yards on 14 carries.
“Can’t say enough about the defense’s effort to minimize the runner,” said Tomlin. “I don’t think you slow that group down unless you minimize the runner, and we were able to do that. I think that’s why we were able to get them in some one-dimensional circumstances, create some pressure, create some sacks and the turnovers that go with that. It started with minimizing their dynamic runner. He is that. He’s dynamic.”
Linebacker Alex Highsmith led the way with two sacks, while T.J. Watt added one of his own, along with a forced fumble and recovery. Linebackers Payton Wilson and Jack Sawyer, along with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., each recorded an interception.
“It’s a fine line between drinking wine and squashing grapes in this business. It’s nothing dramatic, you know. It’s really not. And that’s why we respect it so much,” said Tomlin. “Couple plays here and there might have been different last week. We don’t give up a 59-yard ball and a 33-yard ball. We don’t let them convert on fourth and one in the flat, for example, in the third quarter. That’s football at this level. It’s a limited number of plays or sequences that can really change the trajectory of an outcome. We’re still the same group that stunk it up last week. That’s football.”
Offensively, the Steelers weren’t flashy, but they were efficient. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (25-of-35, 203 yards, 1 TD) guided the offense to five scoring drives, connecting with tight end Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown and handing off to Jaylen Warren, who ran for two more scores (16 carries, 31 yards). Kicker Chris Boswell added two key field goals.
“I thought we started slow on offense. We took the ball to get the ball away from their dynamic offense. We didn’t do much with it there early. Again, it didn’t overcome us,” remarked Tomlin. “We stayed in the fight. The defense provided some short fields. We caught some momentum because of it. That’s team football.”
With the win, Pittsburgh improved to 5–3 and regained momentum heading into a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers (6–3) at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers are coming off a 27–20 victory over the Tennessee Titans (1–8).
“We’ll keep writing the story. We responded today. See you next week,” Tomlin commented.
Notes: Tomlin acknowledged the 2005 team: “You know, first, I just got to acknowledge that ’05 team. It was really good to see them. It’s really good to perform for them this weekend. They are deserving of that. I know a lot of those men and worked with a lot of those men. They’re a special group. I hope that they had a great, great time, fellowshipping and reminiscing and doing the things that come with this type of weekend.”
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