The Steelers were unhappy with the officiating and unhappy with the ongoing spate of injuries they continue to suffer, but most of all they were unhappy with themselves after falling behind 17-0 in the first half and coming up short of a comeback win, losing 27-24 to the Colts in Indianapolis.
Joe Flacco came off the bench to lead the Colts after starting quarterback Anthony Richardson was injured on their second possession. Richardson was dominating the Steelers’ defense, leading the Colts on a 70-yard touchdown drive to begin the game and marching them downfield on the way to another score when he was hurt. Flacco completed the drive with a 4-yard scoring pass to Josh Downs. He ended the game 16 of 26 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
The Steelers were plagued by mistakes, including a careless fumble by George Pickens at the Colts’ 4-yard line, numerous penalties, a porous defense, and a devastating 12-yard loss on their final possession, a loss that began with Zach Frazier’s snap off the facemask of quarterback Justin Fields, who had his head turned at the time.
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Coach Mike Tomlin says the poor start was not as big a factor in the loss as the mistakes at the end of the game.
The Steelers couldn’t get the run game going, with the exception of Cordarelle Patterson, who slashed through the Colts defense for 43 yards on six carries (and caught two passes for 19 more yards) before injuring his ankle.
Najee Harris managed just 19 yards on 13 carries. Tomlin says it wasn’t due to the shotgun formation because they were behind.
Tomlin says Flacco coming in to play for the Colts changed the Steelers’ approach, removing their blitz package.
Justin Fields took the blame for the fumbled snap on the final drive, saying Zach Frazier is supposed to snap the ball anytime after the quarterback kicks his leg up, which he did.
Fields says the Steelers’ failure to protect the ball hurt them.
Zach Frazier says the fumbled snap was a killer.
Defensive lineman Cam Heyward says the Steelers just played poorly and couldn’t recover.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth says the Steelers got it together, but too late.
The injury news wasn’t good. In addition to losing Cordarelle Patterson to an ankle injury, the Steelers lost guard James Daniels to an ankle injury. Nick Herbig also injured his ankle, but returned in the second half.
Two AFC North teams won yesterday. Baltimore clouted Buffalo 35-10 and Cincinnati topped Carolina 34-24. The Browns lost to the Raiders, 20-16. The Steelers play the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium this Sunday night.
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