NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts

· National Football League
3-1, 2-1 Away
Final
24 - 27
2-2, 2-1 Home

Joe Flacco relieves injured Anthony Richardson and helps Colts hold off Steelers 27-24

McAfee is hyped up for the Colts after win over Steelers

The 39-year-old Flacco threw two touchdown passes, and the Colts got the stop they needed in the final minute to preserve a 27-24 victory over the previously unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

“You just see the guy and hit him. That’s all you do,” Flacco said after going 16 of 26 for 168 yards. “Some guys like to think about every little thing and that’s how they play best. But I think my personality lends itself to this kind of situation. Just don’t overthink it.”

The one-time Super Bowl MVP and a longtime Steelers nemesis during his 11 seasons with Baltimore proved he could still play at a high level last season when he helped the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs. Indy signed Flacco as a free agent to back up the injury-prone Richardson.

Richardson left twice in a span of four plays, initially taking a big hit on his right hip and later after a hard hit to the head, both on designed runs. He went straight to the locker room the second time and was ruled out by the time he returned to the sideline.

Coach Shane Steichen had no immediate update on Richardson or running back Jonathan Taylor, who hurt an ankle in the final minutes.

Flacco continued to build on the momentum from Richardson's fast start and the Colts (2-2) won their second straight overall and second in a row against the Steelers (3-1), who fought back from a 17-0 first-half deficit.

Flacco hooked up with Michael Pittman Jr. six times for 113 yards. He connected with Josh Downs for a 2-yard scoring pass and Drew Ogletree on a 15-yard TD strike to keep Indy ahead. Taylor ran 21 times for 88 yards and scored on Indy's first series.

“He's been out there, a veteran presence,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Flacco. “Obviously, he's played a lot of football, went in there and operated pretty darn good.”

The Steelers' top-ranked defense allowed a season high in points as Pittsburgh's six-game regular-season winning streak ended.

Justin Fields played well again, running for two second-half scores and finding Pat Freiermuth for an 8-yard TD pass on third-and-goal to get within 27-24 with 3:40 to play. But Pittsburgh couldn't recover from a botched snap that resulted in a 12-yard loss on its final possession.

Fields was 22 of 34 for 312 yards and ran 10 times for 55 yards but was but was sacked four times and lost a fumble — one of two Pittsburgh turnovers. George Pickens finished with seven receptions for 113 yards and also lost a fumble.

Fields took the blame for the snap that ruined the final drive.

“After I kick my leg up, I have to be ready for the ball. It's on me,” he said.

Richardson started fast, completing a 32-yard pass on the first play. Taylor's TD run made it 7-0 with 12:01 left in the first quarter. But for the fourth time in his eight career starts, Richardson failed to finish a game.

Flacco threw a 4-yard TD pass to Josh Downs on his fourth play and then helped set up a 33-yard field goal to give the Colts a 17-3 halftime lead.

When the Colts needed Flacco to make plays late, he mostly succeeded.

After Fields scored on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10, Flacco found Ogletree. After Fields again scored, this time on a 2-yard run, to get the Steelers within 24-17 with 11:23 left, Flacco led the Colts on a 10-play, 54-yard drive that took nearly 5 1/2 minutes and resulted in a 33-yard field goal for 27-17 cushion.

Fields answered with TD pass to Freiermuth and when Flacco couldn't get the first down he needed to close it out, Indy's defense got a stop.

“You're never going to get the (practice) reps,” Flacco said. “You're just going through the emotional roller coaster on the sideline, and as the backup quarterback you always try to stay ready and stay clam.”

Injury report Steelers: RG James Daniels, RB Cordarrelle Patterson and LB Nick Herbig all suffered ankle injuries. Patterson was carted to the locker room.

Colts: Played without three starters — CB Kenny Moore II (hip), DE Kwity Paye (quadriceps) and C Ryan Kely (neck).

Star power Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion who attended high school in northwestern Ohio, watched his ex-rival Flacco at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark also attended.

Up next Steelers: Host Dallas next Sunday night.

Colts: At Jacksonville next Sunday.

How can I watch Steelers vs. Colts?

  • TV Channel: Steelers at Colts 2021-22 NFL, week 4 is broadcasted nationally on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket - Paramount+ NFL on CBS 2021 - Try it FREE!.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Steelers vs. Colts on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

IND TD 1st Period 12:01 Jonathan Taylor 2 Yd Run (Matt Gay Kick)
IND TD 1st Period 2:34 Josh Downs 4 Yd pass from Joe Flacco (Matt Gay Kick)
IND FG 2nd Period 12:31 Matt Gay 33 Yd Field Goal
PIT FG 2nd Period 0:00 Chris Boswell 50 Yd Field Goal
PIT TD 3rd Period 2:53 Justin Fields 5 Yd Run (Chris Boswell Kick)
IND TD 4th Period 14:43 Drew Ogletree 15 Yd pass from Joe Flacco (Matt Gay Kick)
PIT TD 4th Period 11:23 Justin Fields 2 Yd Run (Chris Boswell Kick)
IND FG 4th Period 6:03 Matt Gay 35 Yd Field Goal
PIT TD 4th Period 3:40 Pat Freiermuth 8 Yd pass from Justin Fields (Chris Boswell Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/pit.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originPIT https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/ind.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originIND
23 1st Downs 22
11 Passing 1st downs 13
10 Rushing 1st downs 7
2 1st downs from penalties 2
6-13 3rd down efficiency 8-15
0-2 4th down efficiency 0-0
68 Total Plays 64
404 Total Yards 358
5.9 Yards per Play 5.6
11 Total Drives 11
282 Passing 225
22/34 Comp/Att 19/30
7.4 Yards per pass 7.0
0 Interceptions thrown 0
4-30 Sacks-Yards Lost 2-14
122 Rushing 133
30 Rushing Attempts 32
4.1 Yards per rush 4.2
3-4 Red Zone (Made-Att) 3-5
6-53 Penalties 4-38
2 Turnovers 0
2 Fumbles lost 0
0 Interceptions thrown 0
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
31:07 Possession 28:53
Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Anthony Richardson, QB Questionable Mar 31
Jelani Woods, TE Questionable Feb 11
Daniel Scott, S Questionable Feb 11
Samson Ebukam, DE Questionable Feb 11
Michael Pittman Jr., WR Questionable Jan 6
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Ryan Watts, CB Questionable Feb 12
Logan Lee, DT Questionable Feb 12
DeMarvin Leal, DE Questionable Feb 12
Cameron Johnston, P Questionable Feb 12
Troy Fautanu, OT Questionable Feb 12

Game Information

Lucas Oil Stadium

Location: Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 66,376 · Capacity:

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Baltimore 12 5 .706 0 518 361
Pittsburgh 10 7 .588 0 380 347
Cincinnati 9 8 .529 0 472 434
Cleveland 3 14 .176 0 258 435

2024 AFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Houston 10 7 .588 0 372 372
Indianapolis 8 9 .471 0 377 427
Jacksonville 4 13 .235 0 320 435
Tennessee 3 14 .176 0 311 460
Full Standings

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