The Indianapolis Colts emerged victorious with a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, led by quarterback Joe Flacco who stepped in for the injured Anthony Richardson and threw two touchdown passes. The Colts, now 2-2, have secured two consecutive wins after starting the season with two losses and maintained a winning streak against Pittsburgh.
Despite trailing 17-0, the Steelers, with a record of 3-1, made a comeback with Justin Fields running for two touchdowns and passing for another to narrow the gap to 27-24 with 3:40 left in the game. However, a crucial turnover on downs in the final minutes sealed their fate as they couldn’t recover from a mishandled snap.
Flacco, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, proved instrumental in securing the victory for the Colts. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 166 yards, guiding the team effectively after Richardson’s departure due to injury. Richardson, who started the game strongly with a 32-yard completion on the first play, was forced to leave the game after being injured twice in quick succession.
Fields showcased an impressive performance for the Steelers, throwing for 312 yards, running for 55 yards, and scoring multiple touchdowns. However, the Colts’ defense managed to contain him, sacking him four times and forcing a crucial turnover.
The game saw both teams dealing with injuries, with players like James Daniels, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Nick Herbig leaving the game for the Steelers due to ankle injuries. On the Colts side, key players like Kenny Moore II, Kwity Paye, and Ryan Kely were absent due to various injuries, with Jonathan Taylor also unable to finish the game due to an ankle injury.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark were among the notable attendees at the game. The Steelers are set to face the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday night, while the Colts will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Overall, the Colts’ resilience and Flacco’s steady performance helped them secure a hard-fought victory over the Steelers, marking their second consecutive win of the season.