The Indianapolis Colts could not capitalize on their goal-to-go opportunities and fell 34-22 Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arcisure Stadium. Indy’s offense missed two chances to plunge into the end zone from short field distance, while its defense allowed Jaylen Warren to lead the game in both rushing and receiving by piling up 188 scrimmage yards.
The Colts held a 3-0 lead for the ensuing kickoff, but it took only one snap for the Steelers to seize control and lean on their defense to keep
Indy out of the end zone. Indy scored on six of its drives but reached the end zone just once, settling for five field goals in a stellar performance from kicker Spencer Shrader. The 27-year-old kicker did his part to vie for AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by demonstrating just how valuable it is to rely on a kicker who feels automatic when deployed onto the field.
The opposing pregame sentiment from DK Metcalf was “He gotta guard me”, which also meant the Colts had to face a Steelers’ offensive unit led by Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren and Metcalf. On the Steelers next offensive snap, Rodgers recognized he was about to absorb a massive hit from Grover Stewart and fired a quick swing pass to Jaylen Warren in the flat, who broke away from rookie linebacker Bryce Boettcher, turned upfield and raced down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown. Metcalf delivered a pair of key blocks downfield to spring Warren for an instant house call to take a lead Pittsburgh would never relinquish. Warren finished with a game-high 101 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns, while adding six receptions for a game-high 87 receiving yards.
Anthony Gould gave Indy an immediate opportunity to respond, returning the ensuing kickoff 56 yards into Steelers territory. The Colts offense could not capitalize on the short field and had to settle again as Shrader drilled a 56-yard FG between the uprights, trimming the deficit to 7-6. After a defensive pass interference penalty on third down against cornerback Charvarius Ward extended the Steelers’ possession near the goal line, Rodgers capped a 17-play march into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Pittsburgh made it difficult for Indy to move the chains, but the Colts converted twice on fourth down during the next drive, including a key quarterback sneak by quarterback Daniel Jones. After three consecutive attempts from Jonathan Taylor were stuffed at the goal line, it was Tyler Warren who punched in a fullback dive on fourth-and-goal to score the lone touchdown for the Colts. It was truly the Warren showcase providing much of the production for both squads. Tyler Warren led the Colts with seven receptions for 83 receiving yards, while adding his second-career rushing touchdown.
The red zone problems followed the stampede into the second half. Indianapolis drove deep into Steelers territory twice, but Taylor was once again stuffed in the backfield and Jones could not find an opening, which forced Steichen to settle for consecutive chip shots to stay within striking distance. Jones completed 24-of-44 pass attempts for 267 passing yards and the eighth-year veteran managed to protect the football against a defense that entered Sunday with eight takeaways — the second-most in the league — but there were moments where his pass felt intended to avoid the turnover.
The rushing attack was non-existent as Taylor was held to 45 rushing yards on 15 carries, forcing Indianapolis to find other ways to move the ball. One of those 15 carries even featured an explosive 20-yard gain, meaning Taylor’s other 14 carries gained a combined 25 rushing yards. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner gave the Colts a slight spark, wrapping around a stunt to sack Rodgers and force a punt. The Colts responded with a promising drive, leaning on Taylor to bounce outside and convert a third-and-2 before breaking loose for the aforementioned 20-yard gain behind the elite run blocking of left guard Quenton Nelson. Once again, the Colts were forced to settle for another field goal from Shrader.
With the game still in the balance, Rodgers extended a crucial possession by escaping the pressure from edge rusher Jaylahn Tuimoloau and found receiver Germaine Bernard near the sideline, who raced into Colts territory for a 25-yard catch-and-run. The Colts were able to force a fourth down, but Jaylen Warren bulldozed his way to convert a fourth-and-2 near the red zone and keep the clock rolling. Faced with third-and-6 midway through the final frame, the Steelers ran a pick concept and Rodgers found Freiermuth wide open on a slant for his second touchdown to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to two possessions. The Colts ran 44 offensive plays inside of Steelers territory, but weren’t able to win the battle in the trenches to punch the ball into the end zone enough. The Steelers needed just 22 offensive plays in Colts territory before taking a pair of knees to seal the victory.
The Colts host the winless Tennessee Titans (0-5) next Sunday inside Lucas Oil Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
