It started out great for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
Up 13-0 at one point, the tables turned rather quickly in Indianapolis, and it wasn't in Pittsburgh's favor.
Here are the plays that had affected the outcome the most:
Now ruled a TD. #Steelers #Herewego https://t.co/w2AnIiUbyH
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
There was no need to get more bodies behind Trubsiky (The Eastern PA version of a sneak), as the Steelers opened up the scoring with a traditional QB sneak.
After a quick review, the play was overturned and ruled a Steelers TD despite the fumble from Trubisky.
A look at the punt block by Connor Heyward and recovery by Nick Herbig #Steelers #Herewego pic.twitter.com/77qe884GJd
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
It's now two weeks in a row that the Steelers' special items had forced a blocked punt, proving that the often overlooked yet essential third part of team football is a critical part of success when you see what happened next:
For the third week in a row, Mitch Trubisky finds Diontae Johnson for a TD. #Steelers #Herewego pic.twitter.com/0F0mn5YXqC
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
Despite the struggles of the offense and Mitch Trubsiky in particular, the backup QB and Diontae Johnson have managed to get on the same page when it comes to scoring TDs for three weeks in a row.
Mykal Walker continues to be a point of emphasis for opposing offenses. Struggling mightily in coverage. #Steelers #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/2ywBCcP3RC
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
Pittsburgh has desperately missed Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander since they were both lost with season-ending injuries.
That only continued on Saturday, with the Colts taking obvious advantage of their attrition at the second level.
A look at the hit from Damontae Kazee on Michael Pittman Jr. Kazee was ejected for the hit. #Steelers #Colts pic.twitter.com/ilAQui7OvF
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. was ruled out after this hit when being placed into concussion protocol, as the Steelers lost their starting strong safety due to ejection, before a Minkah Fitzpatrick knee injury that rendered him unable to return.
#Colts take the lead on the throw from Minshew to Montgomery. The #Steelers second level has been Swiss cheese for weeks now and Indy showed it on that drive. pic.twitter.com/I3glmTr30N
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
The Colts struck gold once again after working the middle of the field, this time by attacking Elandon Roberts and taking the lead just before halftime on a dumpoff from Minshew.
A look at the TD that puts the #Steelers down 8 pic.twitter.com/9N3CoAUaj8
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
The biggest beneficiaries of the Steelers' injuries at the LB position have been opposing Tight ends as Pittsburgh has let up at least one TD to the big pass catchers for three weeks in a row.
The Mitch Trubisky interception that sealed his fate against the #Colts. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/X2eBtmlwUW
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 17, 2023
After all but sealing his fate as a Pittsburgh Steeler, the team turned to Mason Rudolph to see if they could salvage anything, but it was too little too late as the Steelers had already dug their grave against the Colts.
Pittsburgh is down to a mere 12% chance at making the playoffs following the loss in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh's thrid in a row.
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