Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt, 90, and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, 99, pass during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15 years old) throws. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indianapolis Colts needed Joe Flacco to relieve injured Anthony Richardson, the 17-year veteran responded simply.
Flacco, 39, threw two touchdown passes and got the stop the Colts needed in the final moments to preserve a 27-24 victory over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. .
“You just look at the guy and hit him. That’s all you have to do,” Flacco said after going 16-of-26 for 168 yards. “Some players like to think about every little thing, and that’s how they play best. But I think my personality suits this situation. Just don’t overthink it. .”
The one-time Super Bowl MVP and longtime Steelers nemesis during his 11 seasons in Baltimore proved he can still play at a high level by helping the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs last season. Indy signed Flacco as a free agent to support the injury-prone Richardson.
Richardson was ejected twice in a span of four plays, first after receiving a large contusion to his right hip and then a hard hit to the head, both times on scheduled runs. The second time, he went straight to the locker room, but by the time he returned to the sideline, he was ejected.
Coach Shane Steichen did not immediately provide an update on Richardson or running back Jonathan Taylor, who injured his ankle in the final minutes.
Flacco built on 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 halftime deficit. .
Flacco hooked up with Michael Pittman Jr. six times for 113 yards. He connected with Josh Downs on a 2-yard scoring pass, and Drew Ogletree had a 15-yard TD strike to put Indy ahead. Taylor ran 21 times for 88 yards and a score on Indy’s first series.
“He’s been there a long time and is a veteran presence,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Flacco. “Obviously, he played a lot of football and went in there and performed pretty well.”
The Steelers’ top-ranked defense allowed the most points of the season, and Pittsburgh’s regular season winning streak ended at six.
Justin Fields played well again, scoring twice in the second half, and Pat Freiermuth completed an 8-yard TD pass on third-and-goal to get within 27-24 with 3:40 left. However, Pittsburgh could not recover from the botched snap, resulting 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 sacked four times and lost a fumble (one of Pittsburgh’s two turnovers). ). George Pickens had seven receptions for 113 yards and also lost a fumble.
Fields was responsible for the snap that ruined the final drive.
“Once I kick my legs up, I have to get ready for the ball. That’s my responsibility,” he said.
Richardson got off to a fast start, completing a 32-yard pass on his first play. Taylor’s TD run made it 7-0 with 12:01 left in the first quarter. However, this is the fourth time in eight games of his career that Richardson has not started.
Flacco threw a 4-yard TD pass to Josh Downs on the fourth play, then helped set up a 33-yard field goal, giving the Colts a 17-3 lead at halftime.
When the Colts needed Flacco to play late, he almost 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 scored again, this time on a 2-yard run with 11:23 left to bring the Steelers within 24-17, Flacco led the Colts on a 10-play, 54-yard drive that took nearly 5 1/2 minutes. did. The result was a 33-yard field goal and a 27-17 victory.
Fields responded with a TD pass to Freiermuth, and Indy’s defense made a stop when Flacco couldn’t get the first down he needed for the shutout.
“You’re never going to get those (practice) reps,” Flacco said. “You’re just going through a roller coaster of emotions on the sideline. As a backup quarterback, you always try to stay prepared and calm.”
Reporting an injury
Steelers: RG James Daniels, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, and LB Nick Herbig suffered ankle injuries. Patterson was taken to the locker room.
Colts: Played without three starters: CB Kenny Moore II (hip), DE Kwity Paye (quadriceps), and C Ryan Kelly (neck).
star power
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who attended high school in northwest Ohio and won two Super Bowls, watched his former rival Flacco at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was also in attendance.
to the next
Steelers: Host Dallas next Sunday night.
Colts: At Jacksonville next Sunday.
