Steelers vs. Colts: What they’re saying in Indianapolis after 30-13 win
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Was that Tom Brady or Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew picking apart Pittsburgh Steelers’ defenders Saturday en route to a fairly easy 30-13 home win at Lucas Oil Stadium?
Minshew looked pretty smooth completing 18 of 28 passes for 215 yards and tossing three touchdowns.
Colts running back Zack Moss was injured early.
Didn’t matter.
Minshew barely had to throw the pass in the second half.
Running backs Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson combined to rush for 157 yards on 28 carries. At one point, the Colts ran the ball 13 plays in a row with success.
Steelers starting safety Damontae Kazee was ejected for a hit on Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman didn’t return.
Didn’t matter.
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The Colts cruised in the second half, holding the Steelers scoreless.
Here’s how sports writers viewed the Colts’ victory.
At one point, the Steelers were leading this game 13-0. But it fell apart quickly.
“With their backs against the wall, down 13-0 and having just given up two touchdowns in 2 minutes and 2 seconds sandwiched around a blocked punt, the Colts marched 75 yards on 7 plays and found the end zone from 16 yards out, with Gardner Minshew swinging a pass into the flat for Zack Moss, who dragged a defender across the goal line despite being horse-collar tackled at the end of the play,” wrote Jared Dubin of CBS Sports.
Win on three. pic.twitter.com/l6DFgoppz4
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 17, 2023
IndyStar writers labeled Kazee’s hit on Pittman as extremely dirty. One headline in the newspaper put it bluntly: Colts mop floor with dirty Steelers.
“It’s the textbook definition of a hit on a defenseless receiver, and it’s emblematic of a player lacking football skills when he can’t make a play on the ball and instead goes for the helmet,” wrote Nate Atkins of the IndyStar. “The Colts have had a time this season with brain injuries. Pittman’s looked serious, as he lay on the ground for minutes after the hit, and though he popped to his feet eventually, the Colts sent him immediately to the locker room rather than messing with the blue tent.”
With the win, the Colts moved to 8-6. They remain in the thick of the playoff race. The Steelers dropped to 7-7 and look like a team that has quit or just can’t muster the strength for a fight.
Minshew’s statistics could have had better stats, but he got the win.
“He should’ve had a better completion percentage but there were a few drops by his receivers, which include a pair that would’ve been touchdowns if his receivers held onto the ball,” wrote Cody Manning of ColtsWire.
Gardner Minshew ➡️ Mo Alie-Cox
The #Colts extend their lead❕#ForTheShoe
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 16, 2023
Defensively, the Colts had three turnovers and held the Steelers to just 216 yards.
“The Steelers entered the game on a two-game losing streak, with the losses coming to the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots. So handily defeating Pittsburgh isn’t sending a message to the league or anything,” wrote Jaleel Grandberry of Horseshoe Heroes website. “However, the statement the Colts made is that they will find a way to win, regardless of the circumstances.”
Remember when beating the Steelers was a big deal?