Making mistakes will keep even the worst teams in football games.
The Steelers found that out in Indianapolis as they squeaked out a 23-20 victory despite turning the ball over three times in the game.
“You have to bounce back and have a short memory,” Ben Roethlisberger said about the turnovers. “It’s tough because on the sack/fumble, you don’t see the guy coming. The pick, I had a guy open, but just over threw him and that’s how it goes.
In three games so far this season, the Steelers have a -9 turnover differential.
With the game tied 13-13 late in the fourth quarter, the Steelers defense finally registered their first turnover of the season when James Harrison sacked Colts backup quarterback Curtis Painter, forcing a fumble and Troy Polamalu returned the ball 16 yards for a touchdown.
“We just had an open side blitz,” said Harrison. “I got an opportunity to get a one-on-one. He didn’t have any help and I just beat him around the corner.”
“James Harrison made a great play and I had a front row seat to it. I just picked it up,” said Polamalu.
But the defense was unable to stop the Colts on the ensuing drive as they marched 80 yards on 10 plays to tie the game with 2:09 left in the game.
“You knew that they would make a run,” said Ryan Clark. “You knew that they had a lot of pride.”
Shaun Suisham later kicked a 38-yard field goal with four seconds left in the game to improve the Steelers to 2-1 on the season.
“We probably made one or two more plays than they did,” said Mike Tomlin. “That’s usually always the case in close games. We made the necessary plays on offense, defense and special teams.”
The offensive line struggled in the game, including left tackle Jonathan Scott who was totally outmatched by DE Dwight Freeney, getting beat on Ben Roethlisberger’s fumble that resulted in a 47-yard return for a touchdown by the Colts and also getting flagged for holding and illegal formation.
Notes: The Steelers outgained the Colts, 408-241… Right guard Doug Legursky left the game with a left shoulder injury early in the 4th quarter, replaced by Ramon Foster… CB Bryant McFadden and DE Brett Keisel were both inactive for the game… Lucas Oil Stadium will be the host of the 2012 Super Bowl in February
Image Source – (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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