Steelers Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Colts 27-24

INDIANAPOLIS — The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was carved up by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, and Justin Fields and the offense took too long to get going in a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

Fields had both his first boneheaded turnover of the season, and also might have played his overall best game statistically.

The big negative play came in the third quarter, when Fields faced a third and 10 at the Colts 33, with good field position thanks to a long Calvin Austin III punt return. A check down, throwaway or even a short sack would have allowed Chris Boswell to attempt a field goal.

Instead, Fields retreated more than 20 yards, and then fumbled the ball away, giving the Colts good field position. Indianapolis kicker Matt Gay missed the ensuing field goal, but the Fields blunder was one of several that cost the Steelers points.

There was a personal foul by Spencer Anderson for a late hit that pushed them out of field goal range. George Pickens fumbled inside the five-yard line. Minkah Fitzpatrick took a 15-yard penalty for a late hit.

Any of those could have provided the three-point margin that ultimately sunk the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Colts came out strong early, with Anthony Richardson marching them right down the field for a game-opening touchdown. On the second Indy drive, it was more of the same, even after Richardson suffered a hip injury that caused his exit from the game.

The venerable Flacco was unflappable in relief, throwing a touchdown pass on a botched coverage assignment to Josh Downs to make it 14-0. Flacco finished 16 of 26 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and though he was sacked once, most importantly, did not turn the ball over.

The teams traded second quarter field goals to make it 17-3, and Fields’ fumble looked like it would seal things for the home team. Instead, that lit a fire under the Steelers offense. They scored touchdowns on each of their next tree possessions, with Fields running two in himself and hitting Pat Freiermuth for a third to claw back into the game.

Fields finished 17 of 25 for 235 yards, but was sacked for times. He rushed seven times for 35.

The Steelers defense tightened in the second half, but a Flacco touchdown and a 35-yard Gay field goal in the fourth quarter were enough to keep Pittsburgh at bay.

Fields and company had one final shot at victory, but his fourth-down pass with under a minute to play fell incomplete.

The Steelers, now 3-1, will return home to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 5.