Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger orchestrated a nine-play, 70-yard drive in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to set up a Chris Boswell game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The 20-17 win improves the Steelers’ record to 7-3 on the season, giving Roethlisberger & Co. a significant lead in the AFC North.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell helped his team control the clock and extend drives all throughout the contest, as he totaled 112 yards on 31 touches. Opposite to Bell, the Colts’ backfield combined for just 71 yards on 29 carries (2.45 YPC) against Pittsburgh’s front seven, putting too much weight on quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s shoulders.
The former NC State gunslinger put together yet another inconsistent performance, flashing his arm talent on two 60-plus-yard touchdowns and throwing a costly interception in the final quarter of play. He finished the day having completed 14-of-24 passes for 222 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
With that, we give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.
Top 5 Grades:
DT Cameron Heyward, 92.7 overall grade
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, 83.8 overall grade
DI Stephon Tuitt, 83.7 overall grade
TE Vance McDonald, 83.3 overall grade
T Marcus Gilbert, 83.0 overall grade
Performances of Note:
QB Ben Roethlisberger, 60.4 overall grade
Roethlisberger completed 19 of his 31 passes for 236 yards, including 2 touchdowns, an interception, a throwaway and a dropped pass. Roethlisberger did connect on one deep pass for 44 yards. He only used play action on three of his pass attempts but one was a touchdown pass. Roesthlisberger helped bring the Steelers offense back in the second half to tie and eventually win the game. Roethlisberger had a beautiful pass on a crossing route on a two-point play to knot the game at 17.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, 83.8 overall grade
Smith-Schuster caught all four catchable passes thrown his way for 90 yards including a beautiful reception up the sideline on a contested go route against Pierre Desir. Smith-Schuster had four catches against four different defenders and found success across all areas of the field.
DI Cameron Heyward, 92.7 overall grade
Heyward was an absolute menace on the interior of the defensive line for the Steelers Sunday. Heyward consistently was beating the Colts guards and center in with his pass rush. Heyward finished with four hurries on 24 pass-rushing snaps with an 87.0 pass-rushing grade. He was also great in run defense, forcing himself into the backfield and forcing the running backs to cut out of their intended holes. Heyward had one stop and finished with a 91.3 run-defense grade.
DI Stephon Tuitt, 83.7 overall grade
Tuitt was also great on the interior of the Steelers defensive line against the Colts. Tuitt finished the game with a sack and a hit, offering a 77.3 pass-rushing grade. He also added in three stops in run defense with an 82.8 run-defense grade.
Top 5 Grades:
LB Jon Bostic, 86.4 overall grade
WR Chester Rogers, 85.6 overall grade
Edge Jabaal Sheard, 85.2 overall grade
LB Antonio Morrison, 83.8 overall grade
RB Frank Gore, 80.4 overall grade
Performances of Note:
WR Chester Rogers, 85.6 overall grade
Rogers was the recipient of the biggest play of the game for the Colts. Rogers ran free down the seam on a busted coverage by the Steelers defense, then after the catch made two guys miss and got himself into the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown. He caught all six of his targets for 104 yards and a touchdown. Jacoby Brissett’s passer rating was a perfect 158.3 when targeting Rodgers.
RB Frank Gore, 80.4 overall grade
While his stat line may not look all that outstanding, with only 3.2 yards per carry, Gore made the best out of many badly blocked plays. He consistently cut away from trouble with Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt creating havoc in the interior of the line. Although Gore only finished with 55 rushing yards, 49 of those yards came after contact showing how much he had to do on his own.
LB Jon Bostic, 86.4 overall grade
Bostic was a standout for the Colts defense as he contributed five tackles and an assisted tackle while also producing three stops in run defense. Bostic did yield three receptions into his coverage for 33 yards in the Colts zone coverage defense.
Edge Jabaal Sheard, 85.2 overall grade
Sheard put on a show at home. He produced a QB hit and two hurries rushing the passer while making four run stops in run defense. Sheard was the most impactful player for the Colts defense as he played well throughout the game from his rush end position.
PFF Game Ball: DI Cameron Heyward, 92.7 overall grade
*Grades are subject to change upon review
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