The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a much-needed win Sunday, taking down the NFL’s hottest team in the Indianapolis Colts, who came in with a 7-1 record and the league’s top scoring offense. The Colts had been lighting up defenses all year, but the Steelers finally answered the call.
After weeks of struggles, Pittsburgh’s defense showed up in a big way, holding Indianapolis to just 20 points while forcing six turnovers and recording five sacks. It was their most complete effort of the season and a reminder of what this group can be when everything clicks.
The 27-20 victory snapped a two-game losing streak and could be the momentum shift the Steelers have been waiting for. With the defense leading the charge, here are three game balls from Sunday’s win.
3 players who earned game balls in Pittsburgh’s 27-20 win over the Colts
Game ball #1: Payton Wilson
The first game ball goes to Payton Wilson, who arguably had the best game of his NFL career. After the Steelers tied the game with a touchdown, Wilson came up huge on the very next series, intercepting a pass from Daniel Jones. That turnover set up the Steelers offense to score and gave Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.
Later, in the third quarter, Wilson applied pressure on Jones and tipped a pass that Jack Sawyer came down with for another interception, setting up yet another Steelers touchdown. Wilson finished the game as the team’s leading tackler with 14 total tackles, adding two passes deflected and one interception.
Game ball #2: Alex Highsmith
Alex Highsmith earns the second game ball after another huge performance for the Steelers' defense. Midway through the fourth quarter, with Pittsburgh leading 24-10, Highsmith delivered his second sack of the game, a strip sack that Derrick Harmon recovered. Highsmith finished the game with two sacks and a key pass breakup in the second quarter that forced a punt for the Steelers to get points before the half.
Game ball# 3: TJ Watt
With the Colts up 7 -0 and driving down the field for what looked like another scoring drive, the Steelers' defense finally made a big play. TJ Watt got home with a strip sack and recovered the fumble himself. That turnover became the turning point of the game, as the Steelers' offense had struggled to move the ball up to that point. Taking advantage of the opportunity, they scored a touchdown to tie the game and shift the momentum in their favor.
Watt's play is what kicked the defense into high gear, allowing the Steelers to come away with the huge upset.