Nothing cheers up Pittsburgh Steelers fans like watching the defense force turnovers. Even better is to get four before the Acrisure Stadium DJ spins Renegade in the fourth quarter and then squeeze in another two afterwards.
Of course, Steelers fans had nearly forgotten that feeling. The Steelers didn’t force a single turnover in October. It’s a big reason why the team went 1-2 last month, and the tailgaters outside the stadium held a funeral for the defense before the game.
Considering the Indianapolis Colts had just four giveaways coming into the game, the fact that Pittsburgh forced six turnovers was a welcome surprise for Steelers fans. But it was a necessary one, because it was the only crucial statistic in which the Steelers had an advantage over the Colts.
Pittsburgh Steelers relied on turnovers to survive another uneven effort
The Steelers were outgained 368 to 225. Naturally, the turnovers had something to do with that. Pittsburgh started three drives in Colts’ territory, two of which were in the redzone.
Still, the Colts were more efficient. They averaged more yards per play regardless of the method. Overall, they averaged 5.0 yards per play to Pittsburgh’s 3.7. The Steelers didn’t even average five yards per play through the air.
Further to the Colts’ efficiency, they converted six of their 14 third-downs and converted all five of their fourth-down attempts. It’s no wonder that with their extended offensive drives, the Colts also won the time of possession battle and came away with fewer penalties.
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While Steelers fans are more than happy to beat the top team in the AFC at the midpoint of the season after suffering back-to-back losses, it’s no less frustrating to see the team build a 17-point lead and watch it dwindle when the defense wasn't forcing turnovers. The Colts were only forced to punt twice, and while one of those punts ended in a turnover, every other Colts drive ended in a score for Indianapolis or a turnover for the Steelers' defense.
It’s hard to lose when you force six turnovers, and yet, the Steelers only won by a single touchdown’s difference. And if that sounds nitpicky, it is. In the first quarter, the Steelers were gifted a red-zone possession and squandered it. Before that, they went three-and-out on their first two drives.
Throughout the game, Pittsburgh went three-and-out or worse six times, including four standard three-and-outs, the red-zone four-and-out, and the two-play drive that ended with Roman Wilson's fumble. It does not include the five-play drive that also ended in a punt in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense allowed 130 yards and a touchdown on 17 plays over two drives before T.J. Watt’s strip-sack. It took the mounting turnovers for Pittsburgh to take control of the game, and frankly, it took all six to win it. After Wilson’s late, unnecessary fumble, the Colts had time to bring the game within reach until Joey Porter Jr. sealed the win with his interception.
But this is the result when the plan of action pays off. The Steelers bent defensively, but didn’t break nearly as much as they broke the opposition. The offense wasn’t dazzling, but they scored when they were set up well, save for one instance. When it works, it’s a beautiful, acceptable thing. And when it doesn’t, well, we still have October fresh on our minds.