Ben Roethlisberger Throws For Over 500 Yards As Pittsburgh Steelers Defeat Colts
By Brett Tunno
A day after an offensive college football shootout between Georgia Tech and Pitt, Ben Roethlisberger’s Pittsburgh Steelers and Andrew Luck’s Indianapolis Colts decided to air it out.
Roethlisberger completed 40 of 49 passes for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Andrew Luck completed 26 of 45 passes for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. The 907 passing yards were second most ever (Detroit and Green Bay put up 971 yards in 2012).
Big Ben set Steelers franchise records for yards passing and passing touchdowns; his yardage total was the fourth highest in NFL history, and he won his 100th game as a Pittsburgh Steeler. He became the first player in the history of the NFL to go over 500 yards passing twice, as the Steelers (5-3) routed the Colts (5-3) 51-34.
The Colts opened up the scoring with an Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal. Big Ben countered with an 18 yard touchdown pass to Marcus Wheaton to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead.
In the beginning of the second quarter, Roethlisberger connected with rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant for a 5 yard touchdown. On Indianapolis’ next drive, Luck was intercepted by cornerback William Gay and Gay returned it 33 yards for the pick six, giving the Steelers a 21-3 advantage.
Luck responded with a 21 yard touchdown pass to tight end Dwayne Allen, but Big Ben countered with a 8 yard strike to Antonio Brown, making it 28-10 Steelers.
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back
Antwon Blake(41) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
T.Y. Hilton(13) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
After a Colts three-and-out, Ben connected again with Antonio Brown on a 47 yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 35-10. On the Colts next drive, Luck hooked up with T.Y. Hilton for a 28 yard touchdown. Vinatieri knocked down a 23-yard field goal to cut the Steelers lead to 35-20 at the half, ending a wild second quarter in which 45 points were scored.
In the beginning of the third quarter, the Steelers drove the ball down the field and capped off the drive with a Ben to Bryant 2 yard touchdown. Midway through the third, Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 12 yard touchdown run.
Roethlisberger connected on a 20 yard pass to Darius Heyward-Bey, who fumbled to the Colts. Luck then connected with Donte Moncrief for a 31 yard touchdown, as momentum appeared to be changing, and the Steelers lead 42-34.
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) meet at mid-field after their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Going into the fourth quarter, the Steelers drove the ball down to the 11-yard line, but Legarrette Blount was stripped and the Colts got the ball, though his forward progress appeared to be stopped. Luck then committed intentional grounding in the end zone, in which it was deemed a safety, and the Steelers led 44-34.
The Steelers then went on a 12-play, 67-yard drive that was capped off on fourth down and 1 with an 11 yard Roethlisberger to Heath Miller touchdown pass, giving the Steelers a 51-34 advantage.
Aside from Big Ben’s historical afternoon, LeVeon Bell had 24 carries for 92 yards, Antonio Brown had 10 receptions for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Heath Miller had 7 receptions for 112 yards and 1 touchdown. For the Colts, Ahmad Bradshaw had 6 carries for 35 yards and 1 touchdown, T.Y. Hilton had 6 receptions for 155 yards and 1 touchdown, and Donte Moncrief had 7 catches for 113 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Steelers had 34 first downs and 639 total yards of offense.
The Steelers will host and look for revenge against the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday night in an AFC North showdown.