The Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts both entered the Week 15 game with 7-6 records, but the two teams were on different trajectories. The Steelers were coming off back-to-back losses to then two win teams, and the Colts have been able to rally without Anthony Richardson at quarterback and are back in the playoff picture.

It wouldn’t be Kenny Pickett vs. Richardson, but Mitch Trubisky vs. Gardner Minshew in Week 15 on Saturday evening. Winner keeps their playoff hopes and dreams alive, loser would need some serious help to get in. The Steelers won the opening coin toss, and chose to take the football to start the game. The drive lasted just three plays.

Indianapolis’ first drive was able to get into field goal range, but Matt Gay’s 56-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left, giving the Steelers new life, and good field position. 12 plays later, and 54 yards later, the Steelers got into a first-and-goal situation. Fueled by Mitch Trubisky and George Pickens, it was a quarterback sneak which equated in a touchdown for the visiting Steelers.

.@Mtrubisky10 pushes it in for six 🙌

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 16, 2023

However, Chris Boswell’s extra point hit the right upright, making the score 6-0 with 1:12 remaining in the first quarter.

The Colts’ next drive lasted just three plays before they punted the ball away to the Steelers to start the second quarter. However, the punt was blocked by Conner Heyward, and recovered by Nick Herbig. It was ruled Herbig was downed at the one-yard line.

HUGE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAY‼️

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 16, 2023

Two plays later, Trubisky hit Diontae Johnson in the corner of the end-zone for the Steelers touchdown.

🔟 ➡️ 1️⃣8️⃣ for the touchdown!

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 16, 2023

The Steelers elected to kick the extra point, and this time Boswell was good, making the score 13-0 with 14:07 left in the first half.

Needing to answer the Steelers’ fast start, the Colts were able to put together their first scoring drive of the game. It was Minshew magic which was able to extend plays and put the Colts in the red-zone for the first time. The next play was Minshew hitting Zach Moss out of the backfield for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and made the score 13-7 with 11:21 left in the second quarter.

Starting with good field position again after a strong return, the Steelers saw the ball at midfield quickly after Najee Harris broke off his biggest run of the game. However, when Trubisky finally took a shot downfield, a 50-50 ball intended for George Pickens, it was intercepted for the first turnover of the game.

Two plays later on the Colts’ ensuing drive, Minshew overthrew Michael Pittman, and Damontae Kazee delivered a crushing hit on the receiver. The hit was deemed illegal, and Kazee was ejected from the game. After the penalty, the Steelers lost Minkah Fitzpatrick with a knee injury, and the injury plagued defense allowed the Colts to get into a 1st-and-goal situation. It looked as if they were able to run it in for the score, but replay showed the runner was down at the two yard line. Following a 3rd-and-goal incompletion, it looked like Minshew hit his target for the touchdown, but the receiver couldn’t handle the pass and it was a turnover on downs.

While the Steelers didn’t score on the drive, they were able to complete a first down and get out of their own end before punting the ball back to the Colts. Indianapolis took over with 44 seconds left and all three timeouts remaining. A 34-yard completion to Montgomery on first down moved the ball into field goal position, and Joey Porter Jr. getting flagged for defensive pass interference moved the ball in the red-zone. Two plays later and Minshew hit Montgomery for the touchdown. The extra point made the score 14-13 with 22 seconds left in the half. The score would hold heading into halftime.

The Colts received the kickoff to start the second half, but the drive lasted just three plays before they punted the ball to the Steelers for their first possession of the second half. On first down, Najee Harris tried to make something out of nothing, and fumbled the football. It was recovered by Indianapolis. One play later it was Minshew throwing his third touchdown to Allie Cox. The extra point was good, making the score 21-13 with 13:16 left in the third quarter.

The Steelers’ next drive was a three-and-out, and the Colts put more points on the board when they got the ball back. The Gay field goal made the score 24-13 with just over 9 minutes left in the quarter. Pittsburgh was able to move the ball on the cusp of field goal range, but instead of taking a shot, in a dome, with Chris Boswell kicking a field goal, Mike Tomlin elected to punt the ball away. The bad news continued for the Steelers as they continued to struggle stopping the run. The next Indianapolis possession they ran the ball 12 straight times en route to another field goal, making the score 24-13.

Another turnover, this a Trubisky interception, gave the ball back to the Colts, but another Gay missed field goal kept the game at two scores with left in the game. The Steelers had seen enough of Trubisky, so they turned to Mason Rudolph to come in and try to provide a spark. It didn’t make a difference, and the Steelers turned the ball over on downs.

The Colts turned the turnover on downs into a field goal, making the score 30-13. That score would hold as the final.

The loss moves the Steelers record to 7-7 on the season, and equated in their third straight loss. It was the first loss to the Colts since 2008 as the Steelers now see their playoff hopes and aspirations are all but lost. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals next Saturday in Week 16.