The 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers were on the road again for the third time in four games when they traveled to Indianapolis to play the 1-2 Colts, and while on paper it seemed like a slam dunk pick, there’s a reason they play the games. Could the Steelers go about their business and remain perfect? Or would Anthony Richardson and the Colts running game with Jonathan Taylor pull off the upset?

Those aren’t all the headlines heading into the game, but here we let you know how the game went down by quarter, sharing highlights alone the way.

Let’s get to the breakdown:

1st Quarter

The Colts started with the football after the Steelers won the toss and chose to defer their possession to the second half. They wasted little time moving the ball with Anthony Richardson going right at Joey Porter Jr. on the first play, a 32 yard completion to Michael Pittman.

Anthony Richardson DIME 🪙
pic.twitter.com/R53hGKha9G

— PFF (@PFF) September 29, 2024

Then they turned it over to Jonathan Taylor, who behind a back-up center gashed the defense on his way to the first touchdown of the game. The quick score made it 7-0 early in the game.

Coming out swinging. 🥊

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/79Jgl4H8MY

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024

While the Steelers were able to possess the ball, their first drive of the game resulted in nothing more than a punt.

The second Colts drive mirrored their first drive, especially in the end result. The difference was Anthony Richardson left the game with injury and it was Joe Flacco who took over and hit Joshua Downs for the Colts second touchdown to make the score 14-0.

1️⃣ zig zags his way for 6️⃣!

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/uazSwGc22o

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024

The Steelers continued to get abused in the trenches, and nothing showed that more than the following drive which had Mike Tomlin go for it on a 4th and short from their own 40-yard line. Justin Fields was stopped short, turning the ball over on downs.

The quarter ended with Flacco still at quarterback and the Colts in Pittsburgh territory.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Colts 14, Steelers 0

2nd Quarter

The Flacco-led Colts offense were able to turn the quality field position into 3 points after a 33-yard field goal, making the score 17-0 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the half.

Both teams exchanged possessions before the Steelers started a drive at their own 5-yard line. The drive was their best of the day, and were in the red-zone when Justin Fields pass to George Pickens saw the talented wide receiver fumble the football as he fought for extra yards. The ball was recovered by the Colts for the first turnover of the game.

Indianapolis was unable to turn the takeaway into points, and it was the Steelers who got the ball with just over a minute left with one timeout. Justin Fields was able to orchestrate a drive to get into Chris Boswell’s field goal range, and the 50-yard kick was good as time expired.

Score at Halftime: Colts 17, Steelers 3

3rd Quarter

The Steelers started with the football to start the second half, but their drive would be viewed as field-flipping, nothing more.

After a defensive 3-and-out, the Steelers got a spark from Calvin Austin III on a punt return which set the offense up with the best starting field position of the game. What did they do with the field position? Absolutely nothing. In fact, Justin Fields scrambled and fumbled the ball back on 3rd down to put the Colts in striking distance.

A conservative approach by the Colts equated in a 54-yard field goal attempt, but the kick sailed wide left, giving the Steelers new life.

A big strike from Fields to George Pickens put the ball in the red-zone, and the drive was capped off with a 3rd down touchdown run by Fields to give the Steelers their first touchdown of the game.

.@justnfields takes it in himself for the tuddie

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/dSZMSjkQL1

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 29, 2024

To end the 3rd quarter, the Colts next drive had moved into the red-zone.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Colts 17, Steelers 10

4th Quarter

Starting the quarter in the red-zone, it was Flacco who found Alec Ogletree for the touchdown, making the score 24-10 after the point-after was good.

Tree planting himself in the end zone. 🌳

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/2eO9abxEgB

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024

The Steelers needed a spark, so they turned to Najee Harris on a designed screen who took the ball into the Colts’ territory. A roughing the passer call moved the ball into the red-zone. On 2nd and goal, it was Fields who ran the ball into the end-zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game.

.@justnfields powers his way in for the TD 💪

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/xEJUsybXi4

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 29, 2024

Chris Boswell was good, making the score 24-17 with 11:23 left.

Joe Flacco answered the bell on the next drive, completing huge pass after huge pass on 3rd down to move the Colts into field goal range. A field goal was how the drive ended, making the score 27-17 with 6:03 remaining in regulation.

Justin Fields orchestrated a beautiful drive on the next series, which was highlighted by a deep ball to George Pickens. When all was said and done, it was Fields hitting Pat Freiermuth for the Steelers touchdown.

.@pat_fry5 for six ‼️

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/NI3A6LZ1XV

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 29, 2024

Following the extra point the Steelers trailed three with just over 3 minutes remaining. On the next Colts drive the Steelers defense stood tall and got a 3-and-out.

With 2:43 left in the game, the Steelers offense took over inside their own 20 with one timeout left, needing a field goal to send the game to overtime. Another botched QB/C exchange killed the drive after two first downs to start the drive, and that would be the first loss for the Steelers on the season.

FINAL SCORE: Colts 27, Steelers 24

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they start to prepare for their Week 5 regular season game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.