Indianapolis Colts can’t keep up with Pittsburgh Steelers, fall 28-7

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) drops back to pass as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) strips the ball in the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) drops back to pass as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) strips the ball in the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts failed to earn a much needed win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving Night. The Colts couldn’t keep up with the Steelers high powered offense, falling 28-7.

For the past two seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers have thoroughly owned the Indianapolis Colts. While Thursday night wasn’t an exception, it was the Colts best showing against the Steelers since Chuck Pagano took over as head coach. The Steelers have now outscored the Colts 124-51 over the past three meetings.

For the Colts, miss opportunity will be the story of the game. With no Andrew Luck, the Colts were going to need a complete team effort. Scott Tolzien played well enough in the first half, but a number of drops hurt his best efforts.

Defensively, the Colts surrendered a touchdown on the Steelers first three drives of the game. On each of those, they refused to give Vontae Davis any help and it led to Antonio Brown burning him for two of their three first half touchdowns (Brown would ice the game with a third TD in the fourth quarter).

The Colts had plenty of chances in the first half to keep this game close. A drive late in the half saw T.Y. Hilton drop a perfect touchdown pass. Hilton made up for that drop a few plays later, but suffered a back injury to set up a goal line chance for the Colts. Four plays resulted in zero points for the home team.

The Colts found themselves in a goal-to-go situation early in the fourth quarter and once again came away with zero points. A few run plays inched the Colts closer and on fourth down Phillip Dorsett saw a near perfect pass slip through his fingers.

Touchdowns on those two possessions would have tied this game up. Despite giving up scores on the first three possessions, the Colts defense tightened up enough to give the offense enough chances to win on Sunday.

Tolzien wasn’t exactly the problem, but he didn’t set the field on fire either. His stat line may look bad, but he didn’t start turning the ball over until late in the fourth quarter when the Colts needed to take more risks. Tolzien completed 22-of-36 for 205 yards a touchdown and two interceptions.

Dwayne Allen hauled in five passes for 49 yards. Donte Moncrief had six for 45 yards and a touchdown. Hilton finished the night with three receptions for 54 yards.

The Colts also lost Hilton, Robert Mathis, Ryan Kelly, and Vontae Davis over the course on Thursday night’s action.

Up next, the Colts travel to New York to face the Jets on Monday Night Football on December 5th.