The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Indianapolis Colts for three quarters on Monday Night Football. The first, second and fourth quarters belonged to the Steelers, but unfortunately, the Colts played the third quarter while the Steelers watched a 16-3 lead evaporate. At the end of the third quarter, they trailed 17-16 and the offense was sputtering for the second week in a row.
Kenny Pickett (8) against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers opened the fourth quarter facing a third and nine and Kenny Pickett was forced to make a play. He had been let down repeatedly throughout the third quarter by George Pickens with uncharacteristic drops, but on the biggest play of the night, he delivered a perfectly thrown ball to the "NFL YoungBoy" who made a great catch, and the Steelers had a first down and new life.
Pickett guided an 11-play, 75-yard drive and faced adversity along the way. Diontae Johnson had a golden opportunity for a touchdown, but with a defender hanging all over him, he just couldn't quite haul in the go-ahead touchdown. The Steelers turned to Benny Snell who ran with authority all night and punched the ball in to give Pittsburgh a 22-17 lead. Snell and Anthony McFarland were forgotten men in Pittsburgh until tonight when injuries to Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren forced them into action in the second half. The pair was productive and delivered consistent solid runs during the second half.
George Pickens (14) catches the two-point conversion to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 24-17 lead on Monday Night Football. Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had to go for two points and Pickett stood tall in the pocket initially. He was forced to his right and on the run, he found his favorite target Pickens in the corner of the end zone for an all important two points. Pickett had his first fourth quarter comeback of his professional career under his belt and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for Pittsburgh and the rookie signal-caller. He took another huge step forward in his development tonight and showed the poise he didn’t have with the same opportunity in Miami a few weeks ago.
“He's getting better every week,” Mike Tomlin said at his postgame press conference. “It’s in a very natural way because of experience. He’s a competitor, he’s smart, but there is still a lot of meat on the bone and it’s just a process. But like I always say, he is good enough and we’re good enough to win while that happens. We are not grading him on a curve, you can ask me next week and I’ll say he got better.”
Pickett had realistic opportunities against the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals to lead the Steelers from behind, but came up short. The two games presented different looking opportunities and he clearly didn’t perform late against the Dolphins. The Bengals game is open for debate as to blame, but Pickett did not find a way to win.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The third time was the charm for the rookie as he made the plays he had to make down the stretch. Pickett played his third consecutive game without a turnover and while he had a few passes that were off the mark, he threw catchable balls to the right receiver most of the night. The former Pitt Panther is maturing before Steeler Nation’s eyes and proved it during his postgame interview:
“Getting a win, it feels great talking to you after a win,” Pickett told Lisa Salters after the game. “Up and down game, felt like we weren’t consistent enough offensively, but all that matters is we got the W. It’s getting better each week and these guys do a great job staying after with me and doing the little things that help us come out here and be successful.”
The rookie praised his teammates who occasionally let him down tonight and talked about enjoying a win, but not being satisfied with where the offense is currently. Pickett was praised earlier today by the Westwood One Radio analyst, Kurt Warner for his feel for the game. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman praised the rookie as having a grit that Mike Tomlin told them to look for during the game. He demonstrated maturity and gravitas during the fourth quarter and his postgame interview. It is just one game, but it was a huge step for the Steelers and the man they hope will be the quarterback of the future in Pittsburgh.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? How did you feel about the come from behind win against the Colts? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
