Steelers’ Defense Rebounds In Massive Statement Win Over Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers fans held a mock funeral for the team’s defense in the Acrisure Stadium parking lot before Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. They then watched the unit rise from the dead.

The Steelers responded from ugly back-to-back losses with a huge 27-20 win over the Colts. Indianapolis gained more total yards (368) than Pittsburgh (225), but Mike Tomlin’s defense sprang back to form in Week 9.

Daniel Jones’ career resurgence was one of the 2025 season’s best stories before he turned back into a pumpkin on Sunday. The quarterback took five sacks, threw three picks — matching his prior interception total through eight games — and lost two of three fumbles at Pittsburgh.

Wide receiver Josh Downs also lost a fumble, totaling six turnovers for a team that entered the game with four all season.

Jonathan Taylor garnered MVP consideration after tallying 1,056 yards and 14 touchdowns through Week 8. The star running back exceeded 85 scrimmage yards in each game before the Steelers contained him to a season-low 45 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards.

Sunday snapped Taylor’s four-game touchdown streak and marked the first time this season he didn’t muster a double-digit run. Shutting down the superstar is a major relief for a defense that surrendered 142 rushing yards to the Cincinnati Bengals’ last-ranked ground game in Week 7.

After the game, Tomlin highlighted Pittsburgh’s success against Taylor as the catalyst for Sunday’s statement victory.

“It’s a big-time win for the collective,” Tomlin said. “I can’t say enough about the defense’s effort to minimize the runner. I don’t think you slow that group down unless you minimize the runner.”

Pundits and Steelers captain Cam Heyward criticized the defense after two subpar showings against the Bengals and Green Bay Packers, but the group responded against the NFL’s No. 1 offense on Sunday. Pittsburgh improved to 5-3, maintaining a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

The Steelers will look to carry that momentum into next week’s “Sunday Night Football” game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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