Steelers vs. Colts, Week 16: 2nd quarter in-game update

1st Quarter In-Game Update

The second quarter started with Philip Rivers throwing on first down, but T.J. Watt had different plans as he hit Rivers’ arm as he threw, causing a fumble. Mike Hilton recovered the fumble and returned it to the 5-yard line.

Ben Roethlisberger threw incomplete on consecutive plays, but it was James Conner on third down who plunged into the end zone for the Steelers’ first touchdown of the game.

Matthew Wright’s extra point was good, making the score 7-7 with 13:47 left in the second quarter.

Just when it looked like the Steelers’ were settling in and about to make this a game, the defense gave up yet another lengthy drive. Eerily similar to the Colts’ first drive of the game, the Pittsburgh defense was unable to slow down Jonathan Taylor. Taylor was getting nearly 5 yards a run, and after a big catch to T.Y. Hilton got the Colts in field goal range, it was Taylor who plunged into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. The score was 14-7 with 6:35 left in the first half.

Another typical Steelers three and out gave the ball back to the Colts’ offense with tremendous field position. That field position resulted in a second down bomb from Rivers to Zach Pascal for a 42-yard Colts’ touchdown, making the score 21-7 with 4:02 left in the second quarter.

Nearing desperation mode, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense put together their best drive of the game, but the drive would end after just two first downs. With 1:48 left in the half, the Colts had the ball again with all three timeouts remaining. A penalty on second down put a wrench in the drive, and the half would end with the Colts clinging to a 21-7 lead.