Report card

RAY FIT TIP AL DO GRADES THE STEELERS ON SUNDAY’ S GAME:

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger had his best game since the Steelers blew out the Bengals at Heinz Field in mid-November. Roethlisberger did most of his damage in the second half with 244 of his 342 yards and all three of his touchdowns. The nagging question as the Steelers prepare for the postseason is: why is Roethlisberger and the offense so seemingly unprepared in the first halves of games?

Running backs

James Conner, after missing last week with a quad injury, contributed five catches for 45 yards. That was the extent of the highlights for the running backs. One week after running for 84 yards against the Bengals, Benny Snell had zero yards on six carries and was ineffective in goal-to-go situations. For the second time in the past four games, the Steelers had first-and-goal from the 1 and failed to score.

Receivers

The receivers caught three touchdown passes and dropped two. Diontae Johnson made a beautiful diving catch in the end zone to cut the deficit to 10 and give the Steelers some momentum early in the third quarter. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who dropped a touchdown in the first half, made a contested catch in the end zone for the winning touchdown. He led the way with 95 yards on nine catches.

Offensive line

The pass protection was much better in the second half and gave Roethlisberger the time he needed to make some throws down the field. It was much-needed after the Steelers fell behind by 17 points. The runblocking wasn’t any better, but what else is new? The Steelers had 20 yards on 14 carries. You’re not going to win many games with a running attack that is that inept, but the Steelers beat the odds on this day.

Defensive line

Phillip Rivers had been sacked only 16 times entering the game, but the Steelers sacked him five times. Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt each had a sack and Rivers had to hurry many of his throws due to consistent pressure by the Steelers front. The defensive line can most definitely play better against the run, especially in the first halves of games. The Colts had 127 on the ground after the Bengals had 152.

Linebackers

T.J. Watt had a sack in the first quarter and a strip sack in the second, which set up the Steelers’ first touchdown. He did what you’re supposed to do when facing a backup tackle. Alex Highsmith didn’t have a sack, but he had two very important pressures that helped the Steelers win. He also had seven tackles. Avery Williamson added a sack, but he and Vince Williams were bad against the run in the first half.

Secondary

Joe Haden gave up a long touchdown and Rivers was picking the secondary apart in the first. But the defensive backs improved in their coverage as the game progressed. After going 9 for 12 for 153 yards and a touchdown, Rivers was 13 for 23 for 117 yards after halftime. Only giving up three points in the second half to an offense that had scored 34 (twice) and 44 in recent weeks is quite the accomplishment.

Special teams

Colts punt returner Nyheim Hines had a head of steam and no one around him on several of his returns. He finished with 63 yards on three returns. If that wasn’t bad enough Justin Layne got called for an illegal block above the waist, which gave the Colts a short field on their third touchdown drive. Matthew Wright was 4 for 4 on extra points, but his kickoffs were short and gave the Colts good field position.

Coaching

How much credit goes to the coaches when Roethlisberger made the comeback by going to the no-huddle and calling most of the plays himself? It’s well past time the Steelers let Roethlisberger call every play himself. The defensive adjustments were strong after halftime and contributed to knocking Rivers off rhythm. But it’s still concerning that the Colts can walk onto Heinz Field and look like world beaters in the first half.