After erupting for 639 total net yards (the third-highest figure in team history) and 34 first downs (also the third-highest figure in team history) and after possessing the ball for 39:43, the Steelers talked with just a hint of regret about the plays they didn't make in their 51-34 ambush of Indianapolis.
"We played pretty well, but we left a lot out there," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said after setting Steelers records for completions (40), passing yards (522) and touchdown passes (six). "I missed a couple of throws.
"We probably want to run the ball a little better, but we scored. I don't know what our red-zone conversion was, we did pretty well but we still turned the ball over twice. There are still a lot of things we need to improve on."
Running back Le'Veon Bell rushed for 92 yards on 24 attempts and the Steelers finished with 117 yards on 32 carries. The Steelers went 5-for-6 in the red zone.
But Bell, like Roethlisberger, wanted more.
"We still have to get better," Bell insisted. "We still had a lot of bonehead penalties and turned the ball over. We still have some things to clean up. We didn't play a perfect game. We know what we have to do, and we have to go out there and do that next week."
HARRISON HEARD FROM
Linebacker James Harrison had his first sack (No. 65 career) since rejoining the Steelers for their Sept. 28 game against Tampa Bay and also had a quarterback hit and a tackle for a loss.
"I've had an opportunity to get my feet back under me," Harrison said. "I feel like I can move a little bit better, I've lost a few pounds. This is basically Week Five for me so it's sorta like coming out of preseason. I'm feeling a little better, but I still have a little way to go."
The defense did much of what it wanted to do against the Colts despite surrendering 34 points and 448 total net yards. Indianapolis came in averaging 30.9 points and 452.9 yards per game.
"The first thing we wanted to do was stop the run," Harrison said. "The second thing we wanted to do was to try and jam the receivers and not give them those quick timing routes and free releases and get constant pressure on (Andrew Luck), because no quarterback throws well with pressure on him."
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IN THE BOOKS**
In addition to setting franchise records, Roethlisberger became the first player in NFL history to throw for 500 yards in a game twice in a career.
Roethlisberger also won his 100th regular-season game and joined Tom Brady (116-34), Joe Montana (108-42) and Terry Bradshaw (102-48) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to win 100 games in their first 150 starts.
"I've been so blessed to play on some great football teams and to be a part of a great franchise and organization," Roethlisberger said. "To have my name on a list with the other guys up there is a humbling honor."
Reaction in the locker room to Roethlisberger's accomplishments was perhaps best summed up by Bell.
"I'm just glad to be able to say I play with him because that's greatness right there," he said. "I'm just glad to call him my quarterback."
FINISHING THE JOB
Tight end Heath Miller became the third player in Steelers history to reach 500 career catches (Hines Ward 1,000, John Stallworth 537) during a game in which the offense finished as planned.
"I think our mentality coming in was we knew we were going to have to put points on the board," Miller said. "They're a high-scoring offense, rack up a lot of yards, possess the ball. We knew we were going to have to play with the pedal to the floor all game and not ever take a deep breath and say, "OK, we have enough points, we can kind of hand it over to the defense.'
"That's a credit to their offense so that was kind of the mentality we had going in."
THEY SAID IT
"We've shown flashes. This is the closest we came to putting four quarters together. Now we have to do it week in and week out." – Miller on the offense.
"The thing about football is momentum. And I feel like we were giving the offense momentum and the defense was getting momentum off the offense when they were consistently scoring and scoring and scoring. If they keep scoring it's going to be great for us." – linebacker Ryan Shazier.
"I wish I could say this happens every Sunday, but if we keep going to practice every day and working our butts off and staying humble and focused I think we'll be a good team this year." – center Maurkice Pouncey.
"It was huge, especially being a part of what just happened." – wide receiver Markus Wheaton on catching his first career touchdown pass in Sunday's win over the Colts.
