INDIANAPOLIS - The Steelers entered their Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts here at Lucas Oil Stadium leading the NFL in total defense and scoring defense.
A big part of that had been the team's ability to shut down opponents on third downs, where the Steelers were allowing a conversion rate of just 21.9 percent.
The Colts converted 8 of 15 third downs and handed the Steelers their first loss of the season, 27-24, holding off a furious Pittsburgh comeback.
Quarterback Justin Fields completed 22 of 34 passes for 322 yards and one touchdown, rushing for two more scores, but it wasn't enough as the Steelers fell to 3-1.
"I appreciate his fight, but he and we were too sloppy at times," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin of the quarterback, who fumbled twice and also was sacked four times.
Things didn't start well for the Steelers, who quickly fell behind 17-0 as the Colts scored on their first three possessions.
"That's on us," said linebacker Patrick Queen. "We can't start slow like that and put our offense in a hole."
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Special teams during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (38) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The team huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Special teams during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (38) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Indianapolis got a 32-yard completion from Anthony Richardson to Michael Pittman Jr. on its first play from scrimmage and used that to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor for a 7-0 lead.
The Steelers drove into Indianapolis territory on the ensuing possession, but guard Spencer Anderson, inserted after starting right guard James Daniels suffered an ankle injury, was penalized 15 yards for a late hit, pushing the Steelers back to midfield and forcing a punt.
The Colts got the ball back at their own 14, and though Richardson moved them into Steelers territory, he was injured at the end of a 16-yard run, leaving the game briefly before returning. He then called a keeper on a read-option inside the 10, where he was hit again by Minkah Fitzpatrick. This time, he did not return to the game.
Backup Joe Flacco, however, tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs on third-and-goal to give the Colts a 14-0 advantage.
Things then went from bad to worse, as the Steelers tried to convert a fourth-and-1 from their own 39 on their ensuing possession, only to see Fields, working out of the shotgun, stopped for no gain, turning the ball over on downs.
That set the Colts up for a 33-yard Matt Gay field goal and a 17-0 lead.
"We didn't think time of the essence at that point," said Tomlin. "First, we had to stop kicking our own butt."
That finally started to happen - in spurts.
The Steelers drove 15 late in the second quarter, but George Pickens lost a fumble inside the 5 fighting for additional yards and the Colts recovered to turn the Steelers away.
Pittsburgh finally did put points on the board on the final play of the first half, as Fields got them into field goal range as time expired and the Steelers cut the lead to 17-3 on a 50-yard Chris Boswell field goal.
After the teams traded punts to start the second half, the Steelers got a 30-yard punt return from Calvin Austin III to the Indianapolis 33. But on third down, Fields attempted a rollout, only to find the Colts blitzing the edges.
As Fields attempted to escape to Colts' defenders, he slipped to the ground, and defensive back Chris Lammons knocked the ball free as he attempted to get up. Lammons also recovered the ball.
Not only was it a 22-yard loss, the Colts took over at the Pittsburgh 42. But the Steelers got a first-down sack from Cam Heyward and Beanie Bishop and Gay missed a 54-yard field goal to keep the game at 17-3.
Taking over at their own 44, the Steelers got a 38-yard pass from Fields to Pickens to the Indianapolis 17. That set up Fields for a 5-yard touchdown run that cut the Colts' lead to 17-10 with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter.
But the Colts regained a 14-point advantage on their next possession. Flacco twice escaped sacks to throw the ball away on first and second down, then converted third-and-10. Fitzpatrick was penalized later in the possession for a questionable late hit on a receiver down the sideline on a pass that was overthrown.
Fitzpatrick appeared to be trying to pull up and the contact incidental, but the 15-yard foul pushed the Colts into Pittsburgh territory.
Flacco then converted on third down again, this time finding tight end Drew Ogletree over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown that was the first allowed by the Steelers in the second half this season.
Down 24-10 with 14:43 remaining in the game, the Steelers needed a big play again, and this time it was provided by Harris.
Harris caught a screen in the right flat, picked up his blockers and cut back across the field. By the time the Colts got him on the ground, he had gained 33 yards. The Colts also were penalized for roughing the passer on the play, putting it at the Indianapolis 12.
On second-and-goal from the 2, Fields scrambled into the end zone around left end to cut the lead to 24-17 with 11:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Colts again converted on third downs to get a 35-yard Gay field goal, with Jonathan Taylor doing most of the heavy lifting, including a 21-yard run. But Taylor suffered an ankle injury on the drive, and did not return.
With the Steelers needing a quick score, Fields provided one, throwing an 8-yard TD pass to Pat Freiermuth to cap off a drive that went 70 yards in just 2:23.
That brought the Steelers to within 27-24 with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
Cam Heyward came up with a huge sack of Flacco on second down, and the Steelers used their second timeout with 2:52 remaining on third-and-15.
And when Flacco's third-down pass fell incomplete, the Steelers got the ball back with just over 2 ½ minutes left in the game.
Austin was forced to fair catch the ensuing punt inside the Pittsburgh 17.
The Steelers got two first downs, but on first-and-10 at the Pittsburgh 41, rookie center Zach Frazier snapped the ball before Fields was ready and he took a 12-yard loss.
"The clock was running. I got the tap and I snapped the ball," said Frazier. "I was in the middle of making a call when I got the tap. I got the call out and I just have to snap. I don't know what happened. It was unfortunate."
Fields took the blame.
"It was my fault. We were supposed to go on the first leg kick and Zach was IDing stuff," Fields said. "I felt the DBs rotating and changing the back end picture, so when he was IDing stuff and telling the o-line where to go, I was trying to get that final picture of where the DBs were going. It was supposed to be the first leg kick, so after I give that first leg kick, I've got to be ready for the ball, no matter when it's going to come or not. It's on me."
Fields fourth-down pass fell incomplete and the Steelers turned the ball over on downs.
Taylor finished with 21 carries for 88 yards, as the Colts rushed for 133 yards on 32 carries. Eighty-five of those rushing yards came in the first half.
"We didn't do great stopping the run early," said Heyward, who finished with 6 tackles and a sack. "In the second half, we were better, but 85 yards in a half is unacceptable."
