Bell rings: On Monday Le'Veon Bell said he felt great, despite carrying the load for the Steelers offense last week against the Browns. Bell said he was smart in that game knowing there was a short week ahead, getting down, protecting himself and avoiding a lot of hits.
It paid off in the Steelers 28-7 win over the Colts on Thanksgiving night.
Bell carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and a five-yard touchdown on the Steelers' opening drive. He also had four receptions for 22 yards.
"A lot of credit to the guys up front," said Ben Roethlisberger. "They opened holes for Le'Veon. They gave me time in the pass game. And guys made plays."
Hat trick: Receiver Antonio Brown set a single-game career-high with three touchdown receptions against the Colts. Brown had a 25-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and a 33-yard grab in the second quarter. He closed out his scoring with a 22-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
Brown finished the night with five receptions for 91 yards.
Brown moved into fourth place in Steelers history in touchdown receptions with 48, now behind only Lynn Swann (51), John Stallworth (63) and Hines Ward (85).
"I appreciate it. I don't take it for granted," said Coach Mike Tomlin of Brown's performance. "But I am not surprised by it. He is a hard, diligent worker, a talented guy, so he maximizing his opportunities."
Standing tall: The defense was asked to stop the Colts not once, but twice from the one-yard line on fourth down. And both times they did their job, coming up with two crucial goal-line stands.
The Colts had a first down at the two-yard line with 3:18 to play in the first half. Sean Davis stopped Frank Gore for no gain, followed by a stop by Ricardo Mathews after Gore picked up just a yard. On third-and-one from the one-yard line Davis stepped up again, stopping Scott Tolzien for no gain. On fourth-and-one Mike Mitchell broke up Tolzien's pass, turning the ball over on downs. In the fourth quarter it was more of the same when the Colts had first-and-goal at the Steelers' six-yard line. Ryan Shazier held Robert Turbin to a two-yard gain, and then kept Gore at bay, allowing him just a two-yard gain. On third down Tolzien scrambled, but was stopped by Mitchell for a one-yard gain. On fourth-and-one the defense came up with their second stop of the night when Tolzien threw incomplete to Phillip Dorsett.
"Really more than anything it was two nice plays by safeties," said Tomlin. "In one instance Sean Davis, the quarterback was scrambling and he made the definitive decision to come out of coverage and make a tackle. I think the other one was Mike Mitchell in a similar way. Those were two significant plays by pass defenders first to come out of coverage. You get significant plays like that you've got a chance to have a stand."
Green looking good: Ladarius Green showed what he is capable of doing for the Steelers offense with two key receptions, one for 35 yards, the other a 32-yarder.
"He is getting acclimated, getting on a moving train," said Tomlin. "We respect that process. It's one thing to be ready and healthy; it's another thing to be football ready. He has been healthy for a number of weeks. We have seen him display some football readiness and hopefully that continues. I know he gave us some field flipping plays which was a positive contribution to our efforts."
