Steelers stun Colts 21-18

The Steelers built up a 21-3 lead after three quarters that would not be exceeded, despite a major officiating gaffe that gave the Colts new life, being down 21-10 with 5:26 to go.

On the field, Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu was credited with an interception, fumble and fumble recovery near midfield, an incerception that would have all but iced the game.

Inexplicably, this call was erroneously overturned by Referee Pete Morelli on a Colts' replay challegenge. Polamalu had possession for some 6 seconds before knocking the ball out of his hands with his knee as he was getting back off the ground. The NFL would later admit that the original call on the field was the correct one, and it should have been steelers ball.

The Colts made the most of the error, taking the ball down to score a TD and a 2-point conversion, to draw within 21-18, but that's as close as it would get. The Steelers went three and out, and punted, but the Colts were sacked twice in four plays, including on 4th and 16 at their own 2 yard line. Steelers only had to punch it in, and retake a 10 point lead to seal the game. The Steelers don't kneel on it due to the colts having all three timeouts left (they should have lost one on the challenge), since that would still have left a minute.

Then comes the play with a finish on par with the Immaculate reception in 1972 and the deflection in 1995... Bettis hits the gap, and a Colts defender gets a direct hit on the ball with his helmet, knocking it out. A colt defender picked the ball up and began to run, apparently clear to the Steeler endzone for a winning score. Out of nowhere was a heads up and gutsy play by QB Ben Roethlisberger, who had retreated in Safety mode after he realized he couldn't get the loose ball. He out-faked the defender, making a shoestring tackle on the Colts 42, making the Colts have to drive on the Steeler defense to win or tie.

The colts quickly got down to the Steeler 29/30, and had a 2nd and 2, but threw for the endzone on 2nd down, defended perfectly by rookie CB Bryant McFadden, and McFadden almost made a pick on third and 2, leading to a 4th and 2, and a 46 yard attempt by Mr. Automatic, Mike Vanderjagt of the colts, who had not missed at home all year. THis time, he was way right, and the Steelers move on to Denver.