Jaylen Warren’s long scores power Steelers past Colts

Jaylen Warren’s 50-yard third-quarter touchdown run broke Indianapolis’ grip on a one-point game, lifting the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Colts 34-22 Sunday, October 11, at Acrisure Stadium.

Warren carried 15 times for 101 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 87 yards and another score. His 80-yard catch-and-run from Aaron Rodgers answered Indianapolis’ first field goal in one snap, and his 50-yard burst through the left side turned a 17-16 Steelers lead into an eight-point cushion. Rodgers completed 22 of 31 for 235 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

The Colts stayed within one point into the fourth quarter after trailing 24-16, cutting the deficit with a 28-yard Shrader field goal at 11:42. But Pittsburgh answered with the possession that settled it, then held Indianapolis without a touchdown after halftime. The Steelers moved to 3-2, while the Colts fell to 2-3.

The separation came on the ground

Indianapolis had taken early leads of 3-0 and 6-3 on Shrader field goals, but Warren’s 80-yard score at 8:45 of the first quarter immediately put Pittsburgh ahead. Rodgers then directed a 15-play, 80-yard march that lasted 8:32 and ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Freiermuth, pushing the lead to 14-6. The Colts answered with a 12-play touchdown drive, and Pittsburgh carried only a 17-13 edge into halftime after a 48-yard Boswell field goal.

The Colts opened the second half with another field goal to make it 17-16. Warren answered on Pittsburgh’s next possession, breaking free for 50 yards at 7:06 of the third; that play swung Pittsburgh’s win probability from 60% to 76%. Indianapolis added field goals to reach 22 points, but never got back in front.

With the Colts within 24-22, Pittsburgh used a 10-play, 64-yard series lasting 5:03 to create the decisive breathing room. Rodgers found Freiermuth for a 17-yard touchdown at 6:35, making it 31-22, and Boswell’s 54-yard field goal finished the scoring. Indianapolis’ next two possessions ended on downs.

Efficiency backed Pittsburgh’s big plays

Pittsburgh’s explosive gains were backed by cleaner down-to-down production. The Steelers produced 0.28 EPA per play — EPA measures expected points added on each play — and posted a 49% success rate, the share of plays with positive EPA. Warren supplied the biggest gains, while Rodgers repeatedly converted Pittsburgh’s chances into touchdowns.

Daniel Jones completed 24 of 44 for 267 yards for Indianapolis, with Tyler Warren catching seven passes for 83 yards. Jonathan Taylor managed 45 yards on 15 carries as the Colts’ running game posted minus-0.05 EPA per play, leaving the offense to settle for field goals on five scoring possessions. Pittsburgh next visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 18; Indianapolis hosts the Tennessee Titans that day at 2-3.