Oct 27, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – On a day in which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a historic performance, throwing for 522 yards and six touchdown passes, the Steelers’ defense could take just as much credit as the offense for a 51-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday.

It might seem strange to some to consider allowing 448 total yards, including 385 passing, and 34 points a good day for a defense. But Pittsburgh had Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck under constant pressure, forced two turnovers and came up with enough stops to at least slow an offense that entered the game leading the NFL in yardage and give the Steelers (5-3) a chance to win.

“We just fought defensively (and) made some plays,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers had two interceptions, with William Gay returning one for a touchdown.

After failing to record a takeaway in their first two games and only two in their first four games, the Steelers have forced eight in the past four games, going 3-1 in that stretch.

“We’re making more plays,” said defensive end Cameron Heyward. “We’re moving in the right direction.”

It was far from a perfect day, as the Steelers allowed seven pass plays of 20 or more yards, but the defense did what was needed to slow the Colts enough to allow Pittsburgh’s offense to control the game.

“Though we gave up yards, we have to look at whether we were able to get off the field when we needed to,” said Heyward, who had two sacks negated by offsetting penalties. “Andrew Luck is a heck of a quarterback. He’s going to make some plays.”

Luck, who leads the NFL with 2,731 passing yards, completed 26 of 45 passes fo 400 yards. But he also was sacked twice, hit eight times and hurried 10 others as Pittsburgh constantly put pass rushers in his face.

“We knew they weren’t just going to sit back and play coverage all day,” said Luck of the Steelers. “They did a heck of a job though and obviously made some big plays.”

The Steelers forced a three-and-out on Indianapolis’ second possession, then got an interception and return for a touchdown from cornerback William Gay to take a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter. That forced the Colts (5-3) to play from behind for the rest of the game.

The game plan for the Steelers included putting their cornebackss in press coverage on Indianapolis’ receivers to take away the quick underneath patterns the Colts like to utilize.

“Everybody got pressure. We were going to make sure he felt us every single time he was back there,” said Heyward. “I think our DBs did a great job of taking away the quick pass and making them go downfield. A couple of times, we got beat. But for the most part, I felt like we controlled things up front.”

The Steelers got pressure in multiple ways. They blitzed linebackers and defensive backs and mixed their personnel, keeping Luck guessing.

Linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu were credited with the two sacks, linebacker Jason Worilds hit Luck a team-high three times and Heyward was credited with four pressures.

The sack by Harrison was especially pleasing to Tomlin.

“It was great to see James Harrison showing glimpses of James Harrison,” Tomlin said. “He’s worked his tail off to get to this spot. He’s starting to show us what he’s capable of.”

Signed five weeks ago when Jarvis Jones suffered a wrist injury, the 36-year-old Harrison said he’s finally rounding into shape.

“I’m in the process of losing a little bit of weight so I can move a little better, and it’s starting to show,” Harrison said. “Each week is a little better than the week before.”

Kind of like the Steelers’ defense as a whole.

“We’re getting better each week,” said Heyward.

Roethlisberger is the first player in league history with 500 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a game since Y.A. Tittle did it in 1962. … The Steelers (522) and Colts (385) combined for 907 net passing yards, the second-highest combined total in NFL history behind Detroit and Green Bay’s 971 in 2012. … With their 639 total yards and 51 points, the Steelers are third in the NFL in total yardage per game (418.3) and ninth in scoring (25.6).