Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2014 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-10-26, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 51–34 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 45 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +9.78 total EPA, and -0.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +38.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (13:56) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 13-T.Hilton to PIT 20 for 45 yards (25-B.McCain).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +38.03 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +11.99 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.05 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Luck · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +9.78 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.41 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +7.04 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Moncrief · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +6.39 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Wheaton · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wheaton (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 52:19)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Gay (Q2 44:25)
• Indianapolis Colts — D. Allen (A. Luck pass) (Q2 41:43)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 38:38)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 35:21)
• Indianapolis Colts — T. Hilton (A. Luck pass) (Q2 32:03)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 25:03)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Bradshaw (Q3 18:45)
• Indianapolis Colts — D. Moncrief (A. Luck pass) (Q3 17:42)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 5:21)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q1 57:00)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:01)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the PIT 13 (Q1 57:00) — (12:00) 4-A.Vinatieri 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 18 (Q1 52:19) — (7:19) (No Huddle) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 11-M.Wheaton for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 52:13) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 28–17. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 5 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-M.Bryant for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 44:57) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 72 (Q2 44:25); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 44:16) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 21 (Q2 41:43); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 41:36) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 8 (Q2 38:38) — (8:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 38:33) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 47 (Q2 35:21) — (5:21) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 84-A.Brown for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 35:08) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 28 (Q2 32:03) — (2:03) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 13-T.Hilton for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-J.Worilds].; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 31:56) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the PIT 5 (Q2 30:01) — (:01) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q3 25:03) — (10:03) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-M.Bryant for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 24:59) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 12 (Q3 18:45) — (3:45) (Shotgun) 44-A.Bradshaw up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 18:38) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 31 (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 10-D.Moncrief for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 17:35) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 9–0. Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the PIT 95 (Q4 12:38); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 11 (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 5:14) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 58:56) — (13:56) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 13-T.Hilton to PIT 20 for 45 yards (25-B.McCain). [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.48]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 10-D.Moncrief for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.5% · EPA +4.14]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 27-L.Blount right tackle to IND 5 for 6 yards (58-A.Studebaker). FUMBLES (58-A.Studebaker), RECOVERED by IND-58-A.Studebaker at IND 5. 58-A.Studebaker to IND 5 for no gain (83-H.Miller). [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.57]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 44:25) — (14:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left intended for 14-H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by 22-W.Gay at IND 33. 22-W.Gay for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -6.4% · EPA -7.55]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 49:29) — (4:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 26-L.Bell pushed ob at IND 48 for 12 yards (52-D.Jackson). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +1.90]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 44:25) — (14:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left intended for 14-H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by 22-W.Gay at IND 33. 22-W.Gay for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -6.4% · EPA -7.55]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 27-L.Blount right tackle to IND 5 for 6 yards (58-A.Studebaker). FUMBLES (58-A.Studebaker), RECOVERED by IND-58-A.Studebaker at IND 5. 58-A.Studebaker to IND 5 for no gain (83-H.Miller). [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.57]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 26:19) — (11:19) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 83-H.Miller to IND 4 for 49 yards (27-J.Gordy). [WPA +3.1% · EPA +4.55]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 43:01) — (13:01) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 10-D.Moncrief to PIT 27 for 52 yards (22-W.Gay). [WPA +3.2% · EPA +4.31]

Quarterback report card

A.Luck led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Luck (Indianapolis Colts) · 58 dropbacks · 44.8% completion · -0.6% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +9.78 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 50 dropbacks · 80.0% completion · +16.9% CPOE · +0.76 EPA/play · +38.03 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.26 vs +0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, +12.70 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +27.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 57:00 · PIT 13 · Score 3-0
   (12:00) 4-A.Vinatieri 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 52:19 · IND 18 · Score 3-6
   (7:19) (No Huddle) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 11-M.Wheaton for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 52:13 · IND 2 · Score 3-7
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · IND 5 · Score 3-13
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-M.Bryant for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:57 · IND 2 · Score 3-14
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 44:25 · PIT 72 · Score 3-20
   (14:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left intended for 14-H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by 22-W.Gay at IND 33. 22-W.Gay for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:16 · IND 2 · Score 3-21
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 41:43 · PIT 21 · Score 9-21
   (11:43) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 83-D.Allen for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The
9. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 41:36 · PIT 2 · Score 10-21
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 38:38 · IND 8 · Score 10-27
    (8:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 38:33 · IND 2 · Score 10-28
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 35:21 · IND 47 · Score 10-34
    (5:21) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 84-A.Brown for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 35:08 · IND 2 · Score 10-35
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
14. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 32:03 · PIT 28 · Score 16-35
    (2:03) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 13-T.Hilton for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-J.Worilds].
15. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · PIT 2 · Score 17-35
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
16. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 30:01 · PIT 5 · Score 20-35
    (:01) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 25:03 · IND 2 · Score 20-41
    (10:03) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-M.Bryant for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 24:59 · IND 2 · Score 20-42
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
19. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 18:45 · PIT 12 · Score 26-42
    (3:45) (Shotgun) 44-A.Bradshaw up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 18:38 · PIT 2 · Score 27-42
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
21. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 17:42 · PIT 31 · Score 33-42
    (2:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep right to 10-D.Moncrief for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 17:35 · PIT 2 · Score 34-42
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 12:38 · PIT 95 · Score 34-44
    (12:38) 12-A.Luck pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on IND-12-A.Luck, Intentional Grounding, 5 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY. The Replay Official challe
24. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:21 · IND 11 · Score 34-50
    (5:21) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 5:14 · IND 2 · Score 34-51
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.