Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2015 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-06, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 45–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +23.00 total EPA, and +8.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.00 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (12:25) (No Huddle) 34-De.Williams left tackle to PIT 27 for 1 yard (55-N.Irving). FUMBLES (55-N.Irving), RECOVERED by IND-99-B.Winn at PIT 27. 99-B.Winn pushed ob at PIT 25 for 2 yards (73-R.Foster).

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 · +23.00 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.19 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.90 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Wheaton · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Moncrief · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.25 EPA/play
6. 6 F. Gore · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Johnson · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Herron · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.56 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

• Indianapolis Colts — F. Gore (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q2 38:32)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 34:08)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wheaton (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:14)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 27:44)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 14:15)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (Q4 4:18)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q1 55:23)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q1 50:30)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q1 48:19)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q4 6:33)

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 6–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q1 55:23) — (10:23) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the IND 11 (Q1 50:30) — (5:30) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the IND 32 (Q1 48:19) — (3:19) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 15–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 9 (Q2 38:32) — (8:32) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short middle to 23-F.Gore for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 38:26) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 7 (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the IND 2 (Q2 34:04); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 5 (Q2 30:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 11-M.Wheaton for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 30:10) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 68 (Q3 27:44) — (12:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 27:35) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 17–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 5 (Q4 14:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 14:11) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the IND 24 (Q4 6:33) — (6:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 78 (Q4 4:18); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 4:01) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:25) — (12:25) (No Huddle) 34-De.Williams left tackle to PIT 27 for 1 yard (55-N.Irving). FUMBLES (55-N.Irving), RECOVERED by IND-99-B.Winn at PIT 27. 99-B.Winn pushed ob at PIT 25 for 2 yards (73-R.Foster). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.12]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 59:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short middle intended for 80-C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by 95-Jar.Jones at PIT 1. 95-Jar.Jones to PIT 6 for 5 yards (13-T.Hilton). [WPA -11.9% · EPA -3.61]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 60:00) — 1-P.McAfee kicks 73 yards from IND 35 to PIT -8. 13-Jac.Jones to PIT 11 for 19 yards (91-J.Newsome). FUMBLES (91-J.Newsome), RECOVERED by IND-30-D.Smith at PIT 11. 30-D.Smith to PIT 11 for no gain (57 [WPA -9.4% · EPA -5.65]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 81-J.James to IND 29 for 20 yards (20-D.Butler). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +1.40]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 49:11) — (4:11) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short left intended for 17-G.Whalen INTERCEPTED by 25-B.Boykin (22-W.Gay) at IND 38. 25-B.Boykin to IND 37 for 1 yard (80-C.Fleener). The Replay Official reviewed [WPA -8.6% · EPA -2.79]

Impact plays

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 4:18) — (4:18) (Punt formation) 1-P.McAfee punts 49 yards to PIT 29, Center-45-M.Overton. 84-A.Brown for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-84-A.Brown, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between dow [WPA -0.0% · EPA -6.02]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at PIT 22 for -9 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison) [92-J.Harrison], RECOVERED by PIT-98-V.Williams at PIT 22. 98-V.Williams to PIT 22 for no gain ( [WPA -0.5% · EPA -6.00]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 27:44) — (12:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.5% · EPA +5.85]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 60:00) — 1-P.McAfee kicks 73 yards from IND 35 to PIT -8. 13-Jac.Jones to PIT 11 for 19 yards (91-J.Newsome). FUMBLES (91-J.Newsome), RECOVERED by IND-30-D.Smith at PIT 11. 30-D.Smith to PIT 11 for no gain (57 [WPA -9.4% · EPA -5.65]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · +8.2% CPOE · +0.53 EPA/play · +23.00 total EPA
• M.Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts) · 30 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · -3.6% CPOE · -0.43 EPA/play · -12.94 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 (+0.16 vs -0.29), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, -22.18 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +13.86 total EPA, 7 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.
• M. Hasselbeck (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 55:23 · PIT 17 · Score 3-0
   (10:23) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 50:30 · IND 11 · Score 3-3
   (5:30) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 48:19 · IND 32 · Score 3-6
   (3:19) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
4. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 38:32 · PIT 9 · Score 9-6
   (8:32) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short middle to 23-F.Gore for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 38:26 · PIT 15 · Score 10-6
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 34:08 · IND 7 · Score 10-12
   (4:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q2 34:04 · IND 2 · Score 10-14
   (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 46-W.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on IND-91-J.Newsome, Defensive Hol
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:14 · IND 5 · Score 10-20
   (:14) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 11-M.Wheaton for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:10 · IND 15 · Score 10-21
   9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 27:44 · IND 68 · Score 10-27
    (12:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-M.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 27:35 · IND 15 · Score 10-28
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 14:15 · IND 5 · Score 10-34
    (14:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 14:11 · IND 15 · Score 10-35
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 6:33 · IND 24 · Score 10-38
    (6:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 4:18 · PIT 78 · Score 10-44
    (4:18) (Punt formation) 1-P.McAfee punts 49 yards to PIT 29, Center-45-M.Overton. 84-A.Brown for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-84-A.Brown, Unsportsmanlike
16. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 4:01 · IND 15 · Score 10-45
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.