Game story
In Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-27, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 28–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +8.07 total EPA, and +1.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.07 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-20.4% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (14:46) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers sacked at IND 24 for -8 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt), touched at IND 23, RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at IND 17. 28-M.Hilton to IND 3 for 14 yards (28-J.Taylor)
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +8.07 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 2 J. Taylor · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +3.78 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 3 J. Doyle · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.10 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 4 Z. Pascal · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 5 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.72 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 6 J. Conner · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 7 N. Hines · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +1.76 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 8 M. Alie-Cox · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+8.07) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 54 counted snaps, they averaged +0.15 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.55 EPA) came from Indianapolis Colts: (14:46) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers sacked at IND 24 for -8 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt), touched at IND 23, RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at IND 17. 28-M.Hilton to IND 3 for 14 yards (28-J.Taylor).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Conner
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor
- Indianapolis Colts — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger
- Pittsburgh Steelers — E. Ebron (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- Indianapolis Colts — R. Blankenship
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 6 (Q1 54:51) — (9:51) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 54:48) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q2 43:50) — (13:50) 30-J.Conner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 43:47) — 16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q2 36:40) — (6:40) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 36:35) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the PIT 42 (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 14-Z.Pascal for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 34:02) — 3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q3 24:25) — (9:25) 3-R.Blankenship 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 39 (Q3 18:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 18:16) — 16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 5 (Q4 14:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 85-E.Ebron for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 14:52) — 16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the IND 25 (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 7:38) — 16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2 44:46) — (14:46) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers sacked at IND 24 for -8 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt), touched at IND 23, RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at IND 17. 28-M.Hilton to IND 3 for 14 yards (28-J.Taylor)
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete deep right to 14-Z.Pascal [56-A.Highsmith].
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:39) — (1:39) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-T.Hilton pushed ob at PIT 35 for 21 yards (39-M.Fitzpatrick).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left intended for 13-T.Hilton INTERCEPTED by 22-S.Nelson at IND 44. 22-S.Nelson to IND 44 for no gain. PENALTY on PIT-22-S.Nelson, Defensive Pass Interference,
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2 44:46) — (14:46) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers sacked at IND 24 for -8 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt), touched at IND 23, RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at IND 17. 28-M.Hilton to IND 3 for 14 yards (28-J.Taylor)
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 14-Z.Pascal for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 18:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 58:06) — (13:06) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 11-M.Pittman to PIT 42 for 26 yards (34-Te.Edmunds).
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) · 54 dropbacks · 63.0% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +8.07 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Indianapolis Colts) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +0.5% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -5.20 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Indianapolis Colts | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.007 | +0.011 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.6% | 49.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.127 | +0.149 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.236 | -0.291 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.011 | +0.007 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.6% | 49.4% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Indianapolis Colts -0.01, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.01) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, -0.60 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +0.97 total EPA, 4 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 54:51 · PIT 6 · Score 6-0
(9:51) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 54:48 · PIT 15 · Score 7-0
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 43:50 · IND 1 · Score 7-6
(13:50) 30-J.Conner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 43:47 · IND 15 · Score 7-7
16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 36:40 · PIT 1 · Score 13-7
(6:40) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 36:35 · PIT 15 · Score 14-7
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 34:08 · PIT 42 · Score 20-7
(4:08) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 14-Z.Pascal for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 34:02 · PIT 15 · Score 21-7
3-R.Blankenship extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 24:25 · PIT 10 · Score 24-7
(9:25) 3-R.Blankenship 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 18:23 · IND 39 · Score 24-13
(3:23) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-Di.Johnson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 18:16 · IND 15 · Score 24-14
16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 14:57 · IND 5 · Score 24-20
(14:57) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 85-E.Ebron for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 14:52 · IND 15 · Score 24-21
16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 7:43 · IND 25 · Score 24-27
(7:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 7:38 · IND 15 · Score 24-28
16-M.Wright extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-24 in Week 16, 2020 on 2020-12-27.
What was the final score of Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Indianapolis Colts 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 28 (IND 24-28 PIT) in Week 16, 2020 on 2020-12-27.
What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Indianapolis Colts 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Final: Indianapolis Colts 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q1 54:51) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Conner (Q2 43:50) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q2 36:40) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Pascal (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 34:08) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 18:23) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — E. Ebron (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 14:57) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 7:43) Indianapolis Colts field goal — R. Blankenship (Q3 24:25, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 63.0% completion, +1.0% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +8.07 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Indianapolis Colts), 51.2% completion, +0.5% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -5.20 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +8.07 on passing plays. across 54 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.55 EPA): (14:46) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers sacked at IND 24 for -8 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt), touched at IND 23, RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at IND 17. 28-M.Hilton to IND 3 for 14. The biggest win-probability swing was -20.4%.
Was Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 28-24 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 10-4 Now 10-5 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-3 Now 12-3 W
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