Steelers Now
The Indianapolis Colts are 1-16 in Pittsburgh since 1970’s AFL-NFL merger. Can the Steelers continue this trend and bounce back Sunday?
The Pittsburgh Steelers aim to end their two-game losing streak Sunday. However, they will be tasked to do so against a red-hot Indianapolis Colts team. The last two games have been brutal for the Steelers in Indianapolis. However, Pittsburgh has not been a kind location for the Colts since the merger.
The last time the Colts won in Pittsburgh was 2008, when Peyton Manning ignited a Colts nine-game win streak. Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, which proved to be the difference in a 24-20 loss.
That victory was their only one since the AFL-NFL merger. Indianapolis has traveled to the Steelers’ home and is 2-17 all-time in Pittsburgh, with a 1-16 record since 1970.
These games include two playoff games. Most notably, Colts fans will remember the 1995 AFC Championship games where a last second Hail Mary ended in controversy. Despite the close call, the Steelers walked away victorious 20-16. This was Bill Cowher’s first of two career AFC Championship wins.
In the regular season, recent history has shown the curse in real time. In 2020, the Colts blew a 24-7 lead to lose 28-24. In 2019, Adam Vinatieri missed a 43-yard field goal to lose 26-24.
Maybe the most memorable for Steelers fans was when Roethlisberger made history. In 2014, he threw six touchdowns and over 500 yards to deliver a 51-34 win. The victory accelerated the “Killer B’s” era as Martavis Bryant, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell all had big days in addition to Roethlisberger’s.
History may not matter this week, however. Prior to this past Sunday, the Green Bay Packers hadn’t won in Pittsburgh since 1970. These Colts are not just 7-1–they are playing like the best team in football.
The Colts are dominating bad teams and beating good teams. The Steelers will need every bit of help come Sunday. Maybe the luck of the land will help the home team once again this week.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Pittsburgh Has Been a House of Horrors for the Colts
