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Manning rallies Colts past Steelers

Nov 10, 2008 - 3:02 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Indianapolis Colts suddenly have life in the playoff race.

Peyton Manning capped a dramatic comeback by throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Rhodes with 3:04 remaining as the Colts posted a 24-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Colts recorded their first win in Pittsburgh since 1968, when the franchise was located in Baltimore. The had lost their previous 10 visits to the Steel City.

"It's a pretty tough place to play," Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez said. "I was thinking the other day. Green Bay and Pittsburgh are probably the two most rabid, historic franchises that there are, so this is big for us."

This one could have saved the Colts' season. Coming off an 18-15 win over the New England Patriots, Indianapolis (5-4) has won two straight games to climb over .500.

Manning was off target on a number of his throws, but he still tossed three interceptions, rallying the Colts from a 17-7 deficit in the second quarter.

Playing with a slightly separated shoulder, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three critical interceptions.

"You always like those (turnovers) as an offense," Manning said. "There haven't been a lot of turnovers lately, defensively. I know it's been a real mindset to create turnovers. It was important for us to capitalize and turn them into touchdowns, and we did."

The first came with 1:24 left in the first half and gave the Colts a spark. Manning took advantage of the mistake, tossing a 2-yard TD pass to Dallas Clark with six seconds left in the half to pull Indianapolis within 17-14.

Roethlisberger's second pick was even more costly, as it basically decided the game. Safety Tim Jennings intercepted him at the Steelers' 30-yard line, setting up Rhodes' winning score.

The loss dropped Pittsburgh into a tie with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North.

"It's frustrating because you feel like you played well," said Roethlisberger, who completed 30-of-42 passes for 284 yards. "I take it on myself. I let the guys down, offense and defense, but the good thing is it's not the end of the season. We'll come back."

Rhodes picked up a first down with a 4-yard gain on 3rd-and-1, then found himself wide open inside the 5 on the right sideline for an easy score.

"It was a great play by Rhodes," added Manning, who completed 21-of-40 passes for 240 yards. "Play-action pass off the stretch fake. Dominic made a good play and it's credit to him for being ready."

Roethlisberger tried to answer, completing four passes on the ensuing drive. But a holding penalty and sack by Dwight Freeney left the Steelers with a 3rd-and-21 at the Colts 43.

Roethlisberger completed a 16-yard pass to Mewelde Moore over the middle, but the Steelers were out of timeouts, forcing them to scramble to get off a final play.

With time running out, Roethlisberger attempted a "Hail Mary" pass into the end zone that was deflected and intercepted by cornerback Melvin Bullitt.

"It's a 60-minute ballgame and you have to play every play like it's your last play," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "They made more plays today."

After the Colts tied it, 17-17, on Adam Vinatieri's 36-yard field goal with 8:14 left in the third period, the Steelers put together a vintage drive that consumed more than 8 1/2 minutes.

But the Colts' defense stiffened, twice stopping Moore from the 1-yard line on second and third downs.

The Steelers settled for a field goal as Jeff Reed's 24-yard kick put the Steelers ahead, 20-17, with 7:57 remaining.

The Steelers forced a three-and-out, but the Colts got back the ball just three players later on the pick by Jennings, who out-fought Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes for the ball.

"We hung in there and made plays when it counted," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "Our defense got some takeaways and our offense took advantage. All in all, very satisfying."

The Steelers were without running back Willie Parker, who sat out with a shoulder injury and has missed five of the last six games.

Mewelde Moore rushed for 55 yards on 24 carries for the Steelers, including a pair of 1-yard TD runs in the first half.