Before I get down to “yinzing” I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

And a happy one it was.

The Steelers come away with their second straight road victory, as I take over the column in place of Eric Herrmann this time (who is currently suffering from an overdose of tryptophan).

I hope to do Eric right by offering my quick opinions on the game that was just played, and trust me, there’s quite a few things to yinz about.

Penalties

The Colts were penalized twice for 10 yards.

Either that’s disciplined football, or blind referees.

Now, I’m usually the one defending the officials left and right, since I know the thankless job they must endure, but to think that a team with a backup center, a backup quarterback, and a makeshift, poor defense, only committed two penalties in the entire game is disengenious.

I know someone somewhere is saying, “this guy” because the Steelers won. Well the game was a lot closer than it should’ve been, and several times I found myself screaming at the television looking for the same thing the zebras saw on the field.

You know, the play where Antonio Brown “held” Vontae Davis‘ arm (as so eloquently stated by Chris Collinsworth) when in fact, it was Davis who had his hand down the front of AB’s jersey, pulling on the inside of his pads.

Or perhaps the roughing the kicker penalty that wasn’t a roughing the kicker penalty tonight: only when it happens against the Steelers, apparently, as it did in Week 9 versus the Ravens.

The above play against Baltimore resulted in a 15 yard penalty and first down, while Jordan Berry getting wiped out in similar fashion, was only “running into the kicker” for 5 yards.

It’s significant, because it was still a 21-7 game, with 9:26 remaining. The Steelers should’ve had a first down, and could’ve chewed more clock.

No Fun League

Speaking of penalties and “seen it before” how on Earth is doing some patty cake after a TD two penalties?

I felt like head referee Walt Coleman was doing his best impression of The Count from Sesame Street. Several times during the game, he had not one (ah ah ah) flag against the Steelers, but two (ah ah ah) flags.

I’m sure Terry will cover this in her weekly WTF column. Maybe Walt too was suffering from tryptophan overload?

Either way, geesh, there needs to be some consistency!

Javon Hargrave

Was an absolute monster out there. Call him J-Wobble, Gravedigger, whatever. I’m going to call him “as expected”. That’s two games now where Hargrave has come up huge. He walks out of Indy with a sack, 2 QB hits, and 2 tackles for loss.

Beast.

Bend but don’t break

3rd and 15 don’t scare me!

Nor does 4th down scare Scott Tolzien… unless it’s in the redzone. He may have nightmares about that tonight.

The Steelers defense did just enough, getting to Tolzien officially three times. (The “sack” by Sean Davis was ruled to not be a sack. Bummer.)

Two interceptions, especially a timely one by Mike Mitchell and another by William Gay, were huge. Turnovers win games, and the defense forced two more by not allowing the Colts to convert on fourth down tries down by the goal line.

For that, they deserve praise.

They’re going to have tougher tests ahead, and yes it didn’t look amazingly pretty, but I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt, having a short week, and short rest, plus playing with a cushion, where it was obvious Keith Butler pulled the hounds back at times. (Shame on doing that by the way, because I really do think they should’ve just unleashed those hounds all game instead.)

Killer B’s

Ben Roethlisberger had a 146.0 QB rating, and for another game, did not throw an interception.

Antonio Brown had his first 3 touchdown game of his career.

Le’Veon Bell rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while adding 22 yards on 4 catches.

Need I say more?

These guys certainly deserved those postgame turkey legs!

Ferrari is warmed up

While AB is boomin’, the Ferarri is vroomin’.

Ladarius Green caught two long passes in this game for a total of 67 yards. Those were gains of 32 and 35 yards for the coveted free agent who finally saw some significant playing time. One of those plays was a 3rd and 13, where Green was mugged near the line of scrimmage, held and still broke free for the catch.

I’m looking forward to seeing more.

Conclusion

Mike Tomlin could get fined for complaining about the officiating again. I can’t blame him.

However, the Steelers overcame adversity thus far this season, and no have confidence and momentum in their favor as they head into December with 3 games at home, and a chance to pull ahead in the race for the AFC North crown.

Next up is the New York Giants, following a mini-bye due to the Thursday night game.