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Manning, Colts Rally To Beat Steelers

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The Associated Press

Published: November 10, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in his fifth season. That doesn't mean he still can't learn a valuable lesson from Peyton Manning: Sometimes, inaccuracy beats impatience.

Manning took advantage of Roethlisberger's fourth-quarter interception to find Dominic Rhodes out of the backfield on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 3:04 remaining for Indianapolis' only lead, and the Colts rallied in a virtual must-win game to beat the Steelers 24-20 on Sunday.

Manning also hit Reggie Wayne on a 65-yard touchdown pass play on a tipped ball that wasn't well thrown and Dallas Clark on a 2-yard scoring pass six seconds before halftime following an unnecessary interception by Roethlisberger, helping end the Colts' 40-year losing streak in Pittsburgh.

"Coach Mike Tomlin told us all week they are a team that likes to score before the half and at the end of the game," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "That's what happened to us."

The Colts (5-4) had dropped their last 12 in Pittsburgh counting the postseason, dating to a 41-7 win in 1968 when the Steelers played at now-demolished Pitt Stadium.

"They certainly are tough to get here in Pittsburgh," Colts coach Tony Dungy said.

Except by teams quarterbacked by Mannings.

Pittsburgh (6-3) lost to a Manning-led team at home for the second time in three weeks despite leading 20-17 on Jeff Reed's 24-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter. They were beaten by Eli Manning's Giants 21-14 on Oct. 26, again after a fourth-quarter comeback.

The Steelers had a chance to win at the end, but Roethlisberger's pass into the end zone on the final play - with Nate Washington open briefly - was intercepted by Melvin Bullitt.

Rhodes accounted for all 32 yards on Indianapolis' game-winning drive that followed Tim Jennings' interception at the Steelers' 32 with 4:44 to play. The backup running back carried three times for 15 yards ahead of his TD catch, in which Manning froze the defense with a play-action fake.

Pit-Moore 1 run (Reed kick), 9:07.

Ind-Wayne 65 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 7:41.

Second Quarter

Pit-Moore 1 run (Reed kick), 13:21.

Pit-FG Reed 42, 4:18.

Ind-Clark 2 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), :06.

Third Quarter

Ind-FG Vinatieri 36, 8:14.

Fourth Quarter

Pit-FG Reed 24, 7:57.

Ind-Rhodes 17 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 3:04.

A-64,043.

RUSHING-Indianapolis, Addai 12-34, Rhodes 7-28. Pittsburgh, Moore 24-57, Holmes 1-(minus 1), Roethlisberger 1-(minus 1).

PASSING-Indianapolis, Manning 21-40-0-240. Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger 30-42-3-284.

RECEIVING-Indianapolis, Wayne 6-114, Gonzalez 4-26, Harrison 3-37, Clark 3-24, Rhodes 2-24, Addai 2-13, Garcon 1-2. Pittsburgh, Ward 9-116, Spaeth 6-53, Moore 6-48, Holmes 4-29, Washington 3-30, Baker 1-6, McHugh 1-2.

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