The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl triumph in the 2005 season wouldn’t have been possible without a roller coaster of a victory in the AFC Divisional against the Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The Steelers had traveled there as underdogs on January 15, 2006 to play an Indianapolis team led by by Peyton Manning, that had started the season 13-0. After three quarters, things were looking up for Pittsburgh: they led 21-3. But in the fourth quarter, the Colts stormed back with two touchdowns, including a 50-yard pass by Manning, cutting the Steelers lead to just 21-18. On a fourth down and long deep in Steelers’ territory, Manning was sacked – and the Steelers seemed poised for the upset. But then the sure-handed Steelers running back, Jerome Bettis, fumbled as he approached the goal line, the Colts’ Nick Harper recovered it and ran the other way for what looked like a game-winning touchdown. But Roethlisberger made a potentially season-saving tackle. The Colts moved the ball to the Steelers’ 28, but their kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, missed a 46-yard field goal that would have forced overtime. The Steelers won 21-18, then beat the Broncos for the AFC Championship, before winning the Super Bowl over Seattle. ― NFL 100
Box Score: Football Reference
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