Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson watches as Colts defensive backs Jason David (42) and Mike Doss (20) celebrate after David intercepted a fourth quarter pass from Ben Roethlisberger intended for Wilson. Click photo for larger image. More Steelers Steelers start game in wrong defense, get burned for 80-yard TD Steelers Notebook: Staley gets shot as third-down back NFL Notebook: Ruling favors Webster estate Steelers Photo Journal: Game 11 Stats and more in the Sports Forecaster NFL Watch

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts' march toward NFL history rolled last night across the backs of the Steelers, who hung close for nearly a half before they became victim No. 11.

The Colts broke open a close game in the second half to win, 26-7. They ran their record to 11-0 in their attempt to become the first unbeaten NFL team since the 1972 Dolphins.

"No question, they're a great team, a great ballclub," receiver Hines Ward said.

The Steelers' season that once held so much promise now hangs on the brink. The Steelers (7-4) must defeat Cincinnati (8-3) Sunday in Heinz Field or fall two games out of first place in the AFC North with four to play.

"We have to regroup and play the biggest game we have this year, Cincinnati at home," coach Bill Cowher said.

After tying the second-longest NFL road winning streak at 11, the Steelers have dropped their past two on the road. It's also their first two-game losing streak since they lost five in a row in 2003.

Indianapolis is the first team other than New England to beat quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Back after missing three games following knee surgery, Roethlisberger looked to be OK and he played reasonably well, but he threw two interceptions, matching his season total entering the game. Roethlisberger completed 17 of 23 for 133 yards and was sacked three times.

The Steelers, eight-point underdogs, had to play nearly a perfect game to upset the Colts and they were far from it. They also figured they had to run on the Colts and they were unable to do that. Willie Parker had 43 yards rushing and Roethlisberger 21 as the Steelers managed only 86 yards on 25 carries. It was their fourth game under 90 this season.

"When teams play 'cover-2' you're supposed to be able to run against them and we couldn't," Ward said.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Running back Willie Parker gained half of the Steelers 86 yards rushing. But he had only 14 net yards until the Steelers' final series of the fourth quarter. Click photo for larger image.

Indianapolis did run, though, as Edgerrin James ended the Steelers' streak of 22 regular-season games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. He had 123 yards on 29 carries. The Colts outgained the Steelers, 366-197.

The Steelers' only touchdown came after Troy Polamalu intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and ran it back to the 7. Roethlisberger followed with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ward near the end of the first quarter and that was it. Jeff Reed missed a 41-yard field goal among many other failed opportunities for the Steelers.

"We weren't able to get anything going," said halfback Jerome Bettis, who had 9 yards rushing on six carries. "Obviously, nothing worked."

Manning threw touchdown passes of 80 yards to Marvin Harrison and 12 to Bryan Fletcher. The Colts' quarterback was not superb, but he was good enough. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 245 yards and he was sacked twice and threw one interception.

Mike Vanderjagt kicked four field goals for the Colts.

"Their defensive front pretty much dominated tonight, you can't deny that," Cowher said. "We just could never get anything going offensively and I think that wore on us defensively."

The first two plays of each team's series were telling. The Steelers, after the opening kickoff, ran Parker off right tackle for a 1-yard loss to start a three-and-out drive.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Colts defensive end Raheem Brock taunts Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked three times and held to 133 yards passing last night. Brock was not credited with any of the sacks. Click photo for larger image.

The Colts, on their first play, ran Harrison on a takeoff deep down the right sideline and Manning hit him with an 80-yard touchdown pass. Harrison was 6 yards behind cornerback Ike Taylor when he caught the ball.

"Eyes in the backfield," Taylor explained. "I was watching the play-action, looking at the run."

The Steelers had another three-and-out on their second series, losing 8 yards in the process. The Colts took the punt and made it 2 for 2, scoring on Vanderjagt's 29-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 6:07 left in the first quarter.

There was only one thing that seemingly would stop -- or at least slow down -- the Colts and that would be a turnover. Polamalu complied. From his 18, Manning threw deep but short of the mark over the middle toward Harrison. Polamalu leaped, intercepted it and returned it 36 yards to the Indianapolis 7.

A couple of penalties later, it was third down on the 12 when Roethlisberger rifled a pass to Ward between two defenders in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown that made the score, 10-7, and abruptly changed the tone of the game.

Reed had a chance to tie the score with 9:58 left in the first half, but his 41-yard field-goal try stayed to the left and was no good.

Vanderjagt came back with a 48-yard field goal to give the Colts a 13-7 lead.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Hines ward was open on a post pattern but couldn't get to this underthrown fourth quarter pass from Ben Roethlisberger. Click photo for larger image.

The Steelers drove into Colts territory with less than 30 seconds left, but Roethlisberger, scrambling to his right, underthrew Ward and safety Mike Doss intercepted it and returned it to the Steelers' 45. With just 15 seconds left, Harrison caught a 14-yard pass, James ran 5 yards and Vanderjagt kicked his third field goal of the first half, from 44 yards, for a 16-7 Indianapolis lead at the half.

The Steelers' defense did a good job on Manning in the first half after those first two scoring series, settling down and pressuring the Colts' quarterback into some bad throws.

An onside kick to start the second half backfired on the Steelers when the Colts recovered it at the 37.

"Trying to create a spark," Cowher said.

Instead, it blew up in his face when, on third down, Manning found Fletcher, a tight end, in a crowd over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown and a 23-7 Indianapolis lead.

Another mistake took the Steelers out of a scoring chance midway through the third quarter. They drove to the Colts' 32, where they had a fourth-and-2. They lined up in the I formation with Jerome Bettis, but rookie tackle Trai Essex was called for his second false start in four snaps. With the ball on the 37, they punted.

The Steelers had a fourth-and-4 at the Colts' 26 and more than 11 minutes left. Roethlisberger, from the shotgun, ran up the middle and was short a yard.

Indianapolis cornerback Jason David sealed the Steelers' doom when he intercepted Roethlisberger's pass for Cedrick Wilson with 5:31 at the Steelers' 36.