The Steelers could easily find themselves in a position where they are battling the Broncos for seeding, and a big head-to-head win over them would be massive. It seemed that in consecutive weeks in the first half of the season, the Steelers would lose a key component of the formula for an extended period of time.
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“We all knew we played like crap in the first half and I think we just really had to wake up”, Cameron Heyward said.
“He came in this morning and was a little sore, so we just said, ‘OK, we’ll stop for the weekend and we’ll go from there, ‘ so we’ll pick back up on Monday”, Kubiak said.
It’s an interesting matchup because the Steelers are the best offense the Broncos have faced, while the Broncos are the best defense the Steelers have faced.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers rallied for a 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Ben Roethlisberger threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown after a Ryan Shazier interception to give the Steelers a 34-27 comeback victory over the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field.
Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant found plenty of room to maneuver against Denver’s secondary, dubbed the No Fly Zone by stars Aqib Talib and Chris Harris.
After playing only 13 minutes, 13 seconds in the first two quarters, the Broncos’ defense was on the field for 18:03 in the second half.
“He’s working his tail off to get back on the field”, Denver coach Gary Kubiak said.
“Everybody in the United States thought this would be one of those games where the Broncos would click on all cylinders for four quarters”. For the most part, Osweiler also showed an improved awareness in the pocket when the Broncos’ offense was rolling in the first half. Backup Brook Osweiler did not help his chances of remaining the starter with a poor second half in which he completed just 7 of 26 passes for 82 yards. The run game has been stale, and the pass protection has failed Osweiler for sure, which has led to his play declining as a result. “We’re a work in progress and we’re going to continuously work”.
The Broncos had gone 24 straight possessions without an offensive touchdown before reaching the end zone four straight times to lead 27-10. Denver is giving up just 188.2 passing yards per game this season and the Broncos also allow the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers at just 9.5 per game. Osweiler finished the game going 21/44 (44%), for 296 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Brock Osweiler spent two glorious quarters confounding the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shamarko Thomas looked to down the ball but Jordan Norwood then picked it up and ran 71 yards for an apparent touchdown.
“I don’t think about guys’ stats”, Brown said.
Later, facing a fourth-and-10 with 1:40 left, Osweiler’s last throw – intended for Sanders – fell incomplete at the Steelers 41 with the Broncos needing a touchdown to tie.
On the season, the Denver Broncos average 236.9 yards in passing and 104.8 yards in rushing. After an early, but brief seven-point deficit, Brock Osweiler lead the Broncos to a 27-13 halftime lead with stellar play on third downs and some magnificent plays.
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“You want to be the best, you’ve got to be the best”, Brown said. One, they do have the league’s No. 1 defense.
