If the Broncos are going to go out of the playoffs kicking and screaming as John Elway wanted them to, they’re going to have to do it in the second half of their Divisional Playoff matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Through one half of football, they played the Steelers close, but tentatively, and trail by one, 10-9, at the half. Denver had all the momentum to start, but the offense couldn’t get into gear and the Steelers eventually made them pay.
After the defense forced a three-and-out to open the game, Omar Bolden took a punt 42 yard on the return to give the Broncos great opening field position. Peyton Manning completed two of his first three passes, but Denver could only garner one first down (on the first play) and were forced to settle for a 28-yard Brandon McManus field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Pittsburgh avoided a three-and-out on the next drive when Sammie Coates got around Chris Harris Jr. and went 37 yards into Denver territory. The Denver defense held fast again and forced a fourth-and-one from the Denver 32 that saw Roethlisberger take another deep shot, this time into the end zone. Aqib Talib was there for breakup and the change of possession back to the Broncos.
Denver went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, failing to convert a trick play direct-snap to Ronnie Hillman on third and two. Manning moved out of the backfield and gestured wildly along the line when Hillman took the snap and was hit behind the line of scrimmage.
Denver took over with great field position after forcing a three-and-out and a poor punt by Pittsburgh gave Denver the ball at the Steelers’ 31. After a nine-yard Ronnie Hillman run to start the drive, the Broncos moved backwards on the next play and couldn’t complete a third down pass, having to settle again for three points.
Pittsburgh responded on their next drive with a huge reverse by Martavis Bryant for 40 yards. In just five plays, the Steelers had gone 80 yards and taken the lead after a 15-yard run and a one-yard touchdown run by Fitzgerald Toussaint.
Manning and head coach Gary Kubiak decided to pick up the pace on Denver’s ensuing possession, going no-huddle and picking up 38 yards on four plays, including a big third-down conversion by Virgil Green, to bring the first quarter to an end. But after the flip, Denver couldn’t generate a positive play and had to punt.
The defense needed a stop to keep Pittsburgh’s momentum in check, but Ben Roethlisberger found Darrius Heyward-Bey wide open on a third-and-five and took the ball 58 yards to the Denver 22. Denver bent but didn’t break, though, and held the Steelers to a 43-yard field goal, but momentum was fully to the black and yellow.
Denver had its second three-and-out as a wide-open C.J. Anderson dropped an easy first down on the very next possession. A team that was expected to go out kicking and screaming appeared to be playing with the huge weight of expectations on their shoulders. The defense responded with a huge stop, however, getting a big sack on Roethlisberger on third down to force a trade of punts.
The Broncos again got good field position after a third poor punt by Jordan Berry, but the Broncos offense again couldn’t start moving the ball. Bennie Fowler had consecutive drops and Anderson was cut short on third down. Feeling the game already slipping away, Gary Kubiak went for it on fourth and three from the fourth and three. Emmanuel Sanders got a hand on the ball, but a massive hit caused an interception and another failed possession for Denver.
Wade Phillips got aggressive on the next series and snuffed out a Pittsburgh drive, but Manning and the offense had to take over at their own five yard line. A tough task for an offense that had struggled to convert a third down. C.J. Anderson finally broke a big run, for 34 yards to get Denver near the two-minute warning. It was Denver’s first offensive play of more than 20 yards on the day. Demaryius Thomas kept things rolling with Denver’s first third-down conversion of the day. Anderson picked up another first down and got the Broncos into field goal range with a run of 11 yards. Denver needed that run, as Manning was crushed on the ensuing second down and then fumbled the next snap.
McManus brought Denver within one on a very tough 51-yard field goal with the wind blowing heavily across the field to end the half and bring Denver within one, 10-9.
As always, the MHS team was there to chime in on the action as it unfolded. Here’s the best analysis, along with observations from other Denver media from the first half…
Ben Roethlisberger makes a downfield statement on the first play…
Roethlisberger showing right away he can air it out. Wow. #BroncosCountryPlayoffs #Steelers
— Daniel Mohrmann (@DanMohrmann) January 17, 2016
But that “in-com-plete” statement came at a price…
3 & out. T.J.Ward like a boss. #Broncos offense about to go. #ManningTime
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 17, 2016
Denver got into the red zone, but settled for a field goal…
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/688840324089655296
Pittsburgh converted a tough third down at the expense of Chris Harris…
#Broncos Chris Harris looks uncomfortable w left shoulder. Couldn't push WR out of bounds. Took himself out of game and threw helmet
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 17, 2016
On fourth-and-one, Roethlisberger took a shot at the end zone…
Broncos dared him to throw it. He did. And Talib made the play. That's what championship defenses do.
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) January 17, 2016
Pittsburgh was not fooled by the direct snap to Ronnie Hillman…
Broncos those types of shenanigans won't fly in the divisional round of the playoffs. Run a real play please
— Press Box Insider (@PBIOnAir) January 17, 2016
Denver had another great opportunity to put points on the board…
Special teams the difference early. #Broncos need to take advantage of this ugly punt with a touchdown.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 17, 2016
But again had to settle for only three…
Wasting opportunities. 6-0 Broncos.
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) January 17, 2016
The cautionary words were flowing as a result…
Broncos not taking advantage of great field position will come back to haunt them!
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) January 17, 2016
And in the blink of an eye, Pittsburgh had the lead…
In 2:18 the #Broncos lose lead on 5-play, 80-yard #Steelers drive. That's what FGs get you, a 7-6 Pitt lead.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 17, 2016
So Denver decided to pick up the pace…
Good. No huddle. Can't, for the life of me, understand why they don't do this more often. It's what PM does best and altitude kills.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 17, 2016
But they couldn’t keep the chains moving and set up a big possession…
Better get em off the field right here. Can't afford to let Big Ben hang around and get confidence
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) January 17, 2016
A miscommunication gave up a big gain for the Steelers…
Roby turned around, looking short as though he thought there'd be a safety to help deep. Safety came up. Totally blown coverage.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 17, 2016
Pittsburgh put more points on the board to extend the lead to four…
Very windy. Boswell drills it. #Steelers 10 #Broncos 6
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 17, 2016
Denver’s defensive issues were mostly on two plays…
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/688852403181858816
But on offense, the offense had their struggles too…
C.J. Anderson wide open … and he dropped it. This team is wound way too tight.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 17, 2016
The defense answered the bell on the next possession though…
Derek Wolfe, who got paid on Friday, produces sack.. That's two sacks for #Broncos.. Inside pressure working best
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 17, 2016
Denver’s uptight play continued, and another possession was lost…
Never thought I'd say this… But it's time to take #Broncos Fowler out of the game for Latimer.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) January 17, 2016
Denver got the ball back and C.J. Anderson made it interesting…
Broncos were just gonna run the clock. Cj Anderson with the play of the day. Get points here and get ball back. Gotta have it
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) January 17, 2016
Denver got into field goal range, but again tensed up and couldn’t get in the end zone…
Shaky, shaky #Broncos right now.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 17, 2016
Brandon McManus hit a big field goal into a stiff wind, though to keep it within one…
McManus needs to aim this at Aurora so it blows toward Lakewood
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) January 17, 2016