Broncos beat Steelers 23-16
The Denver Broncos begin their post-season journey to Super Bowl 50 by facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional round of the AFC Playoffs.
FIRST QUARTER:
On the first play of the game Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) launches a deep pass about 50 yards downfield, indicating his injury may not be a factor in the game.
Broncos force a Pittsburgh three-and-out, and on the ensuing punt Omar Bolden – fresh off an injury himself – returns it 42 yards to set Denver up with good field position.
Brandon McManus kicks 28 yard field goal to give Denver an early 3-0 lead over Pittsburgh.
Steelers put together a seven-play-48-yard drive, but a pass from Roethlisberger to Markus Wheaton on 4th & 1 falls incomplete and Pittsburgh turns the ball over on downs. Aqib Talib was in coverage on the play.
GREAT PLAY by Kayvon Webster on a Britton Colquitt punt to down the ball inside the five.
Another FIELD GOAL from Brandon McManus, this time from 41-yards out. Broncos lead Steelers 6-0 with 3:40 left in the 1st Quarter.
Pittsburgh’s Martavis Bryant rushes for 40 yards on an end-around, but more importantly Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. looks to have sustained an injury at the end of the play. Bradley Roby in at corner.
SECOND QUARTER:
Harris Jr. is back on the field for Denver, but a 58 yard pass play from Ben Roethlisberger to Darrius Heyward-Bey puts the Steelers in the red zone – Chris Boswell converts a 43 yard field goal to put Pittsburgh up 10-6.
The new 36-million-dollar man Derek Wolfe sacks Ben Roethlisberger on 3rd down to force a punt – Broncos take over at their 41 yard line with just under 7 minutes to play in the 2nd quarter.
Peyton Manning is 10/19 for 95 yards – I don’t have the numbers in front of me but I’d imagine about 4 or 5 of those incompletions were drops.
Oh dear lord – Manning just got walloped. Blind side shot by Will Allen. Peyton popped right back up, but that can’t feel good.
Brandon McManus nails a 51 yard field goal to close the half, we head to halftime with the Steelers leading the Broncos 10-9.
THIRD QUARTER:
We’re underway in the second half! The Broncos receive the kickoff, and on third down a pass interference call on William Gay gives Denver a fresh set of downs.
Martavis Bryant with another huge play for Pittsburgh, sets up the Steelers in the red zone.
Ugly kick from Chris Boswell, but it puts the Steelers up 13-9 from 28 yards out.
Manning fails to convert on 3rd down once again – Broncos are 1/10 on 3rd down today.
We’re headed towards the 3:00 mark in the 3rd quarter and the Broncos’ offense is starting to look a little more competent. Catches by Emmanuel Sanders and Jordan Norwood put Denver just on the edge of the red zone.
Broncos can’t convert on 3rd & 11 – McManus hits another 41-yard field goal and Denver cuts the Steelers’ lead to 13-12 with just under 3:00 to play in the 3rd.
FOURTH QUARTER:
What a Houdini act by Peyton Manning! The Sheriff escapes a quick rush by Will Allen and completes a pass to Emmanuel Sanders for 34 yards. Who said Peyton wasn’t athletic?
Officially it’s 7 drops for the Broncos so far today, not sure the cause but it’s severely hurting Denver’s offense.
Fumble by Fitzgerald Toussaint turns into a 1-yard plunge by C.J. Anderson for a Broncos TOUCHDOWN! Two point conversion is good to Demaryius Thomas, Denver now leads 20-13 with 3:00 left in the 4th quarter.
ORANGE CRUSH! The entire Denver defensive line teams up for a sack of Ben Roethlisberger on 4th down with 1:49 left. Steelers have two timeouts left, best case scenario they hold Broncos to a field goal and get the ball back with roughly 1:00 left.
Brandon McManus – absolutely clutch. Drains a 45 yard field goal – his 5th of the game (which ties a playoff record) – Broncos now lead 23-13 with under 1:00 to play.
Wow – what a play by Chris Harris Jr. on Markus Wheaton. Harris clearly dealing with a shoulder injury but breaks up a long completion.
Chris Boswell manages to give the Steelers a shred of hope by hitting a 47-yard field goal, cutting Denver’s lead to 23-16.
C.J. Anderson – also clutch. Recovers the onside kick, and that’ll do it!
FINAL: Denver Broncos WIN 23-16 over Pittsburgh Steelers, will host New England Patriots in AFC Championship.
