Denver Dismantled: Five Game-Changing Plays from the Broncos-Steelers Showdown

On Monday Night Football, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) traveled to face the Denver Broncos (6-2). The Steelers dominated the Broncos and went on to beat them by a score of 28-10.

This game was supposed to be a favorable matchup for Denver, however, Pittsburgh’s “D” made the Broncos’ offense look incompetent and “Big” Ben Roethlisberger punished Denver’s defense with his three passing touchdowns.

Here are five plays that made the difference in this AFC showdown:

1. Tyrone Carter’s Pick Six

It was the third play of the second quarter.

The Broncos had the ball, 1st-and-10, on their own 42 yard line.

Kyle Orton dropped back and checked through his progressions until he decided to dump it off to running back, Knowshon Moreno, crossing short over the middle of the field.

Orton led Moreno by too much and Steelers’ player, Tyrone Cater, stepped in front of Moreno, intercepted the ball, and returned it 48 yards for the touchdown.

This put the Steelers up 7-3 and damaged the morale of the now trailing Broncos who had held Pittsburgh to only two first downs in the first quarter.

2. Jabar Gaffney’s Drop on Third Down

On the following possession after Pittsburgh’s interception return, the Broncos appeared to be poised for another scoring drive.

It was 3rd-and-five, on the Steelers’ 39 yard line. Kyle Orton threw left to Jabar Gaffney at the sideline for what appeared to be a first down.

Then, as Gaffney was falling out of bounds, the ball was jarred loose by Pittsburgh’s defender and it was ruled an incomplete pass.

Denver coach, Josh McDaniels, challenged the play, but the ruling on the field was confirmed. The Broncos ended up going for it on fourth down and converted the first down.

However, there was a holding penalty on the play and Denver was forced to punt.

If Gaffney had been able to secure the ball, the Broncos could have scored instead of ending their drive and being forced to punt.

A score on this drive would have swung the momentum in Denver’s favor as they headed into halftime. But, instead they headed into halftime down 7-3 without giving up a single score to the Steelers’ offense.

3. Robert Ayers’ Fumble Recovery Touchdown

On the opening possession of the third quarter, Pittsburgh had just completed a pass for a first down.

Then on a 1st-and-10, as Roethlisberger dropped back to pass, Kenny Peterson strip sacked “Big Ben”.

Broncos’ rookie linebacker, Robert Ayers, picked up the loose ball and ran it to the house 54 yards for the score.

This put Denver up 10-7 and the game began to look favorable for the Broncos and their fans.

4. Rashard Mendenhall’s 24 Yard Run

After the Broncos scored to go up 10-7, Pittsburgh opened up the playbook and quickly marched down the field and scored in only four plays.

The pivotal play in this drive was the second play of the drive.

Rashard Mendenhall took the hand off from Roethlisberger and sprinted up the right side of the field for 24 yards.

This seemed to set a precedent for the rest of the game. From that point on, Denver seemed unable to tackle any of the Steelers’ running backs before they gained substantial yardage.

Pittsburgh would go on to score two plays later on a short pass to Hines Ward and take the lead 14-10.

5. Mike Wallace’s 25 Yard Touchdown Reception

Now in the fourth quarter with Pittsburgh still up 14-10, Kyle Orton was intercepted by Troy Polamalu. This gave the Steelers the ball on Denver’s 25 yard line.

The Broncos hoped to hold Pittsburgh to a field goal so that they could stay within one score. A touchdown was worst case scenario.

On third down, Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace connected for a 25 yard score, delivering a dagger to the hearts of Broncos’ players and fans.

This put the Steelers up 21-10 and a comeback seemed unlikely for the Broncos.

Which ended up being true.

The Broncos lost 28-10 and dropped their second game of the season.

 

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Denver Broncos: Keys To the Pittsburgh Steelers Game

1. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. They rank fifth in yards per game and have a talented QB and receivers. The Broncos need to disrupt this passing game if they plan on shutting down the Steelers.

If the Broncos can put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and not give him enough time for his receiver’s routes to develop, it would go a long way towards shutting down the Steelers aerial game. It might even force a few turnovers.

Mike Nolan is sure to have a bunch of blitzes dialed for this game and hopefully the Broncos defensive players will be able to wrap up Big Ben and take him down before he gets the ball out to the likes of Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.

 

2. Establish the Run

This is going to be a tough task for the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh has the best run defense in the NFL and some of the league’s most physical defenders.

If the Broncos can establish the run with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter and force the Steelers to over-commit in the box, that will open up the passing game and allow Kyle Orton to get the ball to his receivers in open space.

 

3. Get ahead early

So far in 2009, Denver has been a second-half team. Even though they often find themselves trailing at halftime, they have been able to comeback and win in the second half.

Physical teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Steelers are not easy to come from behind against. The Broncos learned this last week against the Ravens and were dealt their first loss of the season.

If the Broncos can put the first points on the board and get out to an early lead, it will be a daunting task for the Steelers to comeback on the road.

 

4. Someone Needs To Have a Big Game for the Broncos

This nationally televised game should be a heated contest between two of the game’s best. In big games like this, teams need big-time performances.

If Denver is hoping to get a “W” in this one, they need a monster individual game from someone.

Whether its two-plus sacks for Elvis Dumervil, multiple touchdowns from Brandon Marshall, an interception by Champ Bailey or Brian Dawkins, or a near perfect passing day by Kyle Orton, the Broncos are going to need someone to step up if they want to beat the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

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