Broncos at Steelers Open Thread/Live Blog | Week 2
The Denver Broncos will roll into an empty Heinz Field as 7.5-point underdogs on Sunday. The oddsmakers view the Pittsburgh Steelers as overwhelmingly superior to the Broncos.
That's actually quite the spread. Almost disrespectful, if you're the Broncos.
Pittsburgh is good, but is it that good? It took the better part of four quarters for Ben Roethlisberger and company to soundly put away Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. It wasn't exactly what I'd call a display of dominance.
One thing the Broncos have in common with the Giants is a second-year starting quarterback. How will Drew Lock perform in what will be just his third career road start? Time will tell.
Join us as we live-blog and discuss DENvsPIT here in our weekly Open Thread. Dive into the conversation — it's easy — by simply going to the top of the site and in the bottom right-hand corner of the Mile High Huddle logo, click the follow button.
You can log in with Facebook or Google and either way, it's free. From there, sound off in the comment section and share your reactions and observations with our staff, subscribers, and fellow members of the MHH community as we react to the game in real-time.
What to Watch For
• DL Jurrell Casey needs one tackle to become the fourth active defensive lineman (Calais Campbel, Bal,; Linval Joseph, LAC; Ndamukong Suh, T.B.) with 500 defensive tackles in his career.
• QB Drew Lock can become the first Broncos signal-caller since Peyton Manning in 2014 (10/5-10/23) to record four consecutive games with a QB rating greater than 90.0
• K Brandon McManus needs one field goal to pass Matt Prater (141) for third all-time in team history
Inactives
First Quarter
Broncos' wideout Courtland Sutton is active for Pittsburgh.
Lock goes to Sutton on opening play, connecting for 20 yards.
Broncos get a fortuitous pass interference penalty on Joe Haden on third down. Moves the chains again.
Lock and company stall on the next set of three. Punt.
Broncos force three-and-out on Pittsburgh's first possession. Punt.
After some nice running by Melvin Gordon, the Broncos turn it over when Lock is hit hard from behind. Fumble. Receovered by Pittsburgh.
Lock looks banged-up. Goes into medical tent.
Steelers moving the ball with wide-open crossing routes. Big-time separation.
Michael Ojemudia drops an interception in the end zone.
Steelers punch it in with a 2-yard touchdown plunge by James Conner.
Steelers 7, Broncos 0
Lock heads to the locker room.
First down, Jeff Driskel enters the game and throws a strike to Jerry Jeudy, who picks up yards after the catch. 20-yard gain.
KJ Hamler gets his first touch as a Bronco, a solid gain of nine yards.
Broncos stall after Gordon gets stuffed for a loss on second down and Driskell fires incomplete on third down. Punt.
Drew Lock is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Mike Purcell gets a sack on Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers stall. Punt.
Diontae Spencer returns the punt nine yards to the Steelers' 36-yard line.
End of first quarter.
Steelers 7, Broncos 0
Second Quarter
Driskell hits Jeudy again for a 19-yard gain.
Nick Vannett jumps early. False start.
Broncos stall. Brandon McManus connects for 48-yard field goal.
Steelers 7, Broncos 3
Lock has been ruled out. Driskel captains the ship from here.
Broncos have a nice series on defense, breaking up a couple of Roethlisberger passes. Simmons gets home on the third-down blitz, batted down the pass. Punt.
Driskel hits Jeudy on third down for a 15-yard gain. Jeudy shaken up on the play.
Roethlisberger hits rookie Chase Claypool for an 85-yard touchdown. Ojemudia torched in single coverage.
Steelers 14, Broncos 3
Broncos stall and Vic Fangio opts for the 58-yard field goal try. No good. Wide right.
Broncos force the Steelers to punt on ensuing possession. Touchback.
Driskel hits Sutton on a slant but it slips through his hands and is picked off. Steelers in business.
Broncos hold them to a field goal.
Steelers 17, Broncos 3
Third Quarter
Steelers receive.
Roethlisberger picked off by Justin Simmons, Alexander Johnson negates a big return with a foolish block in the back on Big Ben.
Broncos drive to the 5-yard line but three inept passing plays later, including a first-down sack, have to settle for the chip-shot field goal.
Steelers 17, Broncos 6
Steelers threaten, cross the 50-yard line and decide to go for it on 4th-&-2. Incomplete. Turnover on downs.
Broncos drive the distance, punctuate drive with a Noah Fant touchdown. Two-point conversion is good, as Fant again hauls in the pass.
Steelers 17, Broncos 14
Fourth Quarter
Steelers answer with a nine-play, 75-yard drive as Roethlisberger hits Diontae Johnson for a 28-yard score. Ojemudia burned again.
Steelers 24, Broncos 14.
Broncos can't answer. Three-and-out. Punt snap is dropped by Sam Martin. Safety.
Steelers 26, Broncos 14
Johnson returns safety kick 24 yards.
Benny Snell fumbles on first down. Kareem Jackson recovers. Broncos in business on their own 48-yard line with 9:41 to go in the fourth quarter.
Garett Bolles called for holding on a first-down run by Gordon. Brings up 1st-&-20.
Driskel hits Hamler for a 19-yard gain.
Broncos score on a 16-yard touchdown pass to Gordon. Great catch by the running back.
Steelers 26, Broncos 21
Broncos drive deep into Steelers' territory. On 4th-&-2, a free rusher sacks Driskel, who inexplicably doesn't throw it up. Takes the sack. Broncos still have three timeouts but we're at 1:44.
Broncos let Conner pick up 59 yards on a second-down carry. Egregious.
