The Steelers shutout the Broncos in the second half and erased a 17 point deficit for a huge power shifting AFC win. It was a tale of two halves as the Steelers battled back after a very rocky first half.
Denver hadn’t scored an offensive touchdown in their previous 23 possessions, but after a very costly fumble on their first series, opened up with four consecutive touchdowns to take a 27-13 halftime lead. Manny Sanders was on pace to have a huge day as the Broncos converted eight straight 3rd downs. The Steelers pass rush just couldn’t get to Ross Osweiler and the secondary kept missing assignments.
Whatever adjustments the Steelers made at halftime swung the game around and the Broncos didn’t score on their last nine possessions and went 1 for 9 on 3rd down conversions. It was a monumental task.
The offense had trouble with the front seven but again made the adjustments. Antonio Brown had a huge day reeling in 16 catches and absolutely abusing Pro Bowler Chris Harris Jr. The line protected Ben Roethlisberger and with the exception of a near fatal interception with two minutes left in the game. He finished 40 of 55 for 380 yards against the league’s No. 1 pass defense his fifth 300-yard game in the past six outings. The Steelers were the first team to put up 30 against the Broncos number 1 defense!
The coaches needed to make adjustments and they did, coming back from a 27-10 deficit to score 24 unanswered points, it is a testament to the strength of the Steelers coaching on both sides of the ball.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!!!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Antonio Brown, which was unanimous for myself and Captain Tailgate. He had a ridiculous 16 catch day. Also Considered: Ryan Shazier, who was scary good. Ben Roethlisberger who put up 380 yards against the Broncos number one ranked defense.
Where I watched the game: I have been staring home with the “Tailgate Kids” every week, The beer of choice was Samuel Adams Cold Snap, which I am now 3-0 with (conserving my beer supply). We had sausage and peppers before the game started. KGB made homemade Egg Nog! Awesome game, awesome time.
My Stat of the week: 1-9 3rd Down conversions for the Broncos in the second half. The Steelers defense really stepped up in the 2nd half!
My thoughts on Next Week: The Steelers can afford to have no let up against a dangerous but seriously flawed Ravens team. This is payback. The Steelers are going to put a whipping on the Ravens.