Pittsburgh – It pays to be in the notes. …
Great mystery of life No. 6,593: Why do opposing quarterbacks ignore Champ Bailey as they drive their teams downfield, then challenge him when they get near the end zone?
Bailey made two more interceptions in Sunday’s 31-20 victory over the Steelers, both at the Broncos’ 3-yard line. Nothing unusual there. Each of his five picks has come in the red zone, if not in the end zone.
“It’s odd,” Bailey said. “I didn’t even realize that, five picks inside the 5. I’ve never heard of that, never. What’s the deal? You tell me. You need to talk to these quarterbacks and find out what’s going on. Or rather, don’t talk to them. Keep them coming.” …
Here’s all you need to know about the Performers Formerly Known as Super Bowl Champions: The Steelers have 24 turnovers at the midway point of the season. That’s one more than they had in the entire 2005 season. …
Javon Walker says his knee problems are behind him. Gee, ya think? Dude has 39 catches for 669 yards and five touchdowns, putting him on pace for 78-1,338-10. He finished 89-1,382-12 in 2004, his breakout season with the Packers. …
Talk about stepping up in big games. The Broncos have been underdogs in two games – New England and Pittsburgh – and Walker has scored five TDs in those games. …
Walker’s 72-yard end-around gave him six carries for 120 yards. During his days in Green Bay, he totaled three carries for 12 yards. Said Walker, when asked if he recalled his last 72-yard run, “In high school, when I played running back.” …
The Broncos through seven games had scored seven points in the first quarter. They scored 14 in the first quarter against the Steelers. …
How much did those three turnovers hurt the Steelers in the first half? Consider this: They racked up 266 yards on offense, 6 more than the Colts had in the second half at Invesco Field at Mile High, but trailed by four points at the half. …
Talked to Steelers owner Dan Rooney before the game. If you’re wondering whether he took a limo to the game, don’t. He walked from the 150-year-old house he was raised in a few blocks from Heinz Field. …
Bailey, when asked the difference between the Steelers of ’05 and the team masquerading as the Steelers in ’06: “They don’t have Jerome Bettis. They’ve turned into a passing team, it looks like.” …
Elvis Dumervil has six sacks at the midway point, putting him on pace for 12. I only mention it because the franchise record for rookies is 11.5, set by Rulon Jones in 1980. …
It’s early, of course, but this one is the leader in the clubhouse for worst-officiated Broncos game of the season. …
The Broncos had 13 first downs and their running backs accounted for 37 yards on 20 carries. But they won. By double digits. On the road. Against the defending Super Bowl champions. Welcome to life in the Not For Long, sports fans. …
I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto. It’s early November and the Steelers have had two three-game losing streaks. They’re 2-5 against AFC teams, including 0-3 vs. the West. …
Walker, on the state of the Broncos offense today compared to early in the season: “Obviously we’re putting points on the board. Obviously it was a little shaky at first, but I’ve always been one who would rather finish strong than peak early. Right now we’re getting in a groove where we’re finishing strong.” …
So much for those “Put Cutler In” T-shirts. If the Colts and Steelers games were the litmus test for Jake Plummer, he passed with flying colors. …
The final word, courtesy of Al Wilson. Said 56, when asked if he was surprised by road wins at New England and Pittsburgh: “I felt like anything was possible. I truly feel the guys in this room are special. The fans of Denver, I know they love us, but I really don’t think they know what kind of team we truly have. We have some great players who go out and play for one another on Sundays.”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
