Broncos holder Todd Sauerbrun has a simple plan: “Put the game in my hands.”
Sauerbrun has a good point. The Broncos’ three wins this season have all been on Jason Elam field goals on the final play of the game. Sunday, it was a 49-yard game-winner by Elam.
Still, Sauerbrun said he was surprised by the timing of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s timeout. Tomlin called the timeout early in the process before Mike Leach had snapped the ball.
“I was surprised by the timing,” Sauerbrun said. “I think it was the wrong call, but that’s just my opinion. I’m not a head coach. I was happy that he did it then and we got it out of the way.”
The Steelers had one timeout remaining, but teams can’t call timeouts back-to-back before a play is called.
HENRY FORCED TO LEAVE GAME WITH BADLY BRUISED RIBS
Against a run-tough Pittsburgh defense, Broncos running back Travis Henry managed just 51 yards on 17 carries. Henry’s last carry came with 41 seconds left in the third quarter. He was stopped for no gain on the Pittsburgh 1 and left with badly bruised ribs.
Henry’s status for the Green Bay game on Monday night won’t be known until later in the week.
“I fell on it wrong,” Henry said, wincing while he walked. “I think I’ll be all right.”
Bailey out. Even though he went through pregame warm-ups, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was inactive. He suffered a left quadriceps injury Oct. 7 against San Diego. Bailey practiced on a limited basis Friday.
Bailey was replaced in the starting lineup by nickel cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who still is dealing with an ankle injury. Karl Paymah became the nickel cornerback. It was just the third game Bailey has missed in his eight-season career. The first two came in 2005. It appears Bailey has a chance to play next Monday against Green Bay at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Scheffler sighting. It only made sense. With tight ends Nate Jackson and Stephen Alexander suffering season-ending injuries and receiver Javon Walker out six weeks because of knee surgery, the Broncos had to get Tony Scheffler involved in the offense.
He did, making five catches for 50 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown.
“It felt amazing to get back out there and help the team out,” said Scheffler, who hurt his left leg while making a 16-yard reception to start the Broncos’ final scoring drive. “It’s hard sitting back and watching, knowing you can contribute. It felt great to get back out there and catch a few balls, make a few plays.”
Interested observer. On the final play of the first half, Steeler kicker Jeff Reed attempted a 65-yard field goal. He was well short. Had he made it, Reed would have broken the NFL record shared by the Saints’ Tom Dempsey and the Broncos’ Jason Elam for the longest field goal, which is 63 yards.
Yes, Elam was paying close attention as Reed lined up.
“I was,” Elam said. “To be honest I’m surprised that record hasn’t fallen yet. There’s a lot of guys in this league that have the ability to do that and more. It’ll happen and it’ll happen probably sooner than later but I’d like to hold on to it a little bit longer.”
Thomas in the starting lineup. The youth movement started at least in one spot with rookie Marcus Thomas starting in place of Amon Gordon at defensive tackle. Gordon was inactive.
Nature of the NFL. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin rates success on how close his team comes to perfection.
“Tremendous effort in a lot of areas tonight, but not close enough to perfection to win, and that’s the nature of this league,” he said.
Steelers not as stingy. Pittsburgh allowed 10 more points than its previous high of 21 (in a 21-14 loss at Arizona on Sept. 30). The Steelers’ defense was responsible for giving up 24 points. “They have great players and coaches,” Tomlin said. “I’m not surprised at all.”
Footnotes. Former Broncos great offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman was in the locker room after the game. … Jordan Beck, signed Tuesday, played on special teams. … Jay Cutler has thrown an interception in every NFL start. … Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith hurt his left knee in the first half and did not return. Smith went to Northern Colorado. … An interception by D.J. Williams in the second quarter not only was his first since his rookie season in 2004, but the first by a Broncos linebacker in three seasons. Al Wilson, Ian Gold and Williams did not have an interception in two previous seasons. … Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil was able to corral elusive Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger twice in the first half. Dumervil has six sacks this season. John Engelberger and Alvin McKinley each had a sack in the second half.
