Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos makes a first-down reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of play at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Denver Broncos on Dec. 20, 2015. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
The best and worst from the Broncos’ 34-27 loss at Pittsburgh in their Week 15 game on Sunday…
Homecoming career day. Emmanuel Sanders said he wasn’t sure how he would feel Sunday when he walked into Heinz Field for the first time as a visitor. He played like he had something to prove. Sanders caught 10 passes for a career-high 181 yards and a touchdown. Sanders had his 11th 100-plus yard receiving game with Denver. He had zero such games in four seasons with Pittsburgh.
Cha-ching. Defensive end Malik Jackson has been one of the Broncos’ best players all season. He added two sacks and two tackles for a loss Sunday. Jackson, an impending free agent, is making himself a lot of money.
One-dimensional. The Broncos held running back DeAngelo Williams to 14 carries for 26 yards, while forcing Ben Roethlisberger to throw 55 passes.
Secondary struggles. The marquee matchup coming into Sunday’s game was the Steelers’ core of wide receivers — Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton — facing off against Broncos cornerbacks Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby. Pittsburgh’s crew torched the Broncos for 32 catches, 338 yards and three touchdowns. Poor tackling by the corners, and banged-up safeties, doomed the Broncos.
Case of the drops. Vernon Davis had a huge fourth-quarter drop against Oakland that halted a potential late comeback a week ago. He had another big drop Sunday with the score 27-27 and the Broncos deep in their territory. Demaryius Thomas also had a big drop.
Punting blues. Britton Colquitt is having a poor season. He punted only 33 yards to the middle of the field with a bounce. In a close game, field position is crucial and Colquitt’s poor punts often have cost the Broncos key field position. It happened again Sunday.
