Tracking the best and worst from the Broncos’ victory Sunday against the Steelers.
UP: Football fashion. The Broncos featured their color-rush uniforms — blue helmets with a retro logo, orange jerseys and orange pants, but what’s wrong with a little variety? Especially when it provides a nod to the old-school with a snarling Bronco emerging from the D. A classic look.
DOWN: Time of possession. The Steelers’ offense dominated the football through the first half with three-of-four drives reaching 10-plus plays. Denver’s bend-but-don’t-break approach worked initially — holding Pittsburgh to 10 first-half points despite trailing time of possession by almost nine minutes at the break. Denver evened things out a bit after halftime, but the Steelers won overall time of possession — 35:00 to 25:00.
UP: ‘ timing. The Broncos’ every-down safety once again proved his worth on special teams. Pittsburgh lined up in the first quarter to attempt a 48-yard field goal, Simmons jumped the gap between the long snapper/left guard, dove for the football and tipped it. It marked Simmons’ second field goal block of the season (Week 3 at Baltimore).
DOWN: Health. The Broncos lost three players to injury in the second half versus the Steelers: cornerback Tramaine Brock (rib), tight end (back) and linebacker (hip).
UP: ‘ hustle. Steelers’ tight end Xavier Grimble was wide open at the Denver 20-yard line when he caught the football with nothing between him and the end zone. But safety Will Parks had other plans. He sprinted from the opposite side of the field, crunched Grimble at the goal line and forced a fumble that went through the side of the end zone — resulting in a Denver touchback.
DOWN: Big-play stop. The first snap of Pittsburgh second offensive series after halftime: a 97-yard Roethlisberger completion to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a touchdown. It was the longest passing score allowed in Broncos history.
UP: Second-half fight. That long Steelers’ touchdown sucked the air out of Mile High. But Denver forced a trio of second-half turnovers ( interception, fumble recovery and Shelby Harris’s pick) while the offense provided a 14-point push.
DOWN: haters. The Broncos’ starting quarterback was solid on Sunday: 15-of-28 passing for 197 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
