Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) greets fellow players as they come out onto Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to play the Steelers on Sept. 20, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostSeveral Denver Broncos players took a knee during the National Anthem before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) takes a knee with support of teammates Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72), left, and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Austin Calitro (53) during the National Anthem before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks for an opening against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) finds running room against Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) in the first quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sept. 20, 2020. Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) looks for a block.
- Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) in the first quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) goes after Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) who scooped up the ball after dropping it on a hand off in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) eyes Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) on a run in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) spins past Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39), left, and tries to elude Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) on a long run in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) grimaces after getting tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) in the quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020. The ball was fumbled on the play and Lock was hurt and did not return to the game.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (28) picks up a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) in the first quarter at Heinz Field Sept. 20, 2020. Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler (13) chases down Hilton.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostTrainers take Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) off the field in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020. Lock was injured on a fumble and did not return.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers play the Denver Broncos at an empty Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, left, talks with Denver Broncos strong safety Kareem Jackson (22) on the sidelines in the first quarter while facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) takes over in the first quarter after Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) was taken out of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) throws a complete pass under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler (13) side steps Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) gets sacked by Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (28) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) in the first quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) kicks a field goal under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) in the second quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020. Denver Broncos punter Sam Martin (6) held for McManus.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) throws an incomplete pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) tips a pass thrown by Denver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) resulting in an interception in the second quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) intercepts a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) in the second quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020. Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) defends on the play.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) come off the field with help from trainers in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) wraps up Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) in the third quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) scores a touchdown from a Jeff Driskel pass in the third quarter against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) gets tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) in the third quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) makes a catch for a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostA professional photographer keeps an eye on the action during as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) on a 4th and 2 with less than two minutes in the game late in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020. Pittsburgh went on to win 26-21.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) makes a catch along the sidelines in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) makes a catch for a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field on Sept. 20, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) comes back up being sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) on a 4th-and-2 with less than two minutes in the game late in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field Sept. 20, 2020. Pittsburgh went on to win 26-21.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Denver Broncos defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) greets fellow players as they come out onto Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to play the Steelers on Sept. 20, 2020.
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
If last year’s 0-4 start in Vic Fangio’s first season was a nightmare, then Sunday was a reiteration of that bad dream as the Broncos lost in Pittsburgh, 26-21, to fall into an 0-2 hole on the season.
Quarterback Drew Lock exited the game in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury and did not return. A late comeback attempt led by backup quarterback Jeff Driskel fell short. The result was a wire-to-wire Pittsburgh win at Heinz Field, that dropped Denver to 0-2 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1965-66.
Read the full story here.