Russell Wilson is coming back to the Mile High City. But he’ll be on the sidelines with a calf injury. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver hosts the Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
FINAL | Steelers 13, Broncos 6
The Broncos’ offense struggled Sunday as Denver lost its home opener to the visiting Steelers, 13-6.
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed 20 of 35 passes for 246 yards and two interceptions, including a costly one in the third quarter when Denver was threatening in the red zone.
MORE BRONCOS COVERAGE
- Broncos’ offensive dud vs. Steelers has Sean Payton already rethinking offensive approach: “That starts with me. I’m the one calling the plays.”
- Renck: Only thing worse than Broncos offense? Coach Sean Payton’s decisions.
- Keeler: Ex-Broncos QB Russell Wilson “grateful” to get to 2-0 back at Empower Field. apountry didn’t share the sentiment.
- Bo Nix Watch: Third-quarter interception another example of rookie QB trying to do too much.
- Broncos’ Courtland Sutton after second straight 0-2 start: “We have what we need in this locker room.”
- Steelers QB Justin Fields on Russell Wilson receiving “petty game ball” after win vs. Broncos: “I think we all know Russ got did dirty last year.”
- Broncos report card: Anemic offensive outing, head-scratching decisions add up to 13-6 loss to Steelers in home opener.
- Broncos Four Downs: With Russell Wilson watching from other sideline, Broncos offense remains as broken as ever.
- WATCH: Broncos’ Bo Nix connects with Josh Reynolds on 49-yard trick play.
Fourth-quarter updates
Ballgame (5:25 p.m.): And the game ends, fittingly, on a Bo Nix interception. Sean Payton has now coached five games in September for the Broncos. They are 0-5. — Schubert
Field goal, Broncos (5:16 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 29-yard field goal. Steelers 13, Broncos 6 with 1:53 to go. Denver is going for the onside kick. … Actually, check that. The Broncso are NOT going for the onside?!?!? This makes zero sense. — Nguyen
Costly penalty (5:05 p.m.): Unnecessary roughness penalty on Broncos safety P.J. Locke III after his hit on Calvin Austin. — Nguyen
Another three-and-out (5:01 p.m.): With all penalties, it felt longer, but yep, another three-and-out for the Broncos offense. — Nguyen
Not over yet (4:54 p.m.): Another stop for the Broncos defense gives Denver the ball at its 31 with 8:43 to go. Somehow, this game isn’t over. — Schubert
Field goal, Broncos (4:47 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 35-yard field goal with 10:42 to go in the game. Steelers 13, Broncos 3. — Nguyen
Gamble paid off (4:44 p.m.): Check that, they go for it on fourth down and Nix hits Josh Reynolds for a first down. This ain’t over yet. — Schubert
Nix took advantage of a blown coverage on fourth down for 22 yards and the Broncos are back into the red zone. — Gabriel
Blown coverage and trick plays. That is the key to Broncos passing attack. — Renck
Rough drive (4:43 p.m.): The most obvious Garett Bollles hold of his career stops a Broncos drive in its tracks. The possession ends with Greg Dulcich dropping a pass well short of the sticks and a smattering of boos emanating from the stands. — Schubert
Third-quarter updates
Injury update (4:36 p.m.): Baron Browning out with a foot injury. On the bright side, the Broncos have the ball back and are nearing midfield. — Schubert
Special teams (4:32 p.m.): This is not going great for the Broncos. But their punt team is pretty darn good. — Gabriel
Field goal, Steelers (4:25 p.m.): The Steelers get a 53-yard field goal from Chris Boswell — 13-0, Steelers with 4:16 left in the third quarter. That might be game. — Schubert
PI on PS2 (4:24 p.m.): Pat Surtain II pass interference flag immediately follows and the Steelers are back in business. — Schubert
Picked off (4:20 p.m.): In one play, they gave it all back.
Another rookie throw from Bo Nix in the red zone — his second interception inside an opponent’s 20 this season. A backfoot throw with Nix locked onto Courtland Sutton. — Schubert
Man, that was a bad decision by Nix. Tries to squeeze ball into Sutton. Doesn’t step into throw. Throws off back foot. Easy pick for Cory Trice Jr. Can’t make that throw and take points off the board. Bad, bad, bad. — Renck
Nix to Reynolds (4:18 p.m.): Finally some creativity. Reverse, pitch back to Nix for a 50-yard completion to Reynolds. Crowd awakes from hibernation. — Renck
🚨 trick play 🚨
📺: CBS |
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
In two plays, the Broncos doubled their offensive yardage total to 150. — Schubert
Nix to Sutton (4:17 p.m.): Courtland Sutton with his first catch of the afternoon, and the Broncos have their fourth first down of the game. — Schubert
Holding (4:12 p.m.): Pat Surtain II with a holding penalty in special teams duty? Really? — Schubert
Three-and-out (4:07 p.m.): Denver got to a third-and-1 when Javonte Williams got blown up by DeShon Elliott. Denver has more punts (4) than first downs (3). — Nguyen
Well, the Broncos got CLOSE to a first down. Then Javonte Williams got dropped for a 4-yard loss on third-and-inches when safety Deshon Elliott was left completely unblocked on a run blitz. Don’t know who was supposed to block that guy, but certainly someone was. — Schubert
Broncos were in 11 personnel on third-and-1 and DeShon Elliott came free and hammered Javonte Williams in the backfield for -4. Not sure if Nix didn’t see Elliott walking up or the line didn’t communicate it, but that had no chance whatsoever from the jump. — Gabriel
He ain’t bad (4:01 p.m.): This just in: Zach Allen is good. — Gabriel
Injury update (4 p.m.): Riley Moss back on the field, but the Denver defense delivers some pressure up front. After one first down, the Broncos will get the ball for the first time to start the second half. — Schubert
Halftime analysis — Steelers 10, Broncos 0
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The Broncos allowed 95 rushing yards in the first half. It might be time to stop wishing and start embracing the reality that Denver will never improve its run defense.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Travis Hunter is gonna look AMAZING in Orange and Blue. Heck, he probably walks onto this 2-deep right now.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos trail 10-0 at half.
- Nix 7-11, 39 yards.
- Williams 2 catches, 13 yards
- Badie 1 rush, 16 yards.
Broncos have 62 yards and three first downs. Steelers have 13 first downs and 189 yards. The numbers eloquently explain the offensive ineptitude. Broncos’ offense under Payton looks outdated, made worse by the lack of playmakers. They should play Badie in second half. And, you know, maybe try to get ball to Mims.
Second-quarter updates
Offensive woes (3:45 p.m.): Broncos last week: 40 first-half plays, 27 drop-backs (67.5% called passes).
Broncos this week: 20 first-half plays, 13 drop-backs (65% called passes). — Gabriel
Field goal, Pittsburgh (3:44 p.m.): The Steelers get a field goal out of their final drive of the half. Is a 10-point lead insurmountable? It sorta feels like it with this Broncos offense. Denver had three first downs and 62 yards at the half. On the bright side: At least Bo Nix hasn’t thrown any picks. — Schubert
QB battle (3:39 p.m.): If Justin Fields keeps playing like this, Russell Wilson might not start a game for the Steelers this season. — McFadden
Riley Moss injured (3:38 p.m.): Levi Wallace into the game after the DPI and injury to Riley Moss on the same play. — Gabriel
Riley Moss sat down on the bench. Doesn’t look super serious, but who knows? — Schubert
Sacked (3:33 p.m.): Another sack for Broncos lineman Zack Allen, who has three on the year so far. — Nguyen
No dice (3:29 p.m.): Everything about that stunk. Nix throws it into the defender’s arms. His footwork is off. And Troy Franklin was intended WR and was well in front of the sticks. — Renck
No punt (3:27 p.m.): They are going for it. — Renck
And here comes the offense out of the timeout! — Schubert
Looks like Denver considered punting and considered a 57-yard FG before sending the offense back out on fourth-and-7 from the PIT 39 and 2:32 left before half. — Gabriel
Punt? (3:26 p.m.): Broncos send out at punt team on fourth-and-7 at the Steelers’ 39, forcing a Pittsburgh timeout. Even the Steelers were confused. — Schubert
Run, Bo, run (3:23 p.m.): Designed run for Bo Nix for a first down. Empty backfields don’t mean you have to throw! — Schubert
Alright, QB draw is the answer. That’s a fine one, Sean. — Gabriel
Moving forward (3:18 p.m.): Broncos are … moving the football? Tyler Badie with a 15-yard appearance. And then he promptly goes back to the sideline. — Schubert
Broncos get first-and-5 after a 16-yard Tyler Badie run and a penalty and immediately go empty, five-wide. Pressure results in an incompletion and then Payton burns a timeout.
Your guess is as good as mine. — Gabriel
To answer Parker’s question, it’s easy. Need Lil’Jordan to go off for 15 yards on 8 catches. — Schubert
Offensive offense (3:16 p.m.): There is 7:04 left in half. Steelers have 154 yards to Broncos’ 26. Good news is Denver only trails 7-0. Bad news is they have 26 yards. — Renck
Injury updates (3:15 p.m.): John Franklin-Myers is out with a concussion. And Baron Browning is currently out with a foot injury. Yes, things are going swell at Empower Field right now. — Gabriel
Big penalty (3:13 p.m.): Steelers right tackle Broderick Jones has been Broncos best defensive player on this series. Three penalties for 25 yards. Just negated huge pass play to Pickens. — Renck
A point-saving effort by Jonathon Cooper to draw that hold on Broderick Jones. His pursuit of Fields drew the flag and wiped away a deep completion to Pickens over Surtain that would have set up Pittsburgh first-and-goal. — Gabriel
Ground game (3:11 p.m.): Pittsburgh has 82 rushing yards so far in the first half. — McFadden
Powerful rush (3:08 p.m.): Jordan Jackson with a powerful rush up the middle to help rush that Justin Fields throw. Last week he got his first regular-season snaps in the NFL. — Gabriel
D.J. Jones back (3:04 p.m.): D.J. Jones is back in the game. He went down late in the first quarter. — Gabriel
Special teams highlight (3:02 p.m.): The highlight of the game for the Broncos so far was that punt. Justin Strnad kept Riley Dixon’s kick out of the end zone, tossing it to Michael Burton who had it inside the 1-yard line. — Nguyen
Special teams being special again. 💪
📺: CBS |
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Injury update (2:59 p.m.): Broncos DE John Franklin-Myers is being evaluated for a concussion. — McFadden
First-quarter analysis — Steelers 7, Broncos 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos offense is so bad that Russell Wilson might be wandering the Pittsburgh sideline asking people, “Is it 2022 again?”
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Are we sure Russell Wilson was the main problem with Denver’s offense?
Matt Schubert, sports editor: If you were looking for something to be optimistic about early on in this one, you’re still looking for it. Bo Nix has been sacked once, the Broncos are 1 of 3 on third down and the defense just got bullied on a long Steelers touchdown drive. Pretty sure Denver would’ve preferred to see Russell Wilson taking snaps, and not Justin Fields.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Everything is so hard for this offense. Get perfect protection, run a good route, and hope to get 3 yards. … Makes Payton offense seem outdated. Doesn’t hurt they rarely use motion to create mismatches to overcome their lack of playmakers.
First-quarter updates
Only took 14 minutes (2:56 p.m.): There it is your first Broncos first down of the game with less than 30 seconds left in the first quarter. — Schubert
Nuggets love (2:53 p.m.): Big cheers for Michael Porter Jr and Peyton Watson, who are at the game. So there’s that. — Renck
Steelers touchdown (2:50 p.m.): The Steelers capped off a 12-play, 78-yard drive with a 5-yard Justin Fields touchdown pass to Darnell Washington. Steelers 7, Broncos 0 with 1:56 to go in the first quarter. — Joe Nguyen
Mt. Washington 🫡
📲 Stream on NFL+:
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers)
The Broncos cannot hold on third-and-goal. P.J. Locke had no chance on an out-route to tight end Darnell Washington. First touchdown wins? — Schubert
Darnell Washington, at 6-7, 264, had no problem creating space against safety P.J. Locke for the score. 12 plays, 78 yards, 7:34 off clock on the drive. — Renck
Slow to get up (2:49 p.m.): Looks like Broncos DL D.J. Jones is down and slow to get up. — Gabriel
DJ Jones walks off field slowly … seemed to be dealing with back or side issue. He is having a tough go vs. run so far. — Renck
Sacked (2:48 p.m.): Rookie OLB Jonah Elliss is on the board with his first career sack. — Gabriel
Jonah Elliss with his first career sack. And it couldn’t have come at a much better time, with the Steelers inside the Denver 5-yard line and threatening to score a TD. It’s now third-and-goal at the 5. — Schubert
Speed (2:44 p.m.): Zach Allen has done a good job at getting to the backfield. However, Justin Fields is pretty fast. — McFadden
We have a first down (2:42 p.m.): Halfway into the first quarter, we have our first first down of the game by either team as Pittsburgh’s Justin Fields connects with George Pickens for 13 yards. — Nguyen
Another three-and-out (2:37 p.m.): After a pair of promising gains for 8 yards, Bo Nix was sacked by Pittsburgh’s Alex Highsmith. — Nguyen
Highsmith dipped around Bolles for a third-down sack.
Denver had Dulcich chipping on Watt to help McGlinchey on the other side. — Gabriel
So much attention falls on TJ Watt. As it should. But Highsmith is legit on the other side. He slipped under Bolles for first sack of game. — Renck
Another former Broncos return (2:33 p.m.): Our old friend Corliss Waitman with a heck of a punt on fourth down for the Steelers. Get used to that phrase. — Schubert
Three-and-out. Again. (2:32 p.m.): Setting the over-under for punts today at 18.5. Take the over. — Schubert
Brandon Jones with solid tackle of Fields in the open field. If you love punting, this is a special day for you and your family. — Renck
Great tackle by Broncos safety Brandon Jones to stop Fields on third down. Both offenses are off to a shaky start, which is not surprising. — McFadden
Three-and-out (2:29 p.m.): Greg Dulcich short of the sticks on third down, replacing Noah Fant short of the sticks as Broncos fans’ least favorite weekly refrain. — Schubert
Broncos open with a three-and-out. They had seven last week. — Renck
Two runs for no yards and a pass short of the sticks. Broncos offense is off and runn..stumbling. — Gabriel
Coin toss (2:26 p.m.): Pittsburgh wins the toss and defers. Broncos up first on offense. — Gabriel
For the record, Russell Wilson did get on the field once today … for the coin toss. — Schubert
Pre-game updates
Bad start (2:23 p.m.): The mic wasn’t on to start the national anthem and the flyover was about 20 seconds late. If this a harbinger of the Broncos’ offensive plan…. — Gabriel
Visiting fans (1:44 p.m.): Visiting fans always show up to stadiums earlier, so grain of salt here, but … there are a lot of Steelers fans in the building 40 minutes before kickoff. — Gabriel
Wilson out (12:58 p.m.): Also official: Pittsburgh QB Russell Wilson is inactive and, like Zach Wilson for the Broncos, will serve as the team’s emergency third QB today. So he cannot enter the game unless the Steelers’ other two QBs are ruled out with injuries. — Gabriel
Broncos inactives (12:57 p.m.):
- QB Zach Wilson (Emergency third QB)
- WR Devaughn Vele
- CB Kris Abrams-Draine
- RB Blake Watson
- TE Lucas Krull
- OL Frank Crum
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
No surprises here. Vele was ruled out Friday with an injury and the rest were inactive last week. Basically a flip of Vele and rookie WR Troy Franklin, who is officially active for the first time in his career. — Gabriel
Good morning from Empower Field (11:52 a.m.): About 11:35 a.m. Russell Wilson came out onto the field for his normal early workout. Not before he had a couple minutes’ chat with Broncos QBs Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, WRs Michael Bandy and David Sills and some training staff. Wilson’s not expected to start for Pittsburgh today as he deals with a calf injury. Last week he was inactive but was in uniform as the emergency third quarterback. He could well end up serving the same duty today. — Gabriel
Scouting report (11 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Steelers in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Steelers 20, Broncos 17
Russ or no Russ, life doesn’t get easier for Denver rookie QB Bo Nix against Pittsburgh’s defense. T.J. Watt rightfully gets top billing, but Alex Highsmith (14.5 sacks in 2022, seven last year) is no slouch on the other side. Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks played it pretty straight last week. Mike Tomlin? Here’s betting he’s got some wrinkles up his sleeve for Nix and company.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Steelers 17, Broncos 13
This game might get ugly. Denver’s offensive line is already banged up so there’s a chance quarterback Bo Nix will be running for his life against T.J. Watt on Sunday. At the same time, Pittsburgh’s offense is questionable. Denver’s home opener will be a low-scoring contest, dictated by special teams and the run game. Pittsburgh will have the edge against the Broncos.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 17, Steelers 16
No Russell Mania, so this feels like an undercard bout. But there is urgency for the Broncos to win because if they don’t, they are staring at an 0-4 start with back-to-back roadies looming. Bo Nix will be challenged by the Steelers pass rush but will be helped by an improved run game. However, the Broncos will escape because of three takeaways, including a Jonathon Cooper strip sack of Justin Fields for the second straight season.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Steelers 22, Broncos 13
Russ, schmuss. Just when Bo Nix needs most to turn to his run game and keep a nasty Steelers pass rush honest, Audric Estime goes on injured reserve and starting left tackle Garett Bolles and center Luke Wattenberg are walking wounded. The Steelers put four tight ends on the field at one point in Atlanta to run the single wing with QB Justin Fields. Mike Tomlin’s going to be fine with pounding the ball and daring Nix to do the un-Bo-lievable. No. 10’s not there yet.
Broncos-Steelers NFL Week 2: Must-reads
Broncos analysis: Is Denver at risk of relying too heavily on rookie QB Bo Nix to solve long list of Russell Wilson-era offensive ills?
In November 2023, the Broncos had won five straight and just polished off a bully-ball win against Cleveland to get above .500 for the first time all season.
At 6-5, they had legitimate playoff aspirations. Quarterback Russell Wilson had 17 touchdowns and no picks in the red zone.
The 17-0 TD-INT ratio didn’t capture the sacks and penalties that beset the Broncos offense. It didn’t mask, in Payton’s eyes, that Denver was among the league’s worst offenses on goal-to-go situations. It certainly did not convince Payton that Wilson was the guy to get Denver where it wanted to go long-term, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Broncos Journal: Denver’s pass rush shows signs of improvement. But can defense be dominant for full game?
The Broncos’ front seven wanted to be a physical and attacking front this fall. They didn’t waste any time in doing so against the Seahawks in the season opener.
While Denver wasn’t pleased with the outcome of its 26-20 loss in Seattle, there were positives to take away from the experience, starting with the Broncos’ ability to apply pressure on Smith in the first half.
After the Broncos finished 29th in pressure rate (18.2%) in 2023, the pass rush showed signs of life. The next step is making the quarterback’s life miserable for an entire game, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Renck: Starting Bo Nix was right decision. But soon enough, Broncos’ Sean Payton will have to defend it.
Bo Nix earned the right to start. And it won’t be long before coach Sean Payton is forced to defend his decision.
Hear me out. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round last spring. Nix was the last.
Three started on opening weekend. You know how many will face four straight head coaches who were former defensive coordinators? The list starts and ends with Nix, Troy Renck writes. Read the full column.
