Steelers buck the Broncos: 28 - 10!

AT one point, early into the 2nd quarter the Broncos were 5 for 7 on 3rd downs! Although the score was only 7 to 3 Steelers it was one of those moments you had hoped would even itself out or it was a start of trouble.

The Steelers once again did not allow a 1st quarter TD. They have only allowed 9 points all year in the first quarter. But the 4th quarter has been killing them at times. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

So back we go into the 1st. Both teams were playing good defense although the Broncos were squeaking out back breaking first downs. Pittsburgh did nothing on offense in the opening quarter. Ben even took a seat on the grass a couple times - Which irked me because the Broncos are not a sack team.

The Steelers turned up the heat a bit in the 2nd and Kyle Orton got picked 6 by DB Tyrone Carter on a 48 yard INT and burst to daylight, although it was at night. That is how we got to 7 to 3. And that is how the first half score ended. It was basically a battle of 2 defenses flexing their muscle.

That carried over into the 3rd. The Steelers actually started to put together one of their better drives and got into Denver territory for the first time all night. But Denver unleashed the dogs and Ben got stripped of the ball. Denver's Ayers picked up the loose ball and was given a Bronco escort to the end zone for a 10 to 7 lead. Ironically Ben had Mike Wallace breaking open for a big gain but the Broncos got to Ben before the play developed.

Credit Ben and the Steelers they regrouped on the side lines and picked it up a notch. The Steelers went for the juggler vein with a 4 play 80 yard drive for a TD pass to Hines Ward. The drive featured a nice 18 yard play to Mike Wallace, a great 24 yard run by Mendenhall, and a beautiful 35 yard strike to Santonio Holmes.

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On the throw to Holmes, Ben got Champ Bailey to bite inside and then he threw the ball outside over a recovering Bailey and hit Holmes in the numbers!

In the 4th quarter things tightened up for a bit. But then the Steelers took over at the Denver 25 after a Troy Polamalu INT. The Steelers softened up the Broncos with 2 Mendenhall runs and then a quick strike to Mike Wallace for a 25 yard TD. Extra point good, 21 to 10, Steelers.

Steelers got the ball after the Broncos had the ball a whopping 19 seconds. With 6 and change left on the clock the Steelers did what Super Bowl Champs do. They ate up 5 minutes and scored a TD to put the game away. 11 Plays 73 yards.

The drive featured the sustained rushing attack that has been missing as of recent times. The Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore combo and a couple Hines Ward completions. The final a Ward TD catch. 28 to 10, mission accomplished.

Highlights:

• Big road win against a respectable foe

• After converting on 5 of 7 3rd downs the Broncos did not convert another 3rd down

• Steelers went 7 for 12 on 3rd down

• The balance was there again! 29 throws, 29 rushes

• Rushing well added to clock domination. That helps beat a good defense

• Held Broncos to 27 yards rushing

• Mendehall 22 carries for 155 yards

• Ben 21 for 29 and 233 yards. 3 TD's, one INT

• Holmes 6 catches, 93 yards - Mike Wallace 4 for 69 yards- 1 TD, Ward 7 for 44- 2 TD's

By: Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent