8:30 P.M. MDT: Denver with a season-high in points; the Broncos came in averaging 15.0 a game; they have 28 already tonight.
8:34 P.M. MDT: The post-kickoff stoppage again arrives, but it’s the ability of networks to sell commercial time on broadcasts that helps make the NFL so big, so I use them as an excuse to work on the game story or go to the water closet.
8:36 P.M. MDT: No panic from the Steelers as they begin this possession in poor field position; they now stand at their 33 with first-and-10.
8:37 P.M. MDT: Now second-and-13 … and the pass rush stalks Roethlisberger once again, but he finds Willie Parker, who scoots forward up the left sideline for 22 yards to the Denver 47.
8:38 P.M. MDT: Parker gains 24 to the right side before Karl Paymah knocks him out of bounds; Alan Faneca took out Ian Gold, who had the play read in the backfield, to spring Parker loose.
8:39 P.M. MDT: More blitzing from the Broncos; this one’s from John Lynch, who deflects a pass incomplete.
8:39 P.M. MDT: Timeout, Steelers.
8:42 P.M. MDT: Monstrous third-down play … third-and-2 from the Denver 15 … Parker scoots left, into a forest of blue and black helmets … he’s close to the first down … but he’s about a football and a half short.
8:44 P.M. MDT: Ben Roethlisberger leans into the pile and drives … it looks as though he’s got the first down, and he does.
8:45 P.M. MDT: OK, now, after moving the sticks forward, they’re bringing them back on the field to measure … and it remains a first down.
8:46 P.M. MDT: Al Michaels keeps calling him “Tim” Spaeth … but it’s Matt Spaeth, and the ex-wunderkind for the Minnesota Golden Gophers has the touchdown that brings the Steelers back to within a score.
8:50 P.M. MDT: For the writer on deadline, post-kickoff timeouts can be one’s best friend.
8:52 P.M. MDT: The first two plays of the drive aren’t promising for the Broncos — a 5-yard loss on a Brandon Stokley end-around and a 1-yard gain for Selvin Young on second-and-15.
8:53 P.M. MDT: Denver uses its first timeout of the half with 8:39 left in regulation.
8:55 P.M. MDT: Cutler in trouble on third-and-14 … he picks up four yards, but the Broncos will nevertheless punt with just under eight minutes left.
8:58 P.M. MDT: Travis Henry is out for the game with bruised ribs.
8:59 P.M. MDT: Pittsburgh starting to move again … now at its 33.
9:01 P.M. MDT: Third-and-eight at the PIT 35 … Crowd at a maniacal pitch … R’berger in the shotgun … looked like Marvel Smith clearly false-started, but no call … R’berger finds Ward across the middle to the Denver 49.
9:02 P.M. MDT: R’berger to Parker for 12 more … Now at the Denver 37 … Some uneasiness in the crowd now.
9:03 P.M. MDT: R’berger pumps, under pressure and is clobbered by John Engelberger, but a flag comes in at the point where the Virginia Tech product got the sack … Bill Carollo converses with John Lynch, discussing the holding penalty on Pittsburgh that is summarily declined.
9:05 P.M. MDT: Now with third-and-10 at the 37 … Crowd raucous … Can feel the floor shaking beneath me … R’berger on a slant to Cedrick Wilson, and the Steelers pick up 12. Steelers now 8-of-12 on third downs tonight.
9:08 P.M. MDT: Crowd trying to rally Denver’s defense … second-and-6 … R’berger with the playfake to a wide-open Carey Davis, who moves to the Denver 12 … Steelers draining the clock as well; there’s 1:33 left and ticking.
9:09 P.M. MDT: R’berger to Heath Miller in the back of the end zone, touchdown, past Nick Ferguson. Cue the towels.
9:10 P.M. MDT: Jeff Reed drills the extra point, tying the game. Seventy seconds remaining. The Broncos have two timeouts and Jay Cutler has led five game-tying or game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in his 10 games as starter. We’ll see if he has any magic here …
9:13 P.M. MDT: Cutler finds Tony Scheffler for 16 yards up the middle, but there is a flag down … and it’s on the Broncos … and Scheffler hobbles to the sidelines. With Nate Jackson and Stephen Alexander already on injured reserve, the Broncos can scarcely afford another injury at tight end, particularly to a target as reliable for Cutler as No. 88.
9:14 P.M. MDT: The penalty was offsides against the Steelers, so the play stands.
9:15 P.M. MDT: Second-and-10 now at the 36 … Broncos now at the 45 after Cutler finds Brandon Marshall … clock ticking … Jay Cutler tries to sneak forward for the first down.
9:15 P.M. MDT: Flag down … 0:41 left … offsides on Pittsburgh moves the Broncos near Steelers territory. Denver still has two timeouts left. Now at midfield.
9:16 P.M. MDT: Cutler on the slant to Glenn Martinez … tough catch with a defender draped all over him … 11 yards, first down, timeout Denver. Got to love the way the young quarterback trusts all his receivers — even the ones with scant regular-season experience like the pride of Auburndale High School, Martinez.
9:17 P.M. MDT: From the Steelers 39 … Shotgun formation … across the middle … looks like it might have been caught by Daniel Graham, but it’s ruled incomplete … A replay review is coming.
9:19 P.M. MDT: Looked to me like Graham had it, and then was down by contact after Anthony Smith grabbed him in the back of the jersey. Smith had his hand on the back of Graham’s shirt as the ball came in.
9:21 P.M. MDT: Yep, down by contact.
9:22 P.M. MDT: Second-and-1 at the Steelers 30. Twenty-six seconds remain … Broncos are in a tight lineup; I-formation, one receiver … handoff to the left side to Selvin Young for no gain. Clock ticking … down to two seconds left before the Broncos take timeout.
9:23 P.M. MDT: Long field-goal try coming; Broncos are at the Steelers 31; this will be a 49-yard field-goal try for Elam.
9:24 P.M. MDT: From 48 yards … well, the Steelers take timeout before the Broncos can get the snap away.
9:26 P.M. MDT: It’s good, and the Broncos win, 31-28.
Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers
Showing a lot of character tonight. PPPPLLLLEEEEAAAASSSEEE!!!! Defense don’t let them get a T.D. Hold em. Your doing great!!!!
What do they have to do to get Rothlesberger down. Damn!!!
Damn!!! Glad the Broncos are Ahead. Offense has to answer!!!!!!
we need a nice, long drive here, ending with a FG or TD after using about 6 or 7 minutes of time
We need points on this drive! And a nice return…
Mason, Do you think Dre Bly’s injury is gonna be an issue? When do they suppose Champ will be back? I’m proud of the Defense so far, however the Steelers have found a weakness.
Dave – you are right on – 10:30 minutes would be alright too! : )
Hope the defense can sustain at least two more Steelers possesions. Stop them to no points.
Tough Third down right here! Just don’t give them a turnover here!
3rd & 14. This seems to be a number that the offense enjoy’s tonight. They’ve been succesfull so far. Let’s hope we get the same results on this drive. Come on OFFENSE!!!!!!!
time for the D to preserve a great effort tonight
The ‘D’ will send a message here! Which one?
what a horrible let down this would cause the team if defense can’t hold. Lookin for some Dumerville magic. come on Defense I believe you can do it!
While there is a TV timeout – I want to say Thanks Andrew – I appreciate your work week in and out!
Thank you, Rev … appreciate all the comments and visitors by our little corner of the Web … hope you guys know that.
Every time it is 3rd down and double digit yardage, we cough up a first down. How is that possible?
Even the person operating the TV scoreboard had put up the little yellow “flag” display…two people false started and no call….
Rev- if the Broncos ever needed a Miracle, it would be nice to get one now. How are we in this position? Things were going so good. Looks like possible OT again. Stinks we were looking so good. Steelers finally showed up.
Anybody else glad we have Elam?
We all know 1:10 with two timeouts is enough, lets hope we come through
Bronco – I’m praying, but not sure God concerns himself with this kind of thing – but it is my birthday, would you ask with me?
Unbeliveable. The old defense showed back-up. This sucks???? Although we were cheated out of a false start call. Jay Cutler & the offense needs to be perfect on the next series. No room for mistakes. Hope to see another Buffaloe game. Why in the world is it so hard for the Broncos to put teams away. This truly WAS their best game. Defense fell apart!
Happy B-day, it’s also my son’s b-day.
That’s a second good reason – I’m still asking – you?
Oh my goshh. Will it happen again??
I’m prayin with you rev. Let’s hope this review goes incomplete.
this is crazy!!! Thank GOD!!!!!
Elam. We Believe!!!!
Rev,
I don’t know if God is concerned with the game, but the Broncos just got a big gift!
Happy Birthday!
Bronco – good to see our thanks in the right direction – Great job Elam – Ask and it will be given to you!
Happy Birthday REV. I know God has bigger things to worry about. Enjoy!!!
Thanks Music – and Roll Broncos Roll! That’s Big
Bronco – I’ll pray with you anyday!
Thanks and tell your son Happy B-Day – I’m off to bed – A great Birthday!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
YES!
WE DID IT !!!!!!!!
Oh man!! Hopefully scheffler is ok though.. that hobbling off the field scared me.
TAKE THIS STEELERS, THIS ONE WAS ONLY A TASTE OF THE REAL BRONCO POWER !!!!!!!
last year’s game against the Chargers on SNF turned our season around…for the worse. I get a good feeling that tonight’s game on SNF could turn our season around…for the better
I’ll be the first to admit that my thought the season is over has been put on hold after tonight, even though they did let up a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter which was a scary sight. I’m very excited with the way they played aside from that and really only saw a few bad play calls and that was my only complaint. If they can win this week too then they are definitely back in the running.
Hey Mas,
Any word on Scheffler?
Awesome. Way to show some heart!!!
Way to pull it out Broncos! Let’s keep it going into next week!
man this game for the Broncos was such a big game because it prooved to the whole nation that we were back this week!! i was so excited with our defense tonight and even our rush defense, also jay cutler looked extremely good in passing and had a huge run. Go Broncos!!! but now we got to focus on the packers
Hey Andrew,
I think it would be nice to hear about Dre Bly… Is he doing okay? I mean it was great to prove our D could do good without Champ, and if we can do well without Champ I think we will do quite alright with Dre out. I would prefer to see Dre in there. We do need to be as good as possible againt a greenbay team coming off of a Bye on Monday Night (1997, Bret). I think Greebay might have somthing to play for in this one… Our D-line did make the 2ndary make thier money, but at the same time they do apprear to want to make their money as well. I think our D line showed to be a little wiser in week 7!!!
DEN 34 GB 28… Close game next week I say!
Man, what a great game….we let them sneak back in when we should have put them away before the half (what was that int in the endzone?), but we did enough to win. Last year it seemed like we lost all the close ones, this year we seem to win them.
Defense stepped up HUGE, and the young guys are playing hard. Hell, if Rice wants to bitch and moan like a baby leave him on the sidelines all season, since our front 4 got alot of pressure on a very good Steelers O Line all night.
Hope Bly and Scheffler and Henry are alright, because we’ve been getting hit hard with injuries.
New O Line did a great job too, this win was big. Way to go guys!
Dre Bly and Elvis Dumervil really put the team on their shoulders tonight. We don’t win without their great performances.
I thought foxworth played well for Baily. Great win
So sweet to get the w but don’t get caught , ther’s still some work to do . Thus the team showed the Chargers game was an accident , we’re on the way and the sky is bright , proud of my Bronco team !!