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
Wow, was anyone else glad to see Cutler come out firing? The INT in the endzone was a no no but he actually looked like a top flight NFL QB for one night! And hopefully it won’t be the last time either!
I must say, Cutler running for 31, and leading them on that last drive, looked good. I’m proud of the young buck.
Good win, hopefully momentum takes them right through FAV-RA and the Packs.
Don’t forget, we did predict a victory for last nights game over at LPP!
Hello Mason! Way to go Broncos!!!! That was a great game last night. They completely dominated the game until the 4th. Even though the Steelers tied up, thanks to Elam’s winning field goal, Denver got the win. I was so impressed with Cutler and all of the rookies. The team was in rythm. The deffense was off the hook last night. Ben found out just how tough it really is to play Denver. You know he woke up this morning extrememly sore!!!!!!
I think the Bye did wonders for the team!!!!
It was a great game. All of the Sportscasters counted Denver out. They said the Steelers would win especially since Bailey wasn’t playing. Denver showed them!!!
Way to go Broncos!!!!! Keep up the good work.
Let’s go Broncos, Beat the Packers next Monday night.
Go Broncos!!!!!!! Go Rockies!!! Beat the Red Sox!!!!
Just remember, we are only 3 FG’s from being 0-6 right now. There is still a lot to work on. I’m pleased to see them win, but lets keep it in perspective.
I think the thin air tired out the Steelers defense towards at the end of the game. I was impressed with the defensive performance. Can’t wait for Monday night!
For the love of G*%. The defense is actually the reason they won. The fumble recovery for a TD was the deciding factor. Just wish they would of put them away and kept them down. Scary Victory, but very exciting. Hope the defense can play 4 qtrs on monday night. Almost there, but lots of work to do. No need to get big headed. Good Job Broncos.
ONE WORD described why we won, we TACKLED. Again, we made great tackles. I want eveyone to look back on that game and see how many great tackles we had. Im happy.
Too bad for Farve…..i actually like him. BUT NOT THIS week.
Were you surprised to see Henry get “injured” in the 4th Q? With the ” three times and out” pot verdict due in a week or two, its obvious that he was looking at his bonus payback probabilities, and likely took a dive.
One item on the Steeler Special Teams: have you ever seen two Return Specialists goof like the Pittsburg guys did in the 4th Q? Real “Alphonse & Gaston” Act. Led to Pittsburg setting up shop on the 6. Pretty funny.
Yeah, too bad the field position was given up by the late hit call on Lynch. I thought that was very questionable. Granted he touched him when he was out of bounds, but it’s not like he hit him. It was only one had for pete’s sake.
THE GREAT PLAY FROM DJ WILLIAMS IN THE FIRST HALF REALLY GOT THE DEFENSE PLAYING WITH EXCITMENT . CUTLER KEEPS GETTING MORE CONFIDENT EVERY GAME . I THINK THE REASON HE THROWS INTERCEPIONS. IS BECAUSE HE IS REALLY A COMPETOR . KEEP PLAYING LIKE YOUR PLAYING AGGRESSIVE THATS THE ONLY WAY TO PLAY IN THE NFL . CONFIDENCE AND AGGRESSIVE PLAYS = WINNING . GO BRONCOS!1!