Steelers dominate first half, hang on to beat Broncos 13-6

DENVER — If yards were points, the Pittsburgh Steelers would have trounced the Broncos by a halftime mercy rule.

Luckily for the Broncos, they still had a chance as they were only down 10-0 at the break on a hot, bright, Sunday afternoon before a towel-waving (orange for some fans, yellow for others) sold-out gathering at Empower Field at Mile High.

However, a Bo Nix interception deep in the end zone on a second-and-goal attempt from the 6 doomed the Broncos’ chances. The Steelers hung on to win, 13-6 as Nix’s desperation pass in the final second was also intercepted.

The Broncos are already in trouble. They are 0-2 with a two-game Eastern road trip at Tampa Bay and at the New York Jets up next.

It could have been worse for the Broncos at halftime as the Steelers had 189 yards in total offense to 62 for Denver.

Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has been superb filling in for the calf-injured Russell Wilson, completing 10 of 12 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown by halftime. Fields has also rushed for 26 yards on five carries at the half. He was outstanding for three quarters against the Denver defense last season as a member of the Chicago Bears.

The Bears were up 28-7 late in the third quarter in that game but Russell Wilson led a Broncos’ comeback for a 31-28 Denver win.

The Broncos’ quarterback now is the rookie Nix, who was 7 of 11 but for only 39 yards at halftime as all pass attempts have been short. He was sacked twice.

Payton started calling more downfield throws in the second half and Nix finished 20 of 35 for 246 yards with two interceptions.

The offenses on both sides sputtered some more in the third quarter, although the Broncos had the best drive thanks to back-to-back downfield passes by Nix. The first was a deep in to Courtland Sutton for 26 yards. Then following some razzle-dazzle — running back Javonte Williams taking the direct snap, moving left to pitch back to receiver Sutton, who pitched to Nix, who threw deep downfield to Josh Reynolds, who outmaneuvered two Steeler defenders for a 49-yard reception.

The Broncos had first and goal at the 7.

But on second and goal from the 6, Nix threw a pass towards Sutton in the back of the end zone — only to have Steeler defensive back Coryu Trice Jr. step inside to intercept it. Ugh.

Steelers’ ball out to the 20. No points for the Broncos. All three of Nix’s interceptions this year have been intended for Sutton, whatever that may mean.

The Steelers led 7-0 after the first quarter as Fields converted a third-and-goal with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington. Each team had two full possessions in the opening quarter with the Steelers outgaining the Broncos, 81 yards to 8.

Broncos head coach and play-caller Sean Payton tried to establish a running game early but again the yards were hard to come by and his offense started with back-to-back, three-and-outs.

Fields made four impressive plays on the touchdown drive. First, he hit George Perkins on a quick slant for 13 yards to beat a blitz and convert a third down. Then he outraced edge rusher Jonathon Cooper’s sack attempt to the left sideline and sped up the left sideline for 16 yards.  

Later on third-and-5, Fields drew Cooper offside with a hard count. First down. Finally, on third-and-goal from 5, Fields threw a perfect pass to the left corner of the end zone where only Washington could catch it and cover man P.J. Locke could not.

The best offensive weapon the Broncos had in the first half was punter Riley Dixon, who dropped a boot that had a kind bounce followed by the hustle of Justin Strnad and Michael Burton to down the ball at the Steelers 1. Although the Steelers moved the ball easily out of their hole, two holding penalties killed their drive at midfield.

The Steelers were big on yards – 154 to 26 in total yards with 7:04 left in the second quarter – but they were only up, 7-0.

Finally, the Broncos’ offense got rolling thanks to No. 3 running back Tyler Badie. Called up from the practice squad for this game, Badie cut in for a 16-yard gain on his first carry of the game, first carry since 2022 and only the second rush attempt of his career.

Nix also ran for 13 yards up the middle on a quarterback draw and the Broncos were in Steelers’ territory. The drive reached the Steelers’ 39 but it was fourth and 7 with 2:32 left in the half.

Payton first elected for a field-position punt but when the Steelers called timeout, the Broncos coach had time to re-think his strategy. He went for it. Nix’s short pass attempt to Troy Franklin on a slant was knocked down near the line of scrimmage by inside linebacker Patrick Queen.

The Steelers had the ball in decent field position. They moved into a first-and-goal situation inside 30 seconds but a touchdown pass from Fields to Pickens was called back by a Steelers’ pick penalty on Van Jefferson. The Steelers settled for a short Chris Boswell field goal to end the first half.

Boswell added a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter to put Pittsburgh up, 13-0.

The Broncos finally scored on a short Wil Lutz field goal with 10:42 left in regulation. The key to the field goal drive was Nix converting a fourth and 6 from the Steeler 44 by hitting Reynolds, who got wide open across the middle for a 22-yard gain.

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