In a season that will be remembered for what could have been, the Pittsburgh Steelers headed to Denver a touchdown underdog, facing a myriad of injuries and having plenty of excuses for coming up short against the top-seeded Broncos.
Instead, the Steelers (11-7) clung to a one-point fourth-quarter lead before Broncos running back C.J. Anderson would score on a one-yard dive with just over two minutes remaining to help the Broncos (13-4) get a 23-16 win and advance to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots next week.
Anderson rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown while former Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders caught five passes for 85 yards to help lead the Broncos to victory.
Courageous effort by Big Ben — Despite of a painful injury to his throwing shoulder, Roethlisberger put together a gutsy effort and almost led the Steelers to a huge upset in Denver. Roethlisberger completed passes to eight different receivers, including several big passing plays to Martavis Bryant, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Markus Wheaton.
For the second time this season, Roethlisberger threw for over 300 yards against the Broncos’ top-ranked pass defense and just as importantly, did not throw any interceptions.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense had one last chance to get a score while trailing 20-13 with just over two minutes remaining in the game, but back to back sacks by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware would ultimately stop Roethlisberger from writing another chapter in his career of late game heroics.
Only one turnover, but a costly one — It’s hard not to feel terrible for Steelers running back Fitzgerald Toussaint after his fumble while attempting to get a few extra yards. It would breathe new life into a Broncos offense that could not find traction much of the game. Toussaint’s miscue was the only turnover of the game and it came with the Steelers clinging to a lead with 9:52 remaining.
Toussaint stepped from as a practice squad player to a playoff starter and made an impact, but he’ll sadly be remembered this offseason for his costly fumble that put the Broncos in position to take a late lead.
Special teams far from special — Outside of kicker Chris Boswell, who kicked three more field goals, the Steelers special teams unit once again was terrible. An early 41-yard punt return by Omar Bolden gave the Broncos great field position and set up their first field goal, a 27-yard punt by Jordan Berry set up a second.
Berry would later make the decision to pass on a 52-yard field goal look questionable when his punt went into the end zone, netting 14 yards after the Steelers took a delay of game penalty to give him more room to kick.
Wheaton, who filled in for an injured Antonio Brown in punt returns, looked absolutely lost with several miscues that cost the Steelers precious field position and was fortunate not to have a botched punt near his own end zone recovered by the Broncos or end up being a safety.
Defense comes ready to play — The Steelers defense has been under fire much of the season but tonight’s effort against the Broncos high powered offense was outstanding. Although the Broncos were able to score 10 key fourth quarter points that helped them get a hard fought win, give the Steelers defense credit for limiting Peyton Manning to 222 passing yards while also holding Demaryius Thomas to four catches for only 40 yards.
Playing in what could be his final game with the Steelers, James Harrison had seven tackles and a sack.
The Broncos will now host the Patriots next Sunday with the winner set to represent the AFC in the 50th edition of the Super Bowl.
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