Steelers Offense Plays Half A Game And Wins

The 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers went into Denver to face the 6-1 Broncos Monday needing a victory to stay tied for the AFC North with the 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers offense played the first quarter more like the Cleveland Browns than the defending Super Bowl Champions. They will play the Bengals next and they have to beat them to nullify the tie breaker because of losing to them early this season.

The Broncos went on top first with a field goal on their opening possession. That would be their only offensive score of the game. The Steelers first score came in the second quarter when safety, Tyrone Carter took an interception in for a touchdown. He was starting because of health concerns for Ryan Clark. Carter had two interceptions on the night.

The Steelers defense gave up 221 yards passing, only allowed 27 yards rushing. They also intercepted Orton three times and sacked him twice. The Steelers looked pretty flat on offense the whole first half. With only 23 yards on the ground and 31 yards passing, the Steelers were lucky to be ahead 7-3 at half time. The Broncos had the ball for almost ten minutes more than they did.

It looked like they were going do much better when they came out for the second half. Ben lead them from their own 17 to the Broncos 33 on the opening drive. Then he was sacked and fumbled the ball and the Broncos ran it in for a touchdown. Now they were behind 10-3.

I guess that fumble and score made Roethlisberger mad. As soon as he got the ball back he began to dismantle the Broncos defense ending with a touchdown pass to Hines Ward. The Steelers went on top and never looked back. Ben threw three touch down passes in the second half and the Steelers won 28-10.

Rashard Mendenhall ran for 155 yards and Ben was 21 for 29 and 233 yards, but he was sacked thee times for 31 yards. Watch Steelers vs Broncos video.