The Pittsburgh Steelers might have hit some speed bumps in the second half, but they managed to fend off the Denver Broncos and board the plane home with a pristine 2-0 record!
First Half Fireworks
Justin Fields ignited the show early, slinging a touchdown pass to the imposing tight end Darnell Washington as the Steelers jumped to a solid 10-point lead. With Chris Boswell’s steel-like nerves, he nailed his eighth field goal of the season in the second half, extending their cushion to a cozy 13 points. The Broncos, though, weren’t ready to throw in the towel! After the two-minute warning, they clawed back with a touchdown, making it a nerve-wracking one-score game, 13-6.
Sean Payton’s Head-Scratcher
But wait, there’s more! Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a call that raised quite a few eyebrows. Down by seven, after Wil Lutz’s field goal, Payton decided to kick deep despite having a solitary timeout and just 18 seconds left! Whoa, talk about living on the edge! Rookie Marvin Mims gobbled up 10 precious seconds on the punt return, setting them up at their own 19-yard line. Two frantic plays later, Bo Nix’s Hail Mary was gobbled up by Damontae Kazee – game, set, match!
Penalties & Missed Opportunities
The penalty bug bit the Broncos hard. Nine flags flew their way on Sunday, including a drive-extending pass interference on Pat Surtain II that allowed Boswell to slot home his second field goal. Those yellow flags have hampered their flow, with a hefty 17 penalties slapped on them over the first two weeks. Payton’s squad needs to tighten those screws; they aren’t quite formidable enough on either front to shrug off these setbacks like they’re nothing.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix hit a stat line of 20-of-35 for 246 yards, but another pick in the end zone soured his performance – that’s four interceptions over the past two games. No bueno for the 0-2 squad heading into a clash with the undefeated Buccaneers.
Steelers’ Offensive Roller Coaster
Fields and the ground game laid the foundation like architects in the first half, but the second half was a different story. Suffice it to say, the Steelers’ offense was in a funk, earning just three first downs while the punt team looked like they were on repeat. However, what matters in the NFL is the “W”, and they got it.
Injury Watch and Next Week
Keep an eye out for updates on Russell Wilson’s health as the Steelers gear up for a face-off with the Chargers, both sitting at a solid 2-0! The Steelers’ defense will almost certainly bring their A-game; let’s just hope either quarterback can fire up their engines because 31 points in two games needs boosting! Knock off some of those penalties, and this offense might start clicking with the harmony of a well-oiled machine. Fingers crossed, Steelers fans!
In the realm of football, it isn’t just about dodging obstacles but turning them into stepping stones—and the Steelers seem to be mastering this art. Next stop: a showdown in prime-time! Get ready for another adrenaline-pumping Sunday!
