Coming off a bye week in a hostile environment and being short handed didn't stop the Pittsburgh Steelers(6-2) from another dominating performance on Monday Night Football as they easily handled the Denver Broncos(6-2) 28-10.
The Broncos got the ball first and drove the field but they only came away with three points for an early 3-0 lead. The Steelers couldn't really find a flow on offense and had to punt the ball away. both teams traded empty drives until they got into the second quarter where the Steel curtain showed up once again.
The Denver Broncos got the ball to start the second quarter and they picked up a first down but after that the Steelers used pressure to force Kyle Orton to throw an errant pass that was picked off by Ryan Clark's replacement Tyrone Carter and was returned 48 yards for a touchdown and the only touchdown of the entire first half. The Steelers only ran 18 offensive plays in the half.
To start the second half Pittsburgh looked poised to extend their lead after driving down the field to the Denver 33 yard line but then the Broncos defense took control. On first and ten Ben Roethlisberger dropped back to pass and was sacked and fumbled the ball which was returned 54 yards for a touchdown by Robert Ayers for a 10-7 lead.
But the Steelers would respond like champions do and drive right back down the field for a score. The Steelers offense would hit pay dirt with big plays including an 18 yards completion to Mike Wallace, a 24 yard scamper by Rashard Mendenhall(22 carries for 155 yards), a 35 yard completion to Santonio Holmes(6 catches for 93 yards), and the drive was capped off with a three yard touchdown catch over the middle by the always reliable Hines Ward. The Pittsburgh defense would stop the Broncos once again and the offense looked poised to once again extend their lead but Big Ben threw an interception that was to the Pittsburgh 21 yard line. The defense would hold once again stopping Denver after they picked up one first down.
In the fourth quarter the Steelers would grab a strangle hold on the game scoring 14 points and putting the game away. Troy Polamalu intercepted Orton setting the Steelers up with excellent field position and the offense would pounce all over the opportunity. On the third play after the turnover Roethlisberger(21 of 29 for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns) scrambled and found Wallace(4 catches for 69 yards and 1TD) open in the end zone for a 25 yard scoring strike and a 21-10 lead. The Steelers would tack on an insurance score when Big Ben found Ward(7 receptions for 44 yards and 2TD) once again for a three yard touchdown and a 28-10 lead. Carter would intercept Orton for the second time in the game sealing the victory for the Steelers.
The offense is clicking right now and the defense is dominate once again but they will really need to continue that with Cincinnati rolling into town this weekend. The Steelers are coming off of a short week after leaving the high altitude of Denver so that will be something to watch but Coach Tomlin will have his guys prepared.
GO STEELERS!
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