Game Recap

1st Quarter:
No Score
Pittsburgh won the toss and elected to receive. They punted away on 4th and 13 at their own 24 yd line after Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil sacked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger for a 7 yd loss on 3rd down.
7 - 0 Broncos lead
Denver put up the 1st points of the game with a 16 yd TD reception by Broncos WR Rod Smith. Key Play: WR Javon Walker 38 yd reception.
On the ensuing kickoff, Steelers WR Santonio Holmes returned the ball 24 yds and was hit by Broncos LB Keith Burns, forcing a fumble. The ball was recovered by Broncos CB Darrent Williams who returned it to the Pittsburgh 10 yd line.
14 - 0 Broncos lead
Three plays later, Broncos QB Jake Plummer hit WR Javon Walker in the endzone from 10 yds out, just 23 seconds after the 1st score, and just 4 minutes into the game.
Pittsburgh marched back down the field, gaining two 1st downs, and decided to go for it on 4th and 2 at the Denver 41. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger connected with WR Cedric Wilson who went 35 yds to the Denver 6 yd line. He was hit by Broncos S Sam Brandon and the ball was knocked loose. Broncos CB Darrent Williams recovered his 2nd fumble of the game, effectively stopping Pittsburgh's drive.
Denver got to the 21 yd line before being forced to punt after a 50 yd reception by rookie WR Brandon Marshall was called back for offensive holding. The ball was fielded by Steelers WR Santonio Holmes who returned it 5 yds before being hit by Broncos LB Louis Green. Holmes fumbled again but the ball was recovered by Steelers DB Bryant McFadden to retain possession for Pittsburgh.

2nd Quarter:
14 - 7 Broncos lead
Pittsburgh put up their 1st points to narrow the lead to 7 with a 15 yd TD reception by RB Willie Parker. Key Plays: TE Heath Miller 21 yds on 2 receptions, WR Santonio Holmes 18 yd reception.
Denver went 3 and out on their next possession and punted back to Pittsburgh, who had a new punt returner in position. The Steelers marched down the field again to the Denver 14 yd line. On 3rd and 7, Broncos CB Champ Bailey picked off Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger at the 3 yd line and returned it 5 yds to the 8. Denver was unable to capitalize on the turnover and punted back.
14 - 10 Broncos lead
On their ensuing possession, the Steelers were at 4th and 1 on the Denver 22 yd line. They chose to kick a FG but the 40 yd attempt sailed wide right for no score. The Broncos again went 3 and out and Pittsburgh was once again in Denver territory. This time the FG was good, a 46 yarder by Steelers K Jeff Reed.

3rd Quarter:
21 - 10 Broncos lead
This time around, Denver got the ball 1st and on the 1st play of the half, Broncos WR Javon Walker took the ball 72 yds on an end-around for Denver's longest TD run since Mike Anderson's 80 yarder at New Orleans in 2000.
Broncos CB Champ Bailey got his 2nd INT of the game and his 5th of the year, again at the 3 yd line, on a deep ball intended for Steelers WR Hines Ward. The play came on 3rd and 19 at the Denver 41 after Broncos DE Kenard Lang sacked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger for a 9 yd loss on 2nd and 10. Eight plays later, Denver punted away, unable to captialize on the turnover.
21 - 17 Broncos lead
Pittsburgh answered by putting up 7 more with a 3 yd TD run by Steelers RB Willie Parker to cap a 7 play, 54 yd drive. Parker fumbled earlier in the drive but the ball was recovered by Steelers T Marvel Smith to retain possession. Key Plays: RB Najeh Davenport 19 yd run, 15 yd personal foul penalty on Denver CB Domonique Foxworth for unnecessary roughness.
On 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 37, Broncos QB Jake Plummer fired down the left sideline to WR Rod Smith. The pass was intercepted by Steelers CB Deshea Townsend but he bobbled the ball and didn't get both feet down before stepping out of bounds. The play was challenged by Denver and reversed to an incomplete call. The Broncos offense stalled and 3 plays later the Broncos were forced to punt.

4th Quarter:
28 - 17 Broncos lead
Pittsburgh went 3 and out and punted to Broncos CB Darrent Williams who returned the ball 10 yds to Pittsburgh's 32 yd line. Steelers DE Aaron Smith was called for unnecessary roughness and the Broncos started their drive on the Pittsburgh 17. Five plays later, Broncos QB Jake Plummer connected with WR Javon Walker for a 10 yd TD, the 3rd of the game for both players.
28 - 20 Broncos lead
On their ensuing drive, the Steelers answered with a 29 yd FG by K Jeff Reed. Key Plays: WR Hines Ward 63 yd reception, RB Willie Parker 14 yd reception.
31 - 20 Broncos lead
Denver answered with a FG of their own, a 32 yarder off the foot of K Jason Elam. The Broncos were going to go for it on 4th and 1 at the 9 but a false start penalty on Broncos T George Foster pushed them back 5 yds to set up 4th and 6. Key Plays: WR Javon Walker 61 yd reception, RB Mike Bell 10 yd rush.
Pittsburgh marched 62 yds down to the Denver 11 in a no huddle offense determined to score. On 1st and 10, Steelers WR Hines Ward caught a short pass and ran to the 1 yd line where he was hit by Broncos S John Lynch. Ward fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Broncos S Curome Cox in the endzone. He returned it 11 yds to the Denver 9. The Pittsburgh defense stood tall, forcing the Broncos to punt from their own endzone.
31 - 20 Broncos win
With their last possession, the Steelers faced a 4th and 10 at midfield with 17 seconds left. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw a Hail Mary down the right sideline but it was intercepted by Broncos S Curome Cox at the Denver 12. The turnover marked the 6th of the game for the Steelers. Broncos QB Jake Plummer knelt to run out the clock for the final play of the game, sealing the Broncos' win.

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