DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on September 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Broncos fall to 0-2 after losing to the Steelers 13-6. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
The Steelers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half so Bo Nix and the Broncos offense started the game with the ball. After attempting to get the ground game going, the offense was faced with a 3rd and 10 completion to Greg Dulcich for 7 yards and the Broncos were punting early.
The Denver defense did it's job holding Justin Fields and the Steelers offense to 7 yards on their first drive so each team exchanged 3-and-outs.
Bo Nix back to work starting at his own 15 yard line and the result was the same, 3-and-out after Nix was sacked by Alex Highsmith on 3rd and 2.
The Steelers got the first 1st down of the game on 3rd down on a slant to George Pickens and then Jonathon Cooper couldn't quite reach Fields in the backfield and he scrambled for 16 yards. The Steelers worked into Denver territory with the ground game, Jaylen Warren and then it was Fields hitting TE Pat Freiermuth at the Broncos 5 yard line. Jonah Ellis sacked Justin Fields on 1st and goal but on 3rd and goal from the 5 yard line, Justin Fields hit Darnell Washington for a touchdown and Pittsburgh took an early 7-0 lead with 1:56 remaining in the 1st quarter.
So, now in a hole, the Broncos offense went back to work hoping to at least get their first 1st down of the game and they got it with a checkdown pass to Javonte Williams for 7 yards on 3rd down. Unfortunately, that drive didn't go much further as the Broncos were forced to punt a couple plays later. Broncos special teams continued to be an early highlight to the season as Riley Dixon's punt was downed at the 1 yard line by Tremon Smith and Michael Burton.
Last week the Broncos defense forced two Safeties but weren't able to get one on this possession as a couple of handoffs to Najee Harris netted the Steelers a first down. Jaylen Warren caught a pass in the flat for another first down. On 3rd and 11, Fields converts to Pickens for 16 yards and the drive continued. A pair of holding calls stalled the promising drive for Pittsburgh at midfield and it's a good thing because Fields completed a ridiculous pass to George Pickens down the right sideline that would've set the Steelers up in a Goal to Go situation. Corliss Waitman's punt skipped into the end zone so Bo Nix and the offense would start their next drive from their own 20 yard line with 7:04 remaining in the 1st half.
Tyler Badie helped the drive get off to a good start with a 16 yard run that moved the ball to the 40 yard line. Bo Nix on a designed run gained 13 yards into Steelers territory but after a TJ Watt sack, Nix completed a crossing route to Marvin Mims to set up 4th down and 7 at the Pittsburgh 38 yard line. Bo Nix pass was batted at the line of scrimmage and fell incomplete with 2:28 remaining in the 1st half.
Steelers take over at their own 39 yard line and, even though Zach Allen was able to get a sack on Fields, they still moved the ball into Denver territory and eventually got a huge Pass Interference call against Riley Moss at the Broncos 13 yard line while he was covering Van Jefferson. He was shaken up but came back in. The Steelers offense stalled with 1 second remaining in the 1st half and Chris Boswell converted a 22 yard field goal to extend the Pittsburgh lead 10-0.
Justin Fields and Pittsburgh started at their own 25 yard line to begin the 3rd quarter. The Steelers offense was quickly to midfield after a completion to Pat Freiermuth but on 3rd and 10, the Broncos defense forced a punt and the Broncos offense went to work from their 20 yard line for the first time in the 2nd half.
Bo Nix got the ball to Josh Reynolds for a 9 yard gain but on 3rd and 1, Javonte Williams was stuffed in the backfield for a 5 yard loss and Denver was forced to punt again.
Pittsburgh went quickly 3-and-out and the Broncos offense went back to work at their own 15 yard line with 8:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The offense FINALLY started to attack downfield as Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for a 26 yard gain and then on the next play, Javonte Williams took the direct snap, lateraled it to Sutton, then got it to Bo Nix who threw it 49 yards to Josh Reynolds. Just when it seemed like the Broncos might finally get some points, Bo Nix threw an interception in the back of the end zone while targeting Courtland Sutton and the ball went right back to Pittsburgh.
On the first play of the next drive, Justin Fields took a deep shot to George Pickens and Pat Surtain was called for defensive pass interference. A 37 yard penalty. This would eventually set up a 53 yard field goal for Chris Boswell and they extended the lead 13-0 with 4:16 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos offense would go 3-and-out on their next drive giving the ball right back to Pittsburgh.
Denver's defense doing it's part was able to also force a 3 and out so the Broncos remained only two scores down with 1:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Bo Nix and the offense needed to get some points and they were able to put together a 12 play drive that resulted in a 35 yard field goal by Wil Lutz to get Denver on the board 13-3 with 10:42 remaining. A key play on the drive was Josh Reynolds 22 yard catch on 4th and 6.
The Broncos defense needed to get a stop and on 3rd down and 7, Nik Bonitto caused an offensive hold to make it 3rd and 16. Steelers run the ball and were forced to punt the ball back to Denver, who would start their next drive at their own 30 after a Marvin Mims return with 8:43 remaining in the game.
Broncos eventually go three and out after both teams exchange several offsetting penalties.
The defense did its job and got the ball back to the offense and they executed 9 play, 69 yard drive that resulted in a 29 yard field goal from Wil Lutz to pull the Broncos within 1 score, 13-6. The Broncos elected to NOT attempt an onside kick so, after the defense did it's job forcing another 3 and out, the Broncos offense would get the ball back with 8 seconds remaining. After a quick completion, Bo Nix was intercepted on the final play of the game and the Broncos lose to the Steelers 13-6.
The next broadcast is on September 22nd as the Broncos travel to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coverage on KOA begins at 7am MTN.
Below are postgame interviews with Sean Payton and Bo Nix.