The Denver Broncos defense comes up big to start the game to force the Pittsburgh Steelers to punt, but that terrible offense once again found a way to screw the team over when Ronnie Hillman fumbles on the second offensive play of the game.
The Steelers promptly drove 21 yards for a DeAngelo Williams touchdown run. Steelers up 7-0 five minutes into the game.
#Steelers show #Broncos how to execute in the red zone. Pittsburgh up 7-0 after the Ronnie Hillman fumble, extra point pending.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 20, 2015
One the Broncos second drive, it became the Brock Osweiler show. He pushed the ball down the field for a couple of good passing gains. After a third down converting throw to Demaryius Thomas, he fumbled the snap and took a bad sack to take the Broncos out of field goal range.
Osweiler would get the yardage back on a quick throw to Emmanuel Sanders, and on third and long Osweiler would hit Jordan Norwood for a solid first down gain to put the Broncos into the red zone.
However, after another bum snap and an incompletion, the Broncos would find themselves in another third and long. Osweiler in a deep drop would throw a dart to Thomas in the end zone to tie the score up 7-7.
We've got a game here, people! That was a 12 play, 85 yard big boy drive right there.
Speaking of Thomas, that touchdown just moved him into 4th place all-time in Broncos history. Elite company Thomas is now keeping.
TD grab marked the 45th of @DemaryiusT's career, moving him into 4th place in Broncos history. Only Smith, Sharpe & McCaffrey have more.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 20, 2015
The Steelers didn't do much on their next drive with Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe converging on Ben Roethlisberger to force another punt.
On the Broncos first play on their next drive, Osweiler would hit Sanders deep for a 61 yard touchdown. Broncos up 14-7 over the Steelers.
Can you say WIDE OPEN? Not a bad first quarter for the Broncos wide receivers.
Not a bad first quarter for @ESanders_10 and @DemaryiusT. pic.twitter.com/ehe2O28a3h
— Jon Heath (@JonHeathNFL) December 20, 2015
On the Steelers next possession, Roethlisberger was getting things going, but Josh Bush came up with a huge interception. The Broncos ended the quarter trying get things going after an offensive pass interference call. 3rd and six coming right up!