Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos: Third quarter recap

The Denver Broncos got the ball first and after what I would call a ticky tack pass interference call had it been called on my team, the drive would stall and the Broncos would have to punt again after a bubble screen to Andre Caldwell was promptly blown up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the first play, Ben Roethlisberger hits a wide open Martavis Bryant for a huge catch and run pass play to set the Steelers up in field goal range. Another completion to Bryant brings the ball into the red zone.

However, on third down Aqib Talib would finally make a play in the end zone against Bryant to save the touchdown. Steelers up 13-9.

Peyton Manning takes over at the 20 who would hit Emmanuel Sanders for 19 yards, but then the Broncos go back to handing the ball off to Ronnie Hillman who currently has 10 carries for 24 yards in the game. They bring C.J. Anderson in finally, but Manning throws the ball on third down for an incomplete pass.

On the ensuing possession, the Steelers get the ball inside their own five yard line after a nice punt by Britton Colquitt.

The Broncos defense rises to the occasion with a three and out, giving their offense good field position at their own 47 yard line. A deep throw here would be perfect.

Instead, Manning hits Sanders then Jordan Norwood on consecutive passes for ten yards. Then C.J. Anderson rips off an eleven yard gain, but Manning would be sacked back at the Steelers 30 yard line to set up second and long. After a short completion to Cody Latimer, Manning would not be able to convert the third and 11 as the wind caused Manning's pass to sail on him.

Brandon McManus knocks the 41 yarder through the uprights to cut the Steelers lead back to one, 13-12, with a little under three minutes to go in the third quarter.

Roethlisberger torches Chris Harris Jr. on the first play for 24 yards, which would seem to set the Steelers off on a march into field goal range to close out the third quarter. However, a sack and subsequent 15-yard face mask penalty would put the Steelers out of field goal range instead.