Things did not exactly start off how Pittsburgh had hoped for. Chris Boswell lined up for a field goal attempt and unfortunately Justin Simmons got an excellent jump and blocked the 48-yard field goal.
The Broncos took advantage of the blocked field goal as quarterback Case Keenum lead Denver down field with ease. Keenum found former Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders often and hit tight end Jeff Heuerman for a huge reception. Brandon McManus came in and knocked through 41-yard field goal to put the Broncos up 3-0.
Ben Roethlisberger looked to answer back for Pittsburgh, getting James Conner moving on the ground and getting JuJu Smith-Schuster involved in the aerial attack. Big Ben found a wide open Xavier Grimble for a 23-yard reception and what looked to be a touchdown. However, Will Parks delivered a huge hit on Grimble and forced a fumble which in turn resulted in a touchback. Denver gets the ball back.
Roethlisberger got a second shot to lead the Steelers offense down field once more. Big Ben connected with Conner and also let the young man work on the ground to set Boswell up for a 41-yard field goal. Steelers tie 3-3 after the Boswell field goal.
Rookie running back Phillip Lindsay set the tone for the Broncos next drive with a 32-yard run, then Case Keenum found Matt LaCosse for a 10-yard touchdown to cap off the Denver drive. Broncos lead 10-3 after the McManus extra point.
Roethlisberger got the ball back with limited time right before the half, and Big Ben found Ryan Switzer for a huge gain to put Pittsburgh comfortably in the red-zone. The Steelers looked to be going for the points and taking the Boswell field goal, but Boswell had other plans. The Steelers kicker pulled off some tricker on a fake kick in which he found Alejandro Villanueva for a wide open touchdown with the first half coming to a close. Steelers tie the game at 10 with this glorious play.
CHRIS BOSWELL
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 25, 2018
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ALEJANDRO VILLANUEVA ????
(Yes, you read that correctly.) pic.twitter.com/0FtvWfCkCO
It took Pittsburgh a few minutes into the second half to get anything going and Big Ben found JuJu for a huge 97-yard touchdown. Flashbacks of a similar big-time connection from last season's game against the Detroit Lions anyone?
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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 25, 2018
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‼️ pic.twitter.com/bFQ8ZFV5ix
James Conner came out hot on Pittsburgh's next drive with a nice first down run right out of the gate. Unfortunately, Roethlisberger handed the ball right back to Denver on an errant throw to AB in which Chris Harris intercepted the pass.
Case Keenum struck early with a deep pass to Emmanuel Sanders for 38 yards only to find him once more in the end zone for a Denver touchdown. Denver ties the game back at 17.
The Steelers offense looked to be getting in a groove until James Conner got into wide-open field where he coughed up the ball and gave the Broncos the ball once more. Phillip Lindsay took matters into his own hands, crushing the Steelers on the ground. Lindsay would ultimately make the most of the Denver takeaway and pound the rock in for the Broncos. Denver regains the lead, 24-17.
JuJu Smith-Schuster came up with a huge catch for Pittsburgh to extend the drive and Roethlisberger looked for Ryan Switzer often for check downs to keep the offense on the field. JuJu was the man again for Big Ben on a 3rd down call before going for his usual favorite target in AB. Unfortunately the tale of this one was the turnovers for Pittsburgh and their final possession was no different. Roethlisberger threw an errant pass right into the hands of a Denver defender and cost Pittsburgh the game after easily getting down field.
Denver comes out victorious to end Pittsburgh's winning streak, 24 to 17.
Stat Leaders for Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger 462 Passing Yards 1 Touchdown 2 Interceptions
James Conner 53 Rushing Yards
JuJu Smith-Schuster 13 Receptions 189 yards 1 Touchdown
Terrell Edmunds 9 Tackles
