Their quarterback played hurt and their best receiver never suited up. The Steelers, it seemed, were right where the Broncos wanted them — on the ropes.
But through three quarters Sunday at Sports Authority Field, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger carved up the Denver defense. Pittsburgh partied all over the Broncos' staggered secondary.
The Denver defense, though, figured out how to turn the tide just in time.
Bradley Roby forced a fourth-quarter fumble, poking the ball from running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, after which the Broncos scored their lone touchdown. On the ensuing possession, DeMarcus Ware sacked Roethlisberger on a fourth-and-5 play to rescue the Broncos in their AFC divisional round victory.