The Steelers recovered a fumble in the first quarter at the Denver 47, made a first down and then punted from the Denver 45.
You have to turn that into some points.
If the Steelers at least get a field goal there, they go into the half up 13-7 and have the ball to open the third quarter.
That changes the entire complexion of the game.
@ Through three quarters, Ben Roethlisberger was 10 of 11 for 129 yards on third downs and the Steelers converted 10 of 16 third downs.
Roethlisberger converted his first third down in the fourth quarter - a 3-yard TD pass to Mike Wallace - but then missed Heath Miller on third-and-three on his next attempt, giving the ball back to the Broncos.
That allowed Peyton Manning and company to eat up a bunch of clock on a field goal drive.
When you're playing a future Hall of Fame quarterback on the road, you've got to be nearly perfect. Roethlisberger was just short of that on third downs.
@ I thought it was a curious decision that Casey Hampton got so much playing time over Steve McLendon.
Not that Hampton necessarily played poorly, but McLendon is more of a pass rusher than Hampton, who had barely played in the preseason.
Speaking of pass rush, where was it? Larry Foote had a sack and a couple of QB hits and Jason Worilds had a sack and hit, but that was it.
Nothing from anyone else.
Peyton Manning completed just one pass more than 20 yards down the field, so they were getting the ball out quickly. But how about knocking a ball or two down at the line of scrimmage?
@ The Steelers gambled with their offensive line, keeping just eight healthy guys and going into Sunday's game with just seven guys active.
Ramon Foster got poked in the eye and was unable to return, while Marcus Gilbert suffered a hyperextended knee.
They were one injury away from Heath Miller playing tackle.
@ I've been beating this drum for a while now, but Jonathan Dwyer has got to get the ball more than Isaac Redman.
@ I have no problem with Mike Tomlin challenging Eric Decker's 17-yard catch at the 1. The ball was fumbled through the end zone and the Broncos hurried to the line of scrimmage to run another play before Tomlin or any of his coaches upstairs could see a replay.
If Decker had fumbled out of the end zone, it would have been Pittsburgh ball with a 19-14 lead. It was a risk worth taking.
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