2020 Steelers Season Recall: Defense seals narrow win over the Denver Broncos
Steel City Underground presents our 2020 Steelers Recall: a look back at Pittsburgh Steelers games and storylines from last season.
In Week Two of the 2020 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers very nearly allowed a game they seemingly had under their complete control turn into a surprise loss. Had the defense not gut-checked and given every effort on a fourth-and-two at the Pittsburgh 15 with under two minutes of regulation time, after dialing up an already blitz-heavy day, the Broncos would have proven they were the more resilient team. Safety Terrell Edmunds, unblocked, raced into the Denver offensive backfield and took backup quarterback Jeff Driskel to the turf for the seventh Steelers sack of the day and preservation of a 26-21 lead that allowed Pittsburgh to run off the remainder of the clock for the win.
Pittsburgh’s defense was dialed up all game. Their constant pressure resulted in Broncos quarterback Drew Lock having to leave the game in the first quarter due to a right shoulder injury. The hit caused Lock to lose the ball and allowed the Steelers to pick up the fumble and carry it to the end zone for a touchdown. When Driskel entered the game, the Steelers harried him to the tune of six sacks and added 17 hits.
“We had a lot(ta) fun getting after the quarterback today, and I think it all starts with smashin’ the run, which we were able to do… to be able to stand up and reel (this game) in is huge for us.” – T.J. Watt post-game with Jay Feeley
Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and rookie Chase Claypool all added highlight-reel plays in Ben Roethlisberger‘s second game back from right elbow surgery. Roethlisberger threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns. His long rainbow throw down the left sideline to Claypool resulted in an 84-yard touchdown. Johnson led all Steelers receivers with eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Smith-Schuster’s biggest moment – one that would have had Heinz Field rocking had there been fans in attendance and not at home due to COVID-19 – may have been when he violently stiff-armed Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia to get down the field and set up a goal-line touchdown for running back James Conner late in the first quarter.
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”The good news is when you play poorly and you still win the football game, that’s something to be thankful (for),” Roethlisberger said following the close match. ”I just need to trust myself making the throws. The guys are in the right spot.”
