Steelers at Broncos second quarter recap

The Pittsburgh Steelers are dominating the Denver Broncos, but are up only 10-0 at halftime.

Despite getting a first down as the first quarter came to an end, Bo Nix missed on an overthrow on an intermediate throw to Greg Dulcich and then misfired to Josh Reynolds at the first down marker for another punt for the hapless Denver Broncos offense.

Riley Dixon continued his punting prowess into Week 2 as his kick was down at the one foot line for the Pittsburgh Steelers next possession.

Despite starting from that position, the Steelers got the ball moving anyway and quickly got the ball out past the 25 in just three plays. However two plays later, Fields and the Steelers offense were faced with a third and long. Fields found an open George Pickens who beat Pat Surtain for a big gain to their own 41-yard line.

Najae Harris then ripped off a big gain across midfield for 11 yards. The Broncos defense had no answer for Fields and the Steelers in the first half. The only way the Steelers could be stopped was by their own Broderick Jones who was penalized three times for 25 yards to save what was easily going to be a scoring drive as one of those penalties wiped out a bomb to Pickens that would have given them the ball inside the five. Instead, they punted.

On the Broncos next drive, things got off on a good footing with a short pass on first down then Tyler Badie broken through an open hole for a huge 16-yard gain. After a neutral zone infraction on the Steelers, Nix was nearly sacked on first down and five. He was able to throw the ball away. Nix on a design quarterback sneak on the next play gained a quick 13 yards and another first down on the drive.

That drive crashed and burned from there after a T.J. Watt shoestring sack on Nix to force a third and 15. A short pass over the middle ended up well short of the first down marker. It looked like they were going to punt, but after the Steelers called a timeout they sent their offense back onto the field. The fourth and seven pass attempt was batted down.

That gave the Steelers excellent field position at the two minutes warning. A Riley Moss pass interference call set them up with a red zone opportunity with 21 seconds left in the half. After a short pass down to the Broncos six-yard line, Fields completed a pass for a touchdown but it was called back by an offensive pass interference penalty.

Saving the touchdown was huge given the Steelers would get the ball to start the second half, but they still go into half time up two scores.

Steelers 10, Broncos 0.