Following every recreation within the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season, I’ll spotlight the occasion or string of occasions within the recreation that was the turning level. Not all turning factors will probably be earth-shattering however are supposed to give a novel have a look at how we arrived on the end result of the sport, one that could be laborious to see throughout the dwell watch.
Over the Denver Broncos’ first 5 drives towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, they managed simply 72 yards on 23 performs. Three of these drives had been three-and-outs, they usually solely crossed the 50-yard line as soon as. It was thorough domination by the Steelers’ protection.
Penalties and different miscues stored the sport shut, simply 10-0 at halftime. Whereas it felt lopsided, the Broncos had been nonetheless very a lot within the recreation.
On the sixth drive, they reached deep into their bag of tips with a wildcat play with Bo Nix aligned as a large receiver. They pitched it again to him and related with Josh Reynolds for 49 yards to have first and objective from the seven-yard line.
It was by far their largest play of the day. It was a big play for lots of causes. In the event that they scored, it will be only a one-possession recreation with the entire momentum on the Broncos’ aspect. This was in Denver, so it received the gang again into the sport. CB Donte Jackson additionally received banged up on the play and needed to exit the sport for a quick time.
Simply have a look at the ambiance after the massive play. The momentum actually felt prefer it was beginning to slip away.
It was starting to really feel like a type of video games the place the Steelers let the opposition grasp round too lengthy with out with the ability to put the ultimate nail within the coffin.
Enter Cory Trice Jr.
As Field Nix mentioned after the sport, “I dropped again, threw it to the opposite crew.”
Cameron Heyward had strain up the center and compelled an errant throw that Trice was capable of capitalize on.
Identical to that, the life was sucked again out of the Broncos followers within the stadium. Their large alternative was squandered, and the Steelers had been capable of shield their lead the remainder of the best way. Simply have a look at the ESPN win chance chart.
This was very clearly the turning level of the sport. The Steelers protection bent, however they didn’t break. Cory Trice snuffed out the spark earlier than it may catch fireplace.
