Steelers’ Halftime Adjustments Account for Pivotal Win

For exactly half of yesterday afternoon’s Steelers-Broncos clash in Pittsburgh, it looked certain that the league’s hottest team was set for an abrupt crash to reality against one of the NFL’s true heavyweights.

But the second half was an entirely different story, as the Steelers’ much-maligned secondary got its act together to put Pittsburgh on track for a wild card berth.

Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler entered Heinz Field as the leader of one of the most anaemic offenses in football. Since making the switch from Peyton Manning, the Broncos simply traded interceptions for slightly less costly three-and-outs.

But throughout much of Sunday’s first half, the Steelers defense made Brock look like prime Peyton en route to 27 points and a commanding two-possession lead at half time.

For some inexplicable reason, the secondary spent much of the game’s first thirty minutes in deep zone coverage, frequently giving the Broncos’ potent receiving corps an eight-to-ten-yard cushion off the line of scrimmage on obvious passing downs.

Osweiler subsequently dinked and dunked his way to three touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown in the midst of four consecutive scoring drives for good measure.

The soft coverage and lack of pass rush to boot probably reminded many Steelers fans of the dark days of Dick LeBeau’s final couple of years, when his once-innovative scheme had passed the league by and opposing offenses were putting up monstrous yards on a weekly basis.

The dominant D was keeping Pittsburgh’s explosive weapons in check, but the offense looked downright unstoppable. That is, until the second half, when someone relayed the message that the secondary had to get back to its identity. That is, competing on passing plays and letting their excellent front seven create opportunities for turnovers.

In time, the defense rose to the task. Defensive backs were slapping down passes, Osweiler was being forced to move around in the pocket, and the momentum began to shift. Given enough opportunities, an offense led by Ben, Brown and Bryant will score some touchdowns in a hurry.

Before the Broncos knew it, they’d been shut out in the second half, and the defense they leaned on so heavily through the season buckled under the pressure, allowing 24 straight points and choking away a comfortable lead.

The win propelled the Steelers into the sixth seed care of a tiebreaker victory over the New York Jets. This team has already proven it can handle the big boys of the AFC. Now, a couple of wins against the struggling Browns and Ravens are all that are holding the Steelers back from potentially running rampant in January.