Sunday Afternoon Rebuttal

After another miracle transpired last night, I'm sure some would be quick to say that I was under the assumption the Broncos didn't deserve to be in the Playoffs. And no, that's not the case. A team that doesn't deserve to be in the Playoffs is one that makes the Playoffs and doesn't show up. The Falcons decided to retire early, the Lions left their Defense at home, and both the Texans and Bengals forgot what good competition is. The Steelers and Broncos both belonged in the Playoffs. The Steelers did let the Broncos jump out to an early lead but they didn't play dead afterwards like so many other teams have before. However, letting Pittsburgh back into the game like they did makes me think there won't be any more miracles this season.

The Steelers were lucky to be in the position they were last night. There was a play late in the 3rd that was a clear lateral, and the play was called dead. But because a play like that wasn't grandfathered into the 'we can recover a fumble after the whistle' rule a year ago, the Steelers got to keep the ball instead of Denver having it late in Pittsburgh territory, which would've been the difference in the game if they had scored. Instead, Pittsburgh got to keep the ball, allowing them to march downfield and score, getting them back in the game.

Late game shenanigans also cost the Steelers as well. Getting the ball back with 1:47 left and 2 timeouts, the Steelers slowly crept down the field, reminiscent of the Eagles late game drive in Super Bowl 39. They lacked the urgency that they usually do, one a Championship team usually possesses. Instead of trying for a late-game field goal, the game went to overtime, where Tebow threw an 80-yard Touchdown pass to Thomas for a trip to New England next week.

Denver played the game they needed to play. They made the big plays, they played smart. Pittsburgh on the other hand played cocky, were arrogant, not taking their opponent seriously. Like the Saints the season before against Seattle, they felt indestructible going into Denver, but in the end their season fell apart, and they only added to the mantle of Tebow.