The first big play of Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Broncos came on special teams.
Broncos punt returner Omar Bolden returned a Jordan Berry punt 42 yards to the Steelers’ 30-yard-line in the first quarter to set Denver up with prime field position. Peyton Manning hit Demaryius Thomas for 11 yards on the first offensive play of the day for the Broncos, but Thomas dropped a pass on the next play and the drive stalled when a third-down pass to C.J. Anderson left the Broncos just short of a first down.
Brandon McManus kicked a 28-yard field goal after Anderson was stopped and the Broncos lead the game 3-0 with more than 11 minutes to play in the first quarter.
The Steelers went three-and-out on their first drive of the game. Ben Roethlisberger answered a question about his ability to throw deep with his injured right shoulder when he tossed a long incompletion to Markus Wheaton on the first play.