Report Card: Steelers - Broncos Offense, Defense, Special Teams & Coaching Grades

Pts: 23 | Total Yards: 400, 244 passing - 156 rushing

1st downs: 21 | 3rd down conversions: 7-16 | 4th down: 0-1

Drives: 1st Quarter - 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:46 elapsed, (Suisham 45-yard field goal) | 4 plays, 24 yards, 2:00 elapsed, Kapino's punt | 12 plays, 47 yards, 5:50 elapsed, (Suisham 38-yard field goal) | 2nd Quarter - 3 plays, 52 yards, 0:15 elapsed, Kapinos 62-yard punt | 2 plays, 3 yards, 1:22 elapsed, Roethlisberger intercepted at PIT 27 | 4 plays, 14 yards, 2:09 elapsed, Kapinos 48 yard punt | 5 plays, 48 yards, 0:35 elapsed, Kapinos 39 yard punt | 3rd Quarter - 11 plays, 88 yards, 5:56 elapsed, (1 yard Mike Wallace TD run) | 4th Quarter - 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:11 elapsed, (Suisham 37 yard field goal) | 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:47 elapsed, (Jerricho Cotchery 31 TD reception) | 7 plays, 28 yards, 1:37 elapsed, end of quarter

The Steelers offense produced 6 points in the first half but came to life in the second half, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal forcing overtime. The Steelers though showed signs once again of being a yardage offense, which in a few words is an offense that produces lots of yardage but often has to settle for field goals.

Some might look to the Steelers inability to put a touchdown on the board in their first two offensive drives as a turning point in the game. Pittsburgh on their first drive had a 1st and 10 at Denver's 35 yard line. The Steelers would have to settle for a field goal and then went 12 plays, 47 yards on their third possession of the first quarter but again had to settle for a field goal.

Prior to that possession, Denver had back-to-back three and outs and 8 yards on six plays.

Things changed quickly as Denver went on to outscore Pittsburgh 20-0 in the second quarter, taking a 20-6 half time lead.

Position Grades: QB C+ | RB A | WR C+ | OL C- | DL B- | LB D | DB F | ST A

QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER (22/40, 289 YDS, 1TD, 1INT, 75.9)

Grade: C+ - Fans were surely calling for Charlie Batch in the first half, as Roethlisberger could barely move in the second quarter and was a liability. Roethlisberger though battled back in the second half and made several passing plays with his legs, rolling out and improvising which he does best. He was sacked 5 times, intercepted and dodged a bullet on the game tying drive as Champ Bailey dropped a sure interception and on the next play Roethlisberger connected with Cotchery for a 31 TD strike. However, in the end, Roethlisberger was outplayed by Tim Tebow who unlike Roethlisberger came up with more game changing plays.

RB ISAAC REDMAN (17 CAR - 121 YDS - 7.1 AVG)

Grade: A    - The Steelers didn't miss a beat without Rashard Mendenhall, and Isaac Redman showed enough in the Steelers final two games that there's no reason to make the running back position a priority this off-season due to Mendenhall's injury. Redman an exclusive rights free agent, had big runs of 32, 28 and 13 yards and Redman sparked the Steelers in the third quarter with a 32 yard run to the one yard line, setting up Mike Wallace's 1 yard touchdown run.

WR EMMANUEL SANDERS (6 REC - 81 YDS)

Grade: B+   - Sanders had a nice end to what was a devastating season for him, losing his mother who passed away and being limited most of the season with foot and knee injury. Sanders though shined in the loss, leading the Steelers with 6 receptions for 81 yards and made some key grabs down the stretch. If he can stay healthy, the future is bright.

WR ANTONIO BROWN (5 REC - 70 YDS)

Grade: B+     - Brown showed again that he's the true No. 1 receiver on this team, not Mike Wallace. A tremendous route runner, there isn't a better pass catcher or route runner on this team. Brown was targeted seven times and had 5 receptions in the game for 70 yards. He had big grabs of 25, 20, and 17 yards.

HEATH MILLER (5 REC - 60 YDS)

Grade: B+ Early on Miller was the Steelers best player by a wide margin. Miller had 3 catches for 48 yards in the first quarter. Only 2 receptions for 12 yards in the final three quarters.