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Published on 08/29/2010 at Sun Aug 29 21:40.
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Defense dominates as Broncos rock Steelers 34-17

Posted Sun Aug 29th by

Cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception of a pass by quarterback Dennis Dixon of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the endzone during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception of a pass by quarterback Dennis Dixon of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the endzone during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It was a night of sacks and pick-sixes for the Denver Broncos defense, who took full advantage of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ sketchy quarterback situation to score two defensive touchdowns and defeat the Steelers 34-17 in preseason action.

More impressive was the fact that they accomplished such with the likes of Elvis Dumervil, Champ Bailey, and Brian Dawkins sitting this one out.

Against the Steelers’ starters, who only played QB Ben Roethlisberger for one series, Denver outgunned and outrunned Pittsburgh in the first half to a 17-3 lead. QB Dennis Dixon was intercepted twice — dramatically — once by rookie Perrish Cox in the end zone and once by veteran Andre Goodman who returned it 77 yards for a touchdown.

Dixon’s backups didn’t fare much better. Byron Leftwich went 0 for 4 as the 3rd QB and Charlie Batch had an interception returned for a touchdown by rookie Syd’Quan Thompson. With Roethlisberger set to miss four games with a suspension, the Steelers didn’t answer any quarterback questions tonight, and may have garnered some new ones.

In contrast, the Broncos’ quarterbacks looked solid if inconsistent, with a bit of controversy of their own thrown in. Kyle Orton took a big hit on a diving tackle but would return; Brady Quinn took his place briefly in the first half, but it was Tim Tebow who would see the next set of snaps in the third quarter as the presumable #2 QB. Quinn saw action again late in the 4th quarter.

Orton looked magnificent again, although both he and Tebow threw forehead-slap-inducing interceptions, while Quinn looked unsettled and Tebow inconsistent. He did connect on several impressive strikes to WR Matthew Willis, who led all receivers in the game with 55 yards.

Finally, the Broncos’ special-teamers deserve high praise for giving a decisive edge in the field position battle. The coverage units repeatedly pinned Steelers deep in their territory, and the return game was electric, led by Syd’Quan Thompson, who finished the game with a thrilling, tackle-evading 62-yard jaunt on the game’s final punt.

A number of players saved their roster lives tonight (Thompson, Willis), which is more than can be said for others (Quinn, LenDale White). We’ll be breaking down all aspects of this game this week as the Broncos prepare to whittle their numbers to the 53.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    I'm not sure Thompson has even been in danger of not making this squad, he has been solid all pre-season on special teams. He really shined tonight however. I've been most impressed with his ability to be the first defender down the field making tackles on punts and kickoffs.

    How good is Parrish Cox? He's almost making it difficult for the coaches to keep him out of the starting lineup come the regular season.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    How many yards is __-yards? Lol, just kidding, he [Thompson] was Great! Great read Kyle, you have a writing gift (or maybe reading anything positive about the Broncos has that effect on me? Probably a little of both :P

  • Enriquez Aldo

    thats what am taking about

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Haha dammit… I'm usually so good at going back and filling in the blanks. Tricks of the trade being revealed…

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Was good to see the defense playing like that.

  • Rcsodak

    Quinn/White, though neither shined, will still make the roster.
    Syd will also, as I doubt he'd make the PS without getting picked up. He was projected as a high draft pick until his final season. He showed why. Willis should make the team, if not the PS. I liked the energy shown by the backups, especially the lb's. They were getting after leftwich. And though I hate to say it, Quinn is probably still the #2. I'm sure he played last only because Tebow didn't get any snaps last week.

  • mikebirty

    first couple of drives the D really sucked. I could hear MJD getting excited for the regular season opener but the difference in last three quarters was good to see.

    Nobody passes on the Denver Broncos.

  • Kechterd

    When KO went down I was hoping to see Tebow come in but as soon as I saw Quinn run on the field all I kept thinking about was seeing Chris Sims running out there, not a good feeling… I think Willis makes the cut along with Syd, but pushing out as much as I hate to say it Stoke. I'm starting to think Alphonso is a lost cause and personally would rather take Jones and Syd over him. Question is can you cut a secound round corner you paid a first round price for……

  • http://twitter.com/amcfarla Aaron McFarland

    You can't forget our new stud punter Britton Colquitt, averaged more than 50 yards average and net yesterday.

  • herc_rock

    Seriously. One of his kicks yesterday was net 64. Net.

    Love this kid.

  • herc_rock

    A lot of the defensive prowess was due to the fact that Dennis Dixon is frickin' terrible.

    Also, Lendale White runs through the line like a little girl.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    After I destroyed him in the game summery last week I have to give Alphonso a little credit for this game. He made a nice play to get into the backfield and take out the leg of the running back allowing the linebackers to come in and clean up. But a single play does not make up for horrible decisions thus far.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    I'd be shocked if White makes this roster. He was outperformed by Lance Ball in every form except for Ball's dropped pass.

    IIRC offhand, Ball had a 7.5 ypc, White had less than 3. And White's suspended the first four games.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Absolutely, kid's going to be a weapon for us this year.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Around it too. White was awful yesterday. His blitz pickup was pathetic, too.

  • Paradisimo

    I thought Alphonso looked awful again. Yes he got into the backfield on that play (and one other I think) but then completely whiffed on the tackle. Granted it pushed the play outside and our linebackers were fast enough to catch up but a missed tackle is a missed tackle and more often than not a missed opportunity like that turns into a positive gain. Even if we cut him Cox and Syd will make us forget he was ever a Bronco a few games into the season.

  • flbronc

    i'm pretty sure one is still up in the air. they gave the coverage team a TON of time to get down field.

  • Gary_in_SD

    Great defensive effort last night, but I would sure like to see the offense step it up and be a little sharper. The defense is quick and aggressive, but that’s how they were last season too and that won’t last if the offense can’t keep them off of the field enough of the time. They’ll hit the mid-season mark and be running on empty once again.

  • baw

    White absolutely makes the roster. It was his first game with the team, and he showed that he still has the ability to bull it into the endzone in a goal-line situation. We couldn't buy that last year.

  • areferee

    “Outgunned and outrunned”… :-) I love it!

    Every year, someone seems to distinguish themselves on special teams and solidify a roster spot for themselves. Syd'Quan the “Sly'Quick” Thompson seems to have done so this year.

    Don't know what kind of a CB he might be, but he may be the star of Special Teams this year, if given the chance.

    Kyle, how did he look at CB during camp? How did you have him rated overall before last night? Would be interested in further input from you and other readers.

    Anyway, gotta love the hair. It's like we have our own Troy Polamalu.

  • MeOMy

    You have to remember most of Ball's runs came against the Steelers second stringers. He was only 4 for 13 yards against starters. 10 of which came on a single run.

  • Fan From Spain

    yep, Syd'Quan is a must have on the starting roster, I want to see him against Jacksonville!

    that hair looks great with a Denver helmet :)

  • anthony33

    Hearing and seeing many comments about Tebow today. He has to be one of the most scrutinized rookie qb's in history and seems like most people either hate him or love the guy, not much in between.

    To me… good person… humongous heart, character, desire and leadership skills. As far as a QB… he playing like most rookie first round QB's would play, some good and some bad. The differenence IMO is you get the feeling that this guy will definitely do whatever it takes to improve and get better.

    For those who say we wasted a first round pick on him (Aikman) I say give the guy a few more snaps than 20 eh.

  • anthony33

    Syd'Quan… finally!!!!

  • anthony33

    Thinking the biggest improvement in this team is going to be special teams.

  • the bus

    bronco fans are complete idiots – this team will not win 6 games all season. defense is awful and will give up points and yards all year to both run and pass. two lucky pick sixes are not going to happen every game especially when an nfl starter is playing. relax and get ready for a very long year!!

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Too bad you're stuck with that guy that threw not one, but two interceptions to Denver (in as many quarters) for 4-6 games this season.

    Best of luck to you, even if you wish the Broncos the opposite.

  • the bus

    bronco fans are complete idiots – this team will not win 6 games all season. defense is awful and will give up points and yards all year to both run and pass. two lucky pick sixes are not going to happen every game especially when an nfl starter is playing. relax and get ready for a very long year!!

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Too bad you're stuck with that guy that threw not one, but two interceptions to Denver (in as many quarters) for 4-6 games this season.

    Best of luck to you, even if you wish the Broncos the opposite.