Seven Sacks Lift Steelers over Broncos, 26-21

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers knocked Denver quarterback Drew Lock out of the game early, but the rest of the Broncos took a while longer to beat as Pittsburgh let the Broncos hang around all afternoon at Heinz Field before finally putting away the visitors for a 26-21 victory.

Terrell Edmunds sacked Denver backup Jeff Driskel on a fourth down just after the 2-minute warning to seal the Pittsburgh win, in what was something of a theme for the Steelers defense in the game.

Bud Dupree drove Lock from the game on the second Denver possession of the game with a vicious hit that resulted in a fumble recovered by Mike Hilton and with the Broncos starter still in the medical tent, James Conner plunged in to give the Steelers the lead.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Chase Claypool for an 84-yard bomb down the left side in the second quarter and the game looked like it would become a rout.

But Broncos backup Jeff Driskel found space to work through the Steelers’ frightening pass rush and lead the Broncos back.

After the Steelers turned the ball over on downs at the Denver 35, Driskell found tight end Noah Fant for a 20-yard score to bring the Broncos to within a field goal at 17-14.

Roethlisberger responded with a 28-yard scoring strike to Diontae Johnson, but then a Benny Snell fumble gave Denver more life and Driskell answered back with a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back Melvin Gordon. The Broncos were driving once more when Edmunds’ fourth-down stop sealed the Pittsburgh victory.

Driskell finished 18 of 34 for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, despite the Steelers defense finishing the afternoon with seven sacks. He nearly battled his opposition to a statistical stalemate. Roethlisberger went 29 of 41 for 311 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The Steelers (2-0) will stay at home to host Houston next Sunday.