Ben Roethlisberger suffered through another brutal Jaguars game for more than three quarters before a glorious dive toward the end zone turned an ugly defeat into a thrilling victory.
It didn’t matter that the overstuffed passer’s “dive” was really kind of a stretch and reach. What matters is the low hit of a Jacksonville defender allowed Big Ben to stay off the ground long enough for his hand to carry the ball over the plane of the goal line, giving another win to the rolling Steelers.
Denver kicker Brandon McManus didn’t provide quite the same drama as Roethlisberger, but his last-second field goal gave Broncos fans reason to celebrate just as hard as the Steelers’.
The Broncos took advantage of a pair of late mistakes from Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers to pull off a comeback victory after three-quarters of miserable football in Denver.
Quarterback Case Keenum had just 59 passing yards heading into the fourth quarter, and the Chargers had more than twice as many first downs as the Broncos. But Denver was able to hold it close enough that Rivers’ pick-six and a bad decision that saved 40 seconds for Denver’s last-minute field goal drive could give them a dramatic one-point win.
Injuries and notes
Rookie receiver DaeSean Hamilton injured the same knee he sprained earlier in the year and could miss this week’s contest.
Safety Dymonte Thomas (ankle) and cornerback Bradley Roby (concussion) join linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) on the questionable list for Sunday.
Pittsburgh tackles Matt Feiler (pectoral) and Marcus Gilbert (foot) are questionable, with Feiler leaning closer to doubtful than his teammate.
Defensive tackle Stephen Tuitt is also questionable with an elbow injury.
How well did Ben Roethlisberger feel after his late-game heroics? This is the first time in weeks he is not listed on the injury report.
Coaching matchup
Vance Joseph is under the gun in Denver despite last week’s dramatic win. Maybe a few more of them will help keep him on the Broncos’ payroll in 2019. A win is a win, and you can argue Denver’s defense caused Rivers’ meltdown, but this type of win won’t take much heat off Joseph.
Mike Tomlin continues to push all the right buttons in Pittsburgh, although this game was ugly for most of the day. But bouncing back from their1-2-1 start after so many preseason prognosticators questioned the Steelers’ ability to defend their AFC North crown has to be satisfying.
How to watch the Broncos-Steelers game
CBS will broadcast this Game of the Week offering across most of the country. That means practically anyone can watch the live stream action on DirecTV Now.
DirecTV Now is the internet TV division of the big satellite conglomerate. But unlike its big brother, DirecTV Now will never make you sign a contract or buy expensive special equipment.
In fact, DirecTV Now, like fellow internet TV providers Sling and Fubo TV, give you as much live stream NFL action as you can handle along with tons of other movie and TV channels for only a fraction of what satellite and cable companies charge you.
DirecTV Now, Sling TV, and Fubo can cover all your entertainment needs wherever your internet-connected device grabs a signal. You’re not limited to television. Watch all your favorite shows and channels on your computer, tablet, or smartphone for just one low monthly subscription rate.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. You can try any of them for free and see for yourself why internet TV is such a great deal.
Read More: NFL Week 14 Game Preview: Broncos at 49ers
Who will win the Broncos-Steelers game?
You could argue that the Steelers are due for a loss, or that the thin air at Mile High Stadium might affect them. You can even say the Broncos have some momentum coming into Week 12.
But in the end, the team with superior talent and coaching usually wins out.
