STEELERS at BRONCOS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009 KICKOFF 8:30 P.M. INVESCO FIELD
POST-GAME NOTES
Pittsburgh Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh won its fifth straight game on the season and improved to 6-2.
• The Steelers improved to 7-13-1 all-time against the Broncos in the regular season, including a 3-7-1 mark in Denver. The victory snapped a four-game regular-season losing streak in Denver and marked the first regular-season win at Denver since 1990 (34-17 victory on Oct. 14, 1990).
• Pittsburgh improved to 38-22 all-time on Monday Night Football and won their fifth straight game on Monday night. The 38 wins rank second in the AFC behind Miami and third (tied) in the NFL with San Francisco. The Steelers are now 15-17 all-time on the road on Monday Night Football.
• The Steelers improved to 12-1 in primetime regular-season games under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin improved to 5-0 all-time on Monday Night Football.
• The Steelers have won six of their past eight games following a bye week.
• Pittsburgh has won eight of its last 10 road games.
• The Steelers have won 13 of their past 16 games against AFC opponents, including a 4-1 mark this year.
• Denver grabbed an early 3-0 lead as K Matt Prater booted a 40-yard field goal on the Broncos' first drive of the game.
• Pittsburgh took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter as S Tyrone Carterreturned a QB Kyle Orton interception 48 yards for a touchdown. It was the Steelers' second straight game with an interception return for a touchdown and it was Carter's second career interception return for a score (Dec. 28, 2008 vs. Cleveland - 32 yards). It also marked the third straight score for the Steelers on the defensive side of the ball (two returns for touchdowns in Week 7 vs. Minnesota).
• Denver regained the lead early in the third quarter as DE Kenny Peterson forced a fumble by QB Ben Roethlisbergerand LB Robert Ayers picked it up and scrambled 54 yards for a touchdown to make it 10-7 with 11:16 remaining in the quarter.
• The Steelers quickly responded with a four-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to WR Hines Ward.
• After S Troy Polamaluintercepted his third pass of the season, the Steelers scored three plays later as Roethlisberger his WR Mike Wallacefor a 25-yard touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 21-10 advantage. It was Wallace's third career receiving touchdown.
• Pittsburgh capped the scoring with a three-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Ward with just 1:22 remaining in the game. It was Ward's 16th career multi-touchdown game and it was Roethlisberger's 12th career game with at least three touchdowns.
• The Steelers outgained the Broncos 375-242, including 173-27 on the ground. In the second half, the Steelers had 321 yards of offense while limiting Denver to just 59 yards.
• Pittsburgh had 21 first downs to the Broncos' 12. In the second half, the Steelers had 18 first downs and held Denver to only three.
• The Steelers converted 58 percent (7 of 12) of their first downs, including 77 percent (7-of-9) in the second half.
• Pittsburgh held the ball for 33:03 to the Broncos' 26:57.
• The Steelers picked off a season-high three passes, including two by Carter and one by Polamalu.
• Pittsburgh posted two sacks, both by DE Brett Keisel.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), S Ryan Clark, OG Kraig Urbik, OT Tony Hills, DE Sunny Harris, WR Shaun McDonald, DE Travis Kirschkeand LB Lawrence Timmonswere inactive for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Individual Notes:
Head Coach Mike Tomlin
• Improved to 12-1 all-time in primetime games and a perfect 5-0 on Monday Night Football.
• Won his 12th straight primetime game.
*
*QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 21-of-29 for 233 yards passing with three touchdowns and one interception (116.0 passer rating).
• Marked his 32nd career 100-plus passer rating game, moving him into sole possession of first place on the team's all-time list ahead of Terry Bradshaw (31).
• Marked his 12th career game with at least three touchdown passes.
• Tossed a three-yard touchdown pass to WR Hines Ward in the third quarter and another three-yarder to Ward with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
• Hit WR Mike Wallace for a 25-yard touchdown with 7:03 left in the fourth quarter.
• Improved to 57-22 as a starter in his sixth season.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Made his fifth straight start (sixth career).
• Finished with 155 yards rushing on 22 carries (7.0 avg.). It marked his second career 100-yard rushing game and the first against the Denver defense this year.
• Had a 24-yard run and a 28-yard run, both in the third quarter.
• Added a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter.
WR Hines Ward
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 170 consecutive games.
• Finished with seven catches for 44 yards (6.3 avg.) with two touchdowns, his 16th career multi-touchdown game.
• Had a three-yard touchdown reception with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter and added a three-yarder with less than two minutes remaining in the game, giving him four receiving touchdowns on the year and 76 for his career.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Finished with six catches for 93 yards (15.5 avg.).
• Hauled in a 35-yard reception from Roethlisberger in the third quarter, setting up a touchdown on the next play.
WR Mike Wallace
• Finished with four catches for 69 yards (17.3 avg.) with one touchdown.
• Hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger with 7:03 remaining in the game to give Pittsburgh a 21-10 lead. It was his third receiving touchdown game of the year.
DE Brett Keisel
• Posted a four-yard sack in the second quarter.
• Added a two-yard sack later in the quarter, giving him three on the season and 14.5 for his career.
• Marked his second career multi-sack game in the regular season (Dec. 24, 2005 at Cleveland - two sacks).
LB James Harrison
• Finished with seven tackles (six solo).
LB Keyaron Fox
• Made his third start of the season in place of the injured LB Lawrence Timmons.
• Finished with a team-high (tied) seven tackles (six solo), including one tackle for loss.
S Troy Polamalu
• Finished with three tackles, one interception and two passes defensed.
• Had his team-best third interception (20th of his career) of the season midway through the fourth quarter.
S Tyrone Carter
• Made his fifth start of the year in place of the inactive S Ryan Clark.
• Posted two interceptions and finished with two tackles, giving him nine career interceptions (six with Pittsburgh).
• Marked his second career multi-interception game (Dec. 28, 2008 vs. Cleveland).
• Returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter, marking his second career interception return for a score (Dec. 28, 2008 vs. Cleveland - 32 yards).
P Daniel Sepulveda
• Averaged 44.2 yards per punt on five punts while downing three inside the 20-yard line.
• Booted a 55-yard punt following the Steelers' first drive of the game.
