Broncos Fanzone: How the Broncos got to Super Bowl 50

Jan 31, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (R) greets quarterback Peyton Manning (C) and cornerback Aqib Talib (L) during team arrivals at the Mineta San Jose International Airport in preparation of Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (R) greets quarterback Peyton Manning (C) and cornerback Aqib Talib (L) during team arrivals at the Mineta San Jose International Airport in preparation of Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Broncos Brock Osweiler
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 15: at Pittsburgh Steelers

With the loss against Oakland behind them, the Broncos traveled to Pittsburgh for their final road game of the season against the Steelers. I had the honor of covering the game live for Predominantly Orange as I traveled with my best friend and his family members.

However, this game would not turn out the way I would hope. After taking a 27-13 lead into the locker rooms, it appears as if the team stayed there. The Steelers outscored the Broncos 21-0 in the second half and went on to win the game 34-27.

I have asked for Ian Henson’s help once again to give us a recap of the Steelers game.

Ian’s Recap:

Win and they’re in the playoffs and doing it without Peyton Manning was the task at hand for the Broncos when they traveled to Pittsburgh in week 15.”

For a time in the season it seemed the only touchdown that Brock Osweiler would throw would be on a broken coverage and he had one early in this game, with 3:12 left in the first Osweiler hit Emmanuel Sanders for a wide-open 61-yard touchdown that saw Sanders outrunning the entire Steelers defense to the endzone.”

At that point Denver had gone 24 series without a touchdown and that score have them two scores on back-to-back drives. Newly signed safety Josh Bush would replace an (at the time) broken-legged David Bruton and Bush would finish the game with five tackle, a pass defense and an interception on 8 plays. Denver took a 27-13 lead into halftime, but would lose the game 27-34.”

Good recap Ian. Lots of positives, but the second half proved to be a gut-wrenching experience for the Broncos and would lead to their fourth loss of the season. For me, I think it was the first time that doubt was surrounding the team. They needed to get out of this funk if they were to have any chance of making the playoffs.

Next: Week 16 with Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann