Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2015 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-20, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +4.39 total EPA, and +9.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.40 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (12:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-M.Wheaton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +12.40 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
2. 2 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.91 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.39 total EPA · 62 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.16 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.11 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Osweiler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +3.30 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Norwood · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.71 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Williams (Q1 55:21)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (B. Osweiler pass) (Q1 49:45)
• Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (B. Osweiler pass) (Q1 48:16)
• Denver Broncos — B. Osweiler (Q2 41:36)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (B. Osweiler pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 22:20)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wheaton (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 12:39)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:29)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q2 37:36)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q2 30:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) 34-D.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 55:16) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 18 (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 49:41) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 61 (Q1 48:16) — (3:16) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 10-E.Sanders for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 48:08) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 13–6. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q2 41:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler scrambles right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 6 (Q2 37:36); Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 6 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 17-B.Osweiler pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 31:56) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q2 30:08) — (:08) 9-C.Boswell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q3 22:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 22:16) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q4 12:39) — (12:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-M.Wheaton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 12:34) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 23 (Q4 3:29) — (3:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 84-A.Brown for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 3:24) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:39) — (12:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-M.Wheaton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +2.28]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:08) — (2:08) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 34-D.Williams INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Marshall at PIT 41. 54-B.Marshall to PIT 41 for no gain (34-D.Williams). The Replay Official reviewed the runne [WPA -15.9% · EPA -3.77]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:29) — (3:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 84-A.Brown for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +2.83]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 48:16) — (3:16) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 10-E.Sanders for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +5.43]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 4:28) — (4:28) 17-B.Osweiler pass short middle intended for 10-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Shazier [48-B.Dupree] at DEN 37. 50-R.Shazier to DEN 37 for no gain (10-E.Sanders). [WPA -13.0% · EPA -4.00]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Denver Broncos (Q1 48:16) — (3:16) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 10-E.Sanders for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +5.43]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle intended for 11-M.Wheaton INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Bush at DEN 37. 20-J.Bush to 50 for 13 yards (11-M.Wheaton). [WPA -10.9% · EPA -4.84]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 4:28) — (4:28) 17-B.Osweiler pass short middle intended for 10-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Shazier [48-B.Dupree] at DEN 37. 50-R.Shazier to DEN 37 for no gain (10-E.Sanders). [WPA -13.0% · EPA -4.00]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:08) — (2:08) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 34-D.Williams INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Marshall at PIT 41. 54-B.Marshall to PIT 41 for no gain (34-D.Williams). The Replay Official reviewed the runne [WPA -15.9% · EPA -3.77]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 62 dropbacks · 64.5% completion · +9.1% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +4.39 total EPA
• B.Osweiler (Denver Broncos) · 52 dropbacks · 40.4% completion · -10.1% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +3.30 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Denver Broncos: 15 drives, -6.12 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 drives, -0.79 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Osweiler (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 55:21 · DEN 2 · Score 0-6
   (10:21) 34-D.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 55:16 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
   9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 49:45 · PIT 18 · Score 6-7
   (4:45) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 49:41 · PIT 15 · Score 7-7
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 48:16 · PIT 61 · Score 13-7
   (3:16) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 10-E.Sanders for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 48:08 · PIT 15 · Score 14-7
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
7. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 41:36 · PIT 7 · Score 20-7
   (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler scrambles right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 37:36 · DEN 6 · Score 20-10
   (7:36) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. Penalty on DEN-90-A.Smith, Unnecessary Roughness, of
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · PIT 6 · Score 26-10
   (2:00) 17-B.Osweiler pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · PIT 15 · Score 27-10
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:08 · DEN 23 · Score 27-13
    (:08) 9-C.Boswell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 22:20 · DEN 9 · Score 27-19
    (7:20) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 22:16 · DEN 15 · Score 27-20
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 12:39 · DEN 9 · Score 27-26
    (12:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-M.Wheaton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 12:34 · DEN 15 · Score 27-27
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:29 · DEN 23 · Score 27-33
    (3:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 84-A.Brown for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:24 · DEN 15 · Score 27-34
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.