Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos: 2005 Divisional Recap

Game story

In the Divisional of the 2005 NFL season on 2006-01-22, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 34–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -12.97 total EPA.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +26.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (2:55) 16-J.Plummer sacked at DEN 34 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-98-C.Hampton at DEN 39. 98-C.Hampton to DEN 39 for no gain (50-B.Hamilton).

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 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +26.10 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +9.90 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Wilson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +9.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.25 EPA/play
5. 5 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Bell · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +4.45 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.14 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Putzier · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.88 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 — C. Wilson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q2 32:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:15)
• Denver Broncos — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass) (Q3 18:43)
• Denver Broncos — M. Anderson (Q4 7:58)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q4 3:05)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q1 49:15)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 39:27)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 13:43)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 29 (Q1 49:15) — (4:15) 3-J.Reed 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 21–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 12 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-C.Wilson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 44:54) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 5 (Q2 39:27) — (9:27) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 31:55) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 17 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 30:07).

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 30 (Q3 18:43) — (3:43) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 18:36) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 24 (Q4 13:43) — (13:43) 3-J.Reed 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q4 7:58) — (7:58) 38-M.Anderson left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 7:52) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 3:05) — (3:05) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 2:59) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q1 47:55) — (2:55) 16-J.Plummer sacked at DEN 34 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-98-C.Hampton at DEN 39. 98-C.Hampton to DEN 39 for no gain (50-B.Hamilton). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -4.81]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 85-N.Washington pushed ob at DEN 33 for 13 yards (22-D.Foxworth). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.25]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 39:18) — (9:18) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-C.Wilson to PIT 37 for 17 yards (22-D.Foxworth). [WPA +8.6% · EPA +1.54]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-C.Wilson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.4% · EPA +3.37]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 37:04) — (7:04) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward to DEN 24 for 21 yards (56-A.Wilson). [WPA +6.2% · EPA +2.43]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q1 47:55) — (2:55) 16-J.Plummer sacked at DEN 34 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-98-C.Hampton at DEN 39. 98-C.Hampton to DEN 39 for no gain (50-B.Hamilton). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -4.81]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 13:29) — (13:29) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 50-L.Foote at PIT 28. 50-L.Foote to PIT 42 for 14 yards (66-T.Nalen). [WPA -2.5% · EPA -4.31]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 30:15) — (:15) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.3% · EPA +4.28]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 9:43) — (9:43) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie pushed ob at PIT 31 for 38 yards (24-I.Taylor). [WPA +1.5% · EPA +3.43]

Quarterback report card

J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 42 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -0.31 EPA/play · -12.97 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 34 dropbacks · 61.8% completion · +0.77 EPA/play · +26.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -1.32 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +18.85 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.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

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

1. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 49:15 · DEN 29 · Score 3-0
   (4:15) 3-J.Reed 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DEN 12 · Score 9-0
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-C.Wilson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · DEN 2 · Score 10-0
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 39:27 · PIT 5 · Score 10-3
   (9:27) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · DEN 3 · Score 16-3
   (2:00) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · DEN 2 · Score 17-3
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:15 · DEN 17 · Score 23-3
   (:15) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:07 · DEN 2 · Score 24-3
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. PENALTY on DEN-93-T.Pryce, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 18:43 · PIT 30 · Score 24-9
   (3:43) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 18:36 · PIT 2 · Score 24-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 13:43 · DEN 24 · Score 27-10
    (13:43) 3-J.Reed 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 7:58 · PIT 3 · Score 27-16
    (7:58) 38-M.Anderson left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 7:52 · PIT 2 · Score 27-17
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:05 · DEN 4 · Score 33-17
    (3:05) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:59 · DEN 2 · Score 34-17
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.