Steelers 14–17 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 6, 2003

Quick answer

Winner: Denver Broncos
Final score: Denver Broncos 17–14 Pittsburgh Steelers
Halftime: Pittsburgh Steelers 6–7 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: H. Ward
Top passer: T. Maddox
Biggest EPA play: (10:42) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 87-E.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at DEN 3…
Game date: 2003-10-12

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17–14 on 2003-10-12. H. Ward posted a game-high +10.38 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 18 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q4	—	—	T
Pittsburgh Steelers	3	3	8	0	0	14
Denver Broncos	0	7	10	0	0	17

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

PITPittsburgh Steelers

PIT 10

+1PIT 2

PIT 11

+1PIT 2

+3PIT 29

DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 9:03FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
DEN 5
Score
3-0
(9:03) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 12:15TD
SSS. Sharpe
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 10
Score
3-6
(12:15) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 12:09XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
3-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 6:18FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
DEN 8
Score
6-7
(6:18) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 9:27TD
Ryan Smith
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 11
Score
6-13
(9:27) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 80-R.Smith for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 9:22XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
6-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 2:45TD
JBJ. Bettis
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 1
Score
12-14
(2:45) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 2:41Safety
JBJ. Bettis
Points+2
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
14-14
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 36-J.Bettis rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #3 by DEN at 02:41.)
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 0:05FG
JEJ. Elam
Points+3
Yard line
PIT 29
Score
14-17
(:05) 1-J.Elam 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.38 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
2Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.92 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
3S. Sharpe · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.11 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
4P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
5Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
6D. Kreider · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
7H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
8E. McCaffrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

H. Ward — PIT · Receiving

H. Ward posted the highest total EPA (+10.38) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.30 EPA per play.

H. Ward's top snap (+3.31 EPA): (5:00) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward to DEN 15 for 15 yards (33-J.Spencer).

Biggest single play (-5.90 EPA): S. Beuerlein — (10:42) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 87-E.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at DEN 33. 30-C.Scott to DEN 9 for 24 yards (78-M.Lepsis).

Quarterback report card

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

T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 41 dropbacks · 46.3% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -3.00 total EPA
S. Beuerlein (Denver Broncos) · 32 dropbacks · 53.1% completion · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.65 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Pittsburgh Steelers	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	-0.077	-0.089
Offensive success rate	43.2%	44.3%
Pass EPA/play	-0.074	-0.078
Rush EPA/play	-0.216	-0.450
Defensive EPA/play	+0.089	+0.077
Defensive success rate	55.7%	56.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Pittsburgh Steelers -0.08, Denver Broncos -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.08 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
Denver Broncos: -0.09 EPA/play (32nd percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)

Denver Broncos: 12 drives, -6.20 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -6.79 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Denver Broncos — S. Sharpe (S. Beuerlein pass) (Q2 12:15)
Denver Broncos — Ryan Smith (S. Beuerlein pass) (Q4 9:27)
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q4 2:45)

Field goals

Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q1 9:03)
Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q2 6:18)
Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q4 0:05)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q1 9:03) — (9:03) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 10 (Q2 12:15) — (12:15) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 12:09) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 8 (Q2 6:18) — (6:18) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–8. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q4 9:27) — (9:27) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 80-R.Smith for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 9:22) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the DEN 2 (Q4 2:41); Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 29 (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 1-J.Elam 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Denver Broncos (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 1-J.Elam 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. [WPA +23.8% · EPA +1.12]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 11:30) — (11:30) 36-J.Bettis left end to DEN 47 for 2 yards (25-N.Ferguson). FUMBLES (25-N.Ferguson), RECOVERED by DEN-92-B.Berry at DEN 45. 92-B.Berry to DEN 48 for 3 yards. [WPA -22.1% · EPA -4.63]
Denver Broncos (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 87-E.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at DEN 33. 30-C.Scott to DEN 9 for 24 yards (78-M.Lepsis). [WPA -20.0% · EPA -5.90]
Denver Broncos (Q2 8:04) — (8:04) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Alexander at DEN 33. 27-B.Alexander to DEN 19 for 14 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -17.3% · EPA -4.98]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +1.25]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Denver Broncos (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 87-E.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at DEN 33. 30-C.Scott to DEN 9 for 24 yards (78-M.Lepsis). [WPA -20.0% · EPA -5.90]
Denver Broncos (Q2 8:04) — (8:04) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Alexander at DEN 33. 27-B.Alexander to DEN 19 for 14 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -17.3% · EPA -4.98]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 11:30) — (11:30) 36-J.Bettis left end to DEN 47 for 2 yards (25-N.Ferguson). FUMBLES (25-N.Ferguson), RECOVERED by DEN-92-B.Berry at DEN 45. 92-B.Berry to DEN 48 for 3 yards. [WPA -22.1% · EPA -4.63]
Denver Broncos (Q3 9:05) — (9:05) 26-C.Portis up the middle to PIT 24 for 6 yards (57-C.Kriewaldt). FUMBLES (57-C.Kriewaldt), RECOVERED by PIT-31-M.Logan at PIT 21. 31-M.Logan to PIT 25 for 4 yards (26-C.Portis). [WPA -13.9% · EPA -4.12]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 9:03 · DEN 5 · Score 3-0
(9:03) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 12:15 · PIT 10 · Score 3-6
(12:15) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 12:09 · PIT 2 · Score 3-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 6:18 · DEN 8 · Score 6-7
(6:18) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 9:27 · PIT 11 · Score 6-13
(9:27) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 80-R.Smith for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 9:22 · PIT 2 · Score 6-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:45 · DEN 1 · Score 12-14
(2:45) 36-J.Bettis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:41 · DEN 2 · Score 14-14
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 36-J.Bettis rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by DEN and Upheld. (Timeout #3 by DEN at 02:41.)
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:05 · PIT 29 · Score 14-17
(:05) 1-J.Elam 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.

Key takeaways

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

Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos on 2003-10-12?

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-14 in Week 6, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 8, Denver Broncos 10; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 14, Denver Broncos 17.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — S. Sharpe (S. Beuerlein pass) (Q2 12:15) Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (S. Beuerlein pass) (Q4 9:27) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q4 2:45) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q1 9:03, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q2 6:18, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 0:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos?

T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers), 46.3% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -3.00 total passing EPA. S. Beuerlein (Denver Broncos), 53.1% completion, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.65 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos?

H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.38 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.31 EPA): (5:00) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward to DEN 15 for 15 yards (33-J.Spencer)..

Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 2-3 Now 2-4 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 4-1 Now 5-1 W

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos: 2003 Week 6 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Quick answer

Game summary