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NFL · Week 18 · January 8, 2012 · 12 min read

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos: 2011 Week 18 Recap

Broncos defeat Steelers 29–23 in Week 18

T.Tebow led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 23–29 Week 18 finish.

Pittsburgh Steelers 23 12–5
Final 23–29
Denver Broncos 29 9–8 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
23–29
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 6–20 Denver Broncos
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
FantasyHQ MVP
T.Tebow
Game date
January 8, 2012

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • I.Redman 17 CAR · 121 YDS · 1 TD +6.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Eli Sanders 6 REC · 81 YDS +5.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Anthony Brown
    Anthony Brown 5 REC · 70 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • T.Tebow 10/27 · 327 YDS · 2 TD +21.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Drake Thomas
    Drake Thomas 4 REC · 204 YDS · 1 TD +14.9 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Fells 2 REC · 57 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact
View Steelers vs Broncos box score View all 2011 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 29–23 Pittsburgh Steelers
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 6–20 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
T. Tebow
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
Biggest EPA play
(15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2012-01-08

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29–23 on 2012-01-08. T. Tebow posted a game-high +21.29 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4OTT
Pittsburgh Steelers60710023
Denver Broncos02003629

Scoring Map

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

PITPittsburgh Steelers
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 11:19FG
    SSS. Suisham

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 27
    Score
    3-0

    (11:19) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.

  2. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 0:27FG
    SSS. Suisham

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 20
    Score
    6-0

    (:27) 6-S.Suisham 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.

  3. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 13:31TD
    ERE. Royal

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 30
    Score
    6-6

    (13:31) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep right to 19-E.Royal for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-99-B.Keisel was injured during the play.

  4. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 13:24XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    6-7

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 10:41TD
    TTT. Tebow

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 8
    Score
    6-13

    (10:41) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 10:36XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    6-14

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  7. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 7:33FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    6-17

    (7:33) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  8. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 1:08FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 10
    Score
    6-20

    (1:08) 5-M.Prater 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  9. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 4:33TD
    MWM. Wallace

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 1
    Score
    12-20

    (4:33) 17-M.Wallace right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 4:29XP
    SSS. Suisham

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    13-20

    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 13:14FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 17
    Score
    13-23

    (13:14) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  12. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 10:03FG
    SSS. Suisham

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 19
    Score
    16-23

    (10:03) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.

  13. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 3:56TD
    JCJ. Cotchery

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 31
    Score
    22-23

    (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 3:48XP
    SSS. Suisham

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    23-23

    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.

  15. DENDenver Broncos
    OT 15:00TD
    Drake Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 80
    Score
    23-29

    (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1T. Tebow · Denver Broncos · Passing · +21.29 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
  2. 2Drake ThomasDrake Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +14.95 total EPA · 7 snaps · +2.14 EPA/play
  3. 3I. Redman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +6.86 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
  4. 4Eli Sanders · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.27 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
  5. 5D. Fells · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.05 EPA/play
  6. 6T. Tebow · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +2.76 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
  7. 7Anthony BrownAnthony Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
  8. 8J. Cotchery · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.07 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

T. Tebow — DEN · Passing

T. Tebow posted the highest total EPA (+21.29) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Denver Broncos. Across 27 counted snaps, they averaged +0.79 EPA per play.

T. Tebow's top snap (+6.29 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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) · 48 dropbacks · 45.8% completion · -4.6% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +1.08 total EPA
  • T. Tebow (Denver Broncos) · 27 dropbacks · 37.0% completion · -2.7% CPOE · +0.79 EPA/play · +21.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPittsburgh SteelersDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.107+0.170
Offensive success rate46.1%35.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.023+0.788
Rush EPA/play+0.295-0.278
Defensive EPA/play-0.170-0.107
Defensive success rate64.1%53.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs +0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.11 EPA/play (78th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.17 EPA/play (89th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +13.27 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +9.50 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Denver Broncos — E. Royal (T. Tebow pass) (Q2 13:31)
  • Denver Broncos — T. Tebow (Q2 10:41)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (Q3 4:33)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Cotchery (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:56)
  • Drake ThomasDenver Broncos — Drake Thomas (T. Tebow pass) (OT 15:00)

Field goals

  • Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q1 11:19)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q1 0:27)
  • Matt PraterDenver Broncos — Matt Prater (Q2 7:33)
  • Matt PraterDenver Broncos — Matt Prater (Q2 1:08)
  • Matt PraterDenver Broncos — Matt Prater (Q4 13:14)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q4 10:03)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 27 (Q1 11:19) — (11:19) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 20 (Q1 0:27) — (:27) 6-S.Suisham 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 20–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 30 (Q2 13:31) — (13:31) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep right to 19-E.Royal for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-99-B.Keisel was injured during the play.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 13:24) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 8 (Q2 10:41) — (10:41) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 10:36) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q2 7:33) — (7:33) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q2 1:08) — (1:08) 5-M.Prater 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q3 4:33) — (4:33) 17-M.Wallace right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 4:29) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q4 13:14) — (13:14) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 19 (Q4 10:03) — (10:03) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 31 (Q4 3:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 3:48) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..

Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 6–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 80 (OT 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Denver Broncos (OT 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +47.3% · EPA +6.29]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.7% · EPA +3.99]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 14:56) — (14:56) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas to PIT 31 for 51 yards (24-I.Taylor). [WPA +14.7% · EPA +4.80]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 23-W.McGahee right tackle to PIT 44 for 8 yards (29-R.Mundy). FUMBLES (29-R.Mundy), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at PIT 44. 56-L.Woodley to PIT 44 for no gain (81-D.Rosario). Denver [WPA -10.8% · EPA -4.50]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 13:31) — (13:31) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep right to 19-E.Royal for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-99-B.Keisel was injured during the play. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +3.55]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Denver Broncos (OT 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +47.3% · EPA +6.29]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 14:56) — (14:56) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas to PIT 31 for 51 yards (24-I.Taylor). [WPA +14.7% · EPA +4.80]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 23-W.McGahee right tackle to PIT 44 for 8 yards (29-R.Mundy). FUMBLES (29-R.Mundy), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at PIT 44. 56-L.Woodley to PIT 44 for no gain (81-D.Rosario). Denver [WPA -10.8% · EPA -4.50]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:56) — (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.7% · EPA +3.99]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 11:19 · DEN 27 · Score 3-0
    (11:19) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 0:27 · DEN 20 · Score 6-0
    (:27) 6-S.Suisham 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
  3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 13:31 · PIT 30 · Score 6-6
    (13:31) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep right to 19-E.Royal for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-99-B.Keisel was injured during the play.
  4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 13:24 · PIT 2 · Score 6-7
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 10:41 · PIT 8 · Score 6-13
    (10:41) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 10:36 · PIT 2 · Score 6-14
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  7. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 7:33 · PIT 2 · Score 6-17
    (7:33) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 1:08 · PIT 10 · Score 6-20
    (1:08) 5-M.Prater 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 4:33 · DEN 1 · Score 12-20
    (4:33) 17-M.Wallace right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 4:29 · DEN 2 · Score 13-20
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
  11. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 13:14 · PIT 17 · Score 13-23
    (13:14) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  12. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 10:03 · DEN 19 · Score 16-23
    (10:03) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:56 · DEN 31 · Score 22-23
    (3:56) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:48 · DEN 2 · Score 23-23
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
  15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — OT 15:00 · PIT 80 · Score 23-29
    (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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.
  • T. Tebow (Denver Broncos) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos on 2012-01-08?

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in Week 18, 2011.

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

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Denver Broncos 20; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Denver Broncos 3; Q5: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Denver Broncos 6; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Denver Broncos 29.

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

Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Royal (T. Tebow pass) (Q2 13:31) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Tebow (Q2 10:41) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — M. Wallace (Q3 4:33) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Cotchery (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:56) Denver Broncos touchdown — D. Thomas (T. Tebow pass) (OT 15:00) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q1 11:19, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q1 0:27, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 7:33, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 1:08, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q4 13:14, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q4 10:03, 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?

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 45.8% completion, -4.6% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +1.08 total passing EPA. T. Tebow (Denver Broncos), 37.0% completion, -2.7% CPOE, +0.79 EPA per dropback, +21.29 total passing EPA.

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

T. Tebow (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +21.29 total EPA on Passing plays. across 27 snaps. Their top snap (+6.29 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep middle to 88-D.Thomas for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Denver Broncos won 29-23 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 12-4 Now 12-5 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 8-8 Now 9-8 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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