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NFL · Wild Card · January 17, 2016 · 12 min read

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos: 2015 Wild Card Recap

Broncos defeat Steelers 23–16 in Wild Card

D.Heyward-Bey led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 16–23 Wild Card finish.

Pittsburgh Steelers 16 11–7
Final 16–23
Denver Broncos 23 13–4 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
16–23
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 10–9 Denver Broncos
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
FantasyHQ MVP
D.Heyward-Bey
Game date
January 17, 2016

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • D.Heyward-Bey 2 REC · 64 YDS +5.0 Fantasy Impact
  • S.Coates 2 REC · 61 YDS +4.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Myles Bryant
    Myles Bryant 9 REC · 154 YDS +4.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • B.Fowler 2 REC · 35 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact
  • V.Green 2 REC · 14 YDS +0.8 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Latimer 2 REC · 18 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact
View Steelers vs Broncos box score View all 2015 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 23–16 Pittsburgh Steelers
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 10–9 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
D. Heyward-Bey
Top passer
B. Roethlisberger
Biggest EPA play
(10:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 33-F.Toussaint left tackle to DEN 31 for 3 yards (29-B.Roby).…
Game date
2016-01-17

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 23–16 on 2016-01-17, overcoming Pittsburgh Steelers's 10–9 halftime lead. D. Heyward-Bey posted a game-high +5.03 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Pittsburgh Steelers7333016
Denver Broncos63314023

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

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 11:25FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 10
    Score
    0-3

    (11:25) 8-B.McManus 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  2. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 3:45FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 23
    Score
    0-6

    (3:45) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  3. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 1:26TD
    FTF. Toussaint

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 1
    Score
    6-6

    (1:26) 33-F.Toussaint right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 1:22XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    7-6

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  5. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 10:24FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 25
    Score
    10-6

    (10:24) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 0:05FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 33
    Score
    10-9

    (:05) 8-B.McManus 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  7. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 9:36FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 10
    Score
    13-9

    (9:36) 9-C.Boswell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  8. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 2:50FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 23
    Score
    13-12

    (2:50) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  9. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 3:04TD
    Calvin Anderson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 1
    Score
    13-18

    (3:04) (No Huddle) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 3:00Safety
    PMPaul Manning

    Points+2

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    13-20

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 18-P.Manning pass to 88-D.Thomas is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 0:57FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 27
    Score
    13-23

    (:57) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 0:53FG
    BRB. Roethlisberger

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 80
    Score
    13-23

    (:53) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 11-M.Wheaton (25-C.Harris). PENALTY on DEN-25-C.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at PIT 20 - No Play.

  13. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 0:24FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 29
    Score
    16-23

    (:24) 9-C.Boswell 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1D. Heyward-Bey · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.51 EPA/play
  2. 2S. Coates · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.54 EPA/play
  3. 3Myles BryantMyles Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.28 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  4. 4B. Fowler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
  5. 5Myles BryantMyles Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +1.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
  6. 6Jordan JamesJordan James · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
  7. 7V. Green · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +0.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
  8. 8C. Latimer · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +0.67 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.33 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

D. Heyward-Bey — PIT · Receiving

D. Heyward-Bey posted the highest total EPA (+5.03) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +2.51 EPA per play.

D. Heyward-Bey's top snap (+4.83 EPA): (12:52) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to DEN 22 for 58 yards (29-B.Roby).

Biggest single play (-5.15 EPA): F. Toussaint — (10:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 33-F.Toussaint left tackle to DEN 31 for 3 yards (29-B.Roby). FUMBLES (29-B.Roby), RECOVERED by DEN-94-D.Ware at DEN 35. 94-D.Ware to DEN 35 for no gain (72-C.Wallace).

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) · 42 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -0.5% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.31 total EPA
  • Paul Manning (Denver Broncos) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -8.2% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.76 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPittsburgh SteelersDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play-0.128-0.057
Offensive success rate37.0%38.5%
Pass EPA/play+0.007-0.094
Rush EPA/play-0.357-0.181
Defensive EPA/play+0.057+0.128
Defensive success rate61.5%63.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.13 EPA/play (22nd percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: -0.06 EPA/play (39th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 14 drives, -5.15 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, -10.39 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Pittsburgh Steelers — F. Toussaint (Q1 1:26)
  • Calvin AndersonDenver Broncos — Calvin Anderson (Q4 3:04)

Field goals

  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q1 11:25)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q1 3:45)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q2 10:24)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q2 0:05)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q3 9:36)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q3 2:50)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q4 0:57)
  • Denver Broncos — B. Roethlisberger (Q4 0:53)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q4 0:24)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–6. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q1 11:25) — (11:25) 8-B.McManus 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 23 (Q1 3:45) — (3:45) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q1 1:26) — (1:26) 33-F.Toussaint right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 1:22) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 25 (Q2 10:24) — (10:24) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 33 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 8-B.McManus 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 10 (Q3 9:36) — (9:36) 9-C.Boswell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 23 (Q3 2:50) — (2:50) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q4 3:04) — (3:04) (No Huddle) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos registered a safety from the PIT 2 (Q4 3:00) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 18-P.Manning pass to 88-D.Thomas is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 27 (Q4 0:57) — (:57) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the DEN 80 (Q4 0:53); Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 29 (Q4 0:24) — (:24) 9-C.Boswell 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 10:00) — (10:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 33-F.Toussaint left tackle to DEN 31 for 3 yards (29-B.Roby). FUMBLES (29-B.Roby), RECOVERED by DEN-94-D.Ware at DEN 35. 94-D.Ware to DEN 35 for no gain (72-C.Wallace). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -5.15]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 8:37) — (8:37) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 16-B.Fowler to PIT 36 for 31 yards (21-R.Golden; 92-J.Harrison). [WPA +16.3% · EPA +3.41]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 12:52) — (12:52) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to DEN 22 for 58 yards (29-B.Roby). [WPA +13.6% · EPA +4.83]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 8-B.McManus 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA +13.0% · EPA +1.09]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 10:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 14-S.Coates pushed ob at DEN 41 for 37 yards (26-D.Stewart). [WPA +11.9% · EPA +4.04]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 10:00) — (10:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 33-F.Toussaint left tackle to DEN 31 for 3 yards (29-B.Roby). FUMBLES (29-B.Roby), RECOVERED by DEN-94-D.Ware at DEN 35. 94-D.Ware to DEN 35 for no gain (72-C.Wallace). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -5.15]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 12:52) — (12:52) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to DEN 22 for 58 yards (29-B.Roby). [WPA +13.6% · EPA +4.83]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 11:48) — (11:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-M.Bryant to DEN 27 for 52 yards (43-T.Ward). [WPA +11.2% · EPA +4.23]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 8:02) — (8:02) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep left to 11-M.Wheaton (21-A.Talib). [WPA -8.8% · EPA -4.09]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 11:25 · PIT 10 · Score 0-3
    (11:25) 8-B.McManus 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  2. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 3:45 · PIT 23 · Score 0-6
    (3:45) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 1:26 · DEN 1 · Score 6-6
    (1:26) 33-F.Toussaint right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 1:22 · DEN 15 · Score 7-6
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 10:24 · DEN 25 · Score 10-6
    (10:24) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · PIT 33 · Score 10-9
    (:05) 8-B.McManus 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 9:36 · DEN 10 · Score 13-9
    (9:36) 9-C.Boswell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
  8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 2:50 · PIT 23 · Score 13-12
    (2:50) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:04 · PIT 1 · Score 13-18
    (3:04) (No Huddle) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q4 3:00 · PIT 2 · Score 13-20
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 18-P.Manning pass to 88-D.Thomas is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
  11. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:57 · PIT 27 · Score 13-23
    (:57) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  12. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:53 · DEN 80 · Score 13-23
    (:53) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 11-M.Wheaton (25-C.Harris). PENALTY on DEN-25-C.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at PIT 20 - No Play.
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 0:24 · DEN 29 · Score 16-23
    (:24) 9-C.Boswell 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

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.
  • D. Heyward-Bey (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Paul Manning (DEN) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos on 2016-01-17?

The Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-16 in Wild Card, 2015.

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

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Denver Broncos 6; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Denver Broncos 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Denver Broncos 14; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Denver Broncos 23.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — F. Toussaint (Q1 1:26) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q4 3:04) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q1 11:25, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q1 3:45, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q2 10:24, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 9:36, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q3 2:50, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q4 0:57, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. Roethlisberger (Q4 0:53, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 0:24, 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), 57.1% completion, -0.5% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.31 total passing EPA. Paul Manning (Denver Broncos), 52.5% completion, -8.2% CPOE, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -3.76 total passing EPA.

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

D. Heyward-Bey (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.03 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 2 snaps. Their top snap (+4.83 EPA): (12:52) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to DEN 22 for 58 yards (29-B.Roby)..

Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 11-6 Now 11-7 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 12-4 Now 13-4 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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