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NFL · Week 5 · October 10, 2021 · 12 min read

Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2021 Week 5 Recap

Steelers defeat Broncos 27–19 in Week 5

B.Roethlisberger led Fantasy Impact as Steelers prevailed in a 19–27 Week 5 finish.

Denver Broncos 19 3–2
Final 19–27
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 2–3 Winner
Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score
19–27
Halftime
Denver Broncos 6–17 Pittsburgh Steelers
Top passer
Teddy Bridgewater
FantasyHQ MVP
B.Roethlisberger
Game date
October 10, 2021

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • Teddy Bridgewater
    Teddy Bridgewater 24/43 · 279 YDS · 2 TD +6.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Tim Patrick
    Tim Patrick 7 REC · 89 YDS +6.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Cameron Sutton
    Cameron Sutton 7 REC · 120 YDS · 1 TD +5.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • B.Roethlisberger 15/28 · 244 YDS · 2 TD +12.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Chase Claypool
    Chase Claypool 5 REC · 130 YDS · 1 TD +10.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Dyontae Johnson
    Dyontae Johnson 2 REC · 72 YDS · 1 TD +7.1 Fantasy Impact
View Broncos vs Steelers box score View all 2021 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score
Pittsburgh Steelers 27–19 Denver Broncos
Halftime
Denver Broncos 6–17 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
B. Roethlisberger
Top passer
Teddy Bridgewater
Biggest EPA play
(4:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 41 for -8 yards (59-M.Reed). FUMBLES (59…
Game date
2021-10-10

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Denver Broncos 27–19 on 2021-10-10. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +12.55 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Denver Broncos33013019
Pittsburgh Steelers71073027

Scoring Map

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

DENDenver Broncos
PITPittsburgh Steelers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 12:09TD
    Dyontae Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 50
    Score
    0-6

    (12:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-D.Johnson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 12:02XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    0-7

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  3. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 1:47FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 21
    Score
    3-7

    (1:47) 8-B.McManus 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  4. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 12:46FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 30
    Score
    3-10

    (12:46) 9-C.Boswell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 5:51FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 11
    Score
    6-10

    (5:51) 8-B.McManus 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  6. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 2:16TD
    Nick Harris

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 1
    Score
    6-16

    (2:16) 22-N.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 2:12XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    6-17

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  8. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 2:46TD
    Chase Claypool

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 18
    Score
    6-23

    (2:46) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 11-C.Claypool for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 2:41XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    6-24

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 10:19TD
    Kyle Hinton

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    12-24

    (10:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 9-K.Hinton for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 10:15XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    13-24

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 5:54TD
    Cameron Sutton

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 39
    Score
    19-24

    (5:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left to 14-C.Sutton for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 2:33FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 26
    Score
    19-27

    (2:33) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +12.55 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
  2. 2Chase ClaypoolChase Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.65 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.78 EPA/play
  3. 3Dyontae JohnsonDyontae Johnson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.57 EPA/play
  4. 4Teddy BridgewaterTeddy Bridgewater · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.61 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
  5. 5Tim PatrickTim Patrick · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.44 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
  6. 6Cameron SuttonCameron Sutton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.24 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
  7. 7Kyle HintonKyle Hinton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play
  8. 8Pat FreiermuthPat Freiermuth · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.94 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.97 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

B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing

B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+12.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 28 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.

B. Roethlisberger's top snap (-6.05 EPA): (4:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 41 for -8 yards (59-M.Reed). FUMBLES (59-M.Reed) [59-M.Reed], touched at PIT 40, RECOVERED by DEN-45-A.Johnson at PIT 39. 45-A.Johnson to PIT 29 for 10 yards (53-K.Green)

Quarterback report card

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

  • Teddy BridgewaterTeddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · +6.3% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.61 total EPA
  • B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 53.6% completion · -7.4% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +12.55 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDenver BroncosPittsburgh Steelers
Offensive EPA/play+0.061+0.157
Offensive success rate44.9%44.4%
Pass EPA/play+0.154+0.448
Rush EPA/play-0.016-0.090
Defensive EPA/play-0.157-0.061
Defensive success rate55.6%55.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Denver Broncos: +0.06 EPA/play (67th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.16 EPA/play (86th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 9 drives, +4.78 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +12.72 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Dyontae JohnsonPittsburgh Steelers — Dyontae Johnson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 12:09)
  • Nick HarrisPittsburgh Steelers — Nick Harris (Q2 2:16)
  • Chase ClaypoolPittsburgh Steelers — Chase Claypool (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 2:46)
  • Kyle HintonDenver Broncos — Kyle Hinton (Teddy Bridgewater pass) (Q4 10:19)
  • Cameron SuttonDenver Broncos — Cameron Sutton (Teddy Bridgewater pass) (Q4 5:54)

Field goals

  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q1 1:47)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q2 12:46)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q2 5:51)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q4 2:33)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 50 (Q1 12:09) — (12:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-D.Johnson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 12:02) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 21 (Q1 1:47) — (1:47) 8-B.McManus 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 30 (Q2 12:46) — (12:46) 9-C.Boswell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the PIT 11 (Q2 5:51) — (5:51) 8-B.McManus 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 2:16) — (2:16) 22-N.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 2:12) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DEN 18 (Q3 2:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 11-C.Claypool for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 2:41) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 13–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 9-K.Hinton for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 10:15) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the PIT 39 (Q4 5:54) — (5:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left to 14-C.Sutton for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DEN 26 (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 12:09) — (12:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-D.Johnson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.25]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 4:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 41 for -8 yards (59-M.Reed). FUMBLES (59-M.Reed) [59-M.Reed], touched at PIT 40, RECOVERED by DEN-45-A.Johnson at PIT 39. 45-A.Johnson to PIT 29 for 1 [WPA -13.2% · EPA -6.05]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 8:42) — (8:42) 33-J.Williams left tackle to PIT 2 for 49 yards (42-J.Pierre). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +4.03]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 5:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 11-C.Claypool pushed ob at DEN 13 for 59 yards (31-J.Simmons, 58-V.Miller). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +4.28]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 5:54) — (5:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left to 14-C.Sutton for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.1% · EPA +3.79]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 4:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 41 for -8 yards (59-M.Reed). FUMBLES (59-M.Reed) [59-M.Reed], touched at PIT 40, RECOVERED by DEN-45-A.Johnson at PIT 39. 45-A.Johnson to PIT 29 for 1 [WPA -13.2% · EPA -6.05]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 12:09) — (12:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-D.Johnson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.25]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 5:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 11-C.Claypool pushed ob at DEN 13 for 59 yards (31-J.Simmons, 58-V.Miller). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +4.28]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 8:42) — (8:42) 33-J.Williams left tackle to PIT 2 for 49 yards (42-J.Pierre). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +4.03]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 12:09 · DEN 50 · Score 0-6
    (12:09) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 18-D.Johnson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 12:02 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  3. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 1:47 · PIT 21 · Score 3-7
    (1:47) 8-B.McManus 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 12:46 · DEN 30 · Score 3-10
    (12:46) 9-C.Boswell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  5. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 5:51 · PIT 11 · Score 6-10
    (5:51) 8-B.McManus 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 2:16 · DEN 1 · Score 6-16
    (2:16) 22-N.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 2:12 · DEN 15 · Score 6-17
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 2:46 · DEN 18 · Score 6-23
    (2:46) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 11-C.Claypool for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 2:41 · DEN 15 · Score 6-24
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  10. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:19 · PIT 2 · Score 12-24
    (10:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 9-K.Hinton for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:15 · PIT 15 · Score 13-24
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 5:54 · PIT 39 · Score 19-24
    (5:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left to 14-C.Sutton for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 2:33 · DEN 26 · Score 19-27
    (2:33) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

Key takeaways

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

  • Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Teddy Bridgewater (DEN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
  • B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Denver Broncos vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2021-10-10?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Denver Broncos 27-19 in Week 5, 2021.

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

Q1: Denver Broncos 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q2: Denver Broncos 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Q3: Denver Broncos 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Denver Broncos 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Final: Denver Broncos 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 27.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Johnson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 12:09) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — N. Harris (Q2 2:16) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — C. Claypool (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 2:46) Denver Broncos touchdown — K. Hinton (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 10:19) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Sutton (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 5:54) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q1 1:47, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q2 12:46, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 5:51, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 2:33, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

Teddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos), 55.8% completion, +6.3% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +6.61 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 53.6% completion, -7.4% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +12.55 total passing EPA.

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

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.55 total EPA on Passing plays. across 28 snaps. Their top snap (-6.05 EPA): (4:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 41 for -8 yards (59-M.Reed). FUMBLES (59-M.Reed) [59-M.Reed], touched at PIT 40, RECOVERED by DEN-45-A.Johnson at PIT 39. 45-A.Joh.

Season records after this game

Denver Broncos

Entered 3-1 Now 3-2 L

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 1-3 Now 2-3 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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