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Ghosts of Championship Past Vist Broncos
Contributed by: Dale Munholland on 1/20/2006

It was a cold, brutal day for the two titans of the American Football Conference as they battled each other on the turf in Denver.  The Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh off their shocking win over the seemingly unbeatable Indianapolis Colts, had rolled into Denver resolved that these noble giants of the Rocky Mountain region would not extend thier win streak at Invesco Field at Mile High.  The blue and orange clad Denver Broncos, exuberant because of  their thier dominating win over the two time defending champion New England Patriots, were equally resolute in not allowing these warriors from the steel town from ending thier seemingly unconsiable run this season.

The game began well for the Denver Broncos as Jake Plummer connected with Rod Smith from thirty-five yards out to put the Broncos up 7-0 early in the first quarter.  Keying the scoring drive were physically pounding runs by Mike Anderson and a twenty yard scamper off the left side by Tatum Bell.  The Steelers answered by driving to the Denver thirty yard line only to be victimized by Denver's opportunistic defense when Steeler reciever Hienz Ward fumbled the ball on a short hitch pattern and John Lynch recovered the fumble.  Jake Plummer quickly directed Denver to the Pittsburgh twenty yard line where the drive stalled and Jason Elam split the uprights giving Denver a 10-0 lead as the first quarter ended.

The second quarter was Pittsburg's as Ben Rothlisburger drove Pittsburg seventy yards on the quarters opening drive.  Jerome Bettis served up the "Bettis Special" as he bowled, bullied and battered his way into the endzone from the one yard line making the score 10-7 Denver.  On the following drive Denver only mustered one first down and twenty-five yards most of which came on a 17 yard pass to Ashlie Lelie. 

After a booming punt by Denver, the Rothlisburger led Steelers began thier next drive at the Denver ten yard line.  Eight plays, seven minutes, and eighty-five yards later, the ground trembled and the stands shook as the Steelers lined up the the Denver five yard line for a pivital third and goal play.  Rothlisburger faded to throw as John Lynch and Al Wilson flew into the pocket on a suicide blitz.  "Big" Ben's pass found its way into the hands of Antwan Randel-El in the endzone as Rothlisburger lay in a heap on the ground with Wilson and Lynch on top of him like a blanket.  The crowd nosie died harmlessly as the Steelers seemingly had snached a 14-10 lead just before halftime.  However, a closer inspection of the field revealed that a flag lay near the line of scrimmage.  False Start against the Steelers was the call, the 12th man had saved the day- or at least the half for the home team.  Penalized five yards and more importantly to the orange and blue clad cathedral that is Invesco Field, no touchdown, the Steelers again lined up and attempted to throw into the endzone on third and goal but this time from the ten yard line.  As before, Lynch and Wilson pinched from the outside on a blitz but unlike before, this time they sacked Rothlisburger at the Denver twenty forcing Pittsburgh to settle for a field goal and a 10-10 tie at half.

The first half of the third quarter resembled more of a heavyweight championship match between Ali and Frasier than that of a conference championship football game as the two teams battered, beat and bloodied one another with neither offense able to post more that one first down.  With five minutes left in the third quarter Denver's offense once again caught fire.  After a quick 15 yard slant to Rod Smith, a ten yard rumble by Mike Anderson, and a sprinkling of passes and runs by Bell, Lelie, Jeb Putzier Denver found itself at the Steeler three yard line.  On second and goal, Jake Plummer looking very much like John Elway rolled to his right and not finding anyone open dove into the endzone himself.  After Elam's point after Denver led 17-10 to end the third quarter.

To open the fourth quarter the Steelers started with excellent field position as they returned the kick-off to the Denver fourty yard line.  From there Rothlisburger drove Pittsburg to the one yard line where again Bettis barreled his way into the endzone once again tying the score 17-17.  After trading punts Denver had the ball with three minutes to go however, this time they would begin at their two yard line as Pittsburgh downed the punt there.  During the TV timeout, the teams huddled on the sidelines to discuss strategy.  Denver's offensive line met their their coaches to finalize their blocking scheme for this final drive.  Strolling up the O-line meeting, after watching the game from the side line came Keith Bishop.  Yes, that Keith Bishop, Denver's offensive line stalwart during the late eighties.  Bishop just smiled, looked at the bloodied lineman and with a wink said, "Boys, we got right where we want them."  Confindence flooded the huddle.  Meanwhile, as Plummer met with Shannahan on the sideline going over the plays for the up coming drive, Denver legend John Elway walked up behind the two Denver generals, placed a hand on Plummer's shoulder and told him in no uncertain terms, that this was his time to shine and add to the Denver legacy in the playoffs and trumpet the return of "Mile High Magic".  The crowd roared, the stands swayed, Plummer's hair flowed, Bell and Anderson chewed up yards and time, Smith and Lelie caught everything, Shannahan planned, Cower spit and the Steeler defense gasped for much needed air.  Plummer and the Broncos offense seemingly could do no wrong and do as they pleased swiftly moving down the field.  With a little over a minute remaining the game and Denver at Pittsburgh's fourty-five yard line, Plummer rolled to his right and caught a glipmse of Rod Smith breaking free from coverage.  Plummer heaved the ball towards Smith's direction.  Smith run smoothly under the ball, cradleing the ball, jogging into the endzone.  Euphoria erupted in the stands.  The ground trembled with such force that it rivaled the old Mile High in its heyday.  With the Elam PAT Denver led 24-17.

Pittsburgh, in desperation, tried  to score but could muster little more than an interception by Champ Bailey as the clock hit 0:00.  Denver had just earned its seventh trip to the Super Bowl, becoming quite possibly the first people in history to actually be excited about the prospect of going to Detroit.  Thier opponent?  An old AFC West rival Seattle Seahawks led by Mike Holmgren.  Also a rematch of the head coaches from Super Bowl XXXII.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Dale Munholland

Thornton , CO

Dale Munholland has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 1/20/2006. Dale Munholland 's average story rating is 0.
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