Ben Roethlisberger was rarin' to visit after rallying the actual Pittsburgh Steelers within the fourth quarter.
Sitting on the sideline, the banged-up quarterback using the balky ankle was anxiously awaiting his chance to consider the field within overtime.Given the brand new rules, all the Pittsburgh defense needed to do was contain the Denver Broncos to some field goal – or even, even better, the punt – as well as Roethlisberger would obtain another crack.
This didn't happen.
Next time Roethlisberger stepped on to the field had been to congratulate the actual Broncos. Tim Tebow proved helpful his magic just as before, hitting Demaryius Thomas to have an 80-yard catch and run inside a stunning 29-23 win within the AFC wild-card online game Sunday.
The play that ended the growing season for the Steelers (12-5) required 11 seconds and erased all of the hard work Roethlisberger experienced done to move Pittsburgh from fourteen points down.
"Any loss stinks personally and this isn't any different, " Roethlisberger stated. "It's hard to place into words at this time. It's a irritating thing. "
Times earlier, the Steelers had been poised to grab an improbable earn in regulation. Together with his team trailing 23-16 with under 4 minutes leftover, Roethlisberger found Jerricho Cotchery ultimately zone for the actual tying score.
After obtaining the ball back along with 1: 37 leftover, Roethlisberger – displaying little effects through an ankle injury which has been bothering him for around a month – went the team towards the outer edge associated with field-goal range.
Through there, it unraveled. Roethlisberger had the actual ball jarred free by Elvis Dumervil before pouncing onto it. But it pressed the Steelers from range and resulted in overtime.
The Broncos (9-8) received the coin throw and Tebow quickly visited work.
One perform later, the capacity group was roaring and also the Steelers were reeling. The Broncos move ahead to play Brand new England next weekend break.
"Nice job through those guys, inch Pittsburgh coach Paul Tomlin said. "They created the significant performs tonight. "
And took benefit of blown coverage about the game's final perform. Thomas hauled inside a play-action pass in the Denver 38, stiff-armed cornerback Ike Taylor after which outraced safety Ryan Mundy towards the end zone.
"I felt such as I probably might have helped Ike away, " said Mundy, who was filling out for Ryan Clark since the team's leading tackler sat out like a precaution due to a blood disorder that is exacerbated by altitude. "That's a difficult coverage for (Taylor). Absolutely no help, and my personal help was past due. This game was not on Ike. We win like a team, we lose like a team. "
Roethlisberger had the conversation with Taylor following the game, but wanted the precise nature of it to stay private.
"I informed him I cherished him, " Roethlisberger stated.
The Steelers joined this game like a nine-point favorite despite the fact that they were dinged up at just about any position. Roethlisberger had been bothered by a good ankle injury, but nonetheless played.
And pretty much, too, finishing 22 associated with 44 for 289 yards and something TD pass. He or she also threw a good interception.
Tailback Rashard Mendenhall didn't play as a result of knee injury as well as Pro Bowl middle Maurkice Pouncey was inactive for that game due to a sore ankle.
Later on, the Steelers dropped left tackle Max Starks to some right knee condition.
If that was not enough, Pittsburgh also experienced defensive linemen Brett Keisel (groin) as well as Casey Hampton (remaining knee) leave the overall game with injuries.
An issue? Tomlin wouldn't actually entertain that idea.
"We don't reside in that world, inch he said. "We don't make excuses when it comes to injuries. The guys we placed on the field had been capable of performing and the cause we didn't get the job done is because all of us didn't perform. inch
Making his first appearance within the playoffs after heading 7-4 as Denver's beginner, Tebow outdueled Roethlisberger, the two-time Super Dish winner, who fell to 10-4 within the playoffs. The Broncos additionally snapped a three-game dropping streak that experienced many wondering when they were even worth their first playoff look in six months.
Turns out, maybe these were.
"We're just the fighting team – lots of resilience, " cornerback Champion Bailey said. "In any kind of adverse situation, we'll discover a way to get from it.
"Everybody says we backed to the playoffs – we are in. We did something right on the way. "
With Tebow at the forefront, unorthodox style as well as all.
"He received. That's all which matters, " security Troy Polamalu stated of Tebow. "They received, I should state.
"They'll be in a position to play New England in a few days and that'll be a good challenge on their behalf. "
