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Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Goodman

DENVER — Andre’ Goodman might have just saved Denver’s night.



The Denver cornerback intercepted Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone.



The Steelers were driving down the field after having started from their own 4-yard line. The Steelers’ offense had suddenly taken over the game.



After struggling for the first 36 minutes of the game, Pittsburgh’s offense was hammering the Broncos for the second straight series.



Goodman’s interception turned a potential double-digit deficit into an opportunity for Denver.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t take long to make up for Denver’s defensive touchdown.



Pittsburgh went down 80 yards in four plays to score a touchdown and take a 14-10 lead.



Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic before the drive and Denver had all the momentum going after linebacker Robert Ayers scored on a 54-yard fumble recovery.



Suddenly, this game, which Pittsburgh led 7-3 at halftime, is a score-fest less than six minutes into the second half.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — The Broncos and Steelers have traded defensive touchdowns.



Denver took a 10-7 lead when rookie linebacker Robert Ayers picked up a Ben Roethlisberger fumble and ran 54 yards for a touchdown with 11:16 to go in the third quarter. Denver defensive lineman Kenny Peterson caused the fumble on a sack. Ayers was a first-round pick acquired in the Jay Cutler trade with Chicago.



In the first half, Pittsburgh scored on an interception return following one of the few mistakes Denver has made all game.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — It’s halftime and Pittsburgh is leading 7-3 even though the Broncos are outplaying the Steelers.



Denver’s defense is playing very well and it looks to have bounced back from a poor effort in a 30-7 loss at Baltimore last week. The Steelers’ offense has only 56 yards and hasn’t been past midfield yet.



Denver is putting good pressure on Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, sacking him twice in the first quarter.



Denver quarterback Kyle Orton looks better than he did against Baltimore. He has hit Brandon Marshall eight times for 82 yards and Eddie Royal four times for 58 yards.



Other than his interception that Pittsburgh returned for a touchdown, Orton has done well. He has completed 16 of 21 for 163 yards.



Denver cornerback Ty Law is playing as a nickel cornerback. The veteran signed with Denver on Saturday.



Denver used the Wildcat again in the second quarter.



Denver cornerback Champ Bailey is shadowing Pittsburgh receiver Santonio Holmes. Bailey usually doesn’t cover specific receivers.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — Broncos coach Josh McDaniels showed his mettle and the call worked.



Except for that holding penalty.



After McDaniels lost a challenge, he went for it on fourth-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 39-yard line with 7:40 to go in the second quarter and Pittsburgh leading 7-3.



Kyle Orton hit Brandon Stokley for a first down. However, guard Ben Hamilton was called for holding, nullifying the play. Denver had to punt.



But the play showed McDaniels has confidence his team can move the ball on Pittsburgh’s defense.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — Kyle Orton‘s second interception of the season could haunt the Denver Broncos.



Orton hurled an overthrown pass and it was intercepted by Pittsburgh safety Tyrone Carter, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead with 12:50 to go in the second quarter.



It was Orton’s second interception of the season. His only other interception was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half against New England on Oct. 11. It was intercepted by Patriots receiver Randy Moss.



Carter is playing because starting safety Ryan Clark is inactive over health concerns. Clark has a rare sickle-cell trait that causes his body to adversely react to exertion in high altitudes. In 2007, the last time Clark played in Denver, he had complications that led to him losing his spleen and gall bladder.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — Kyle Orton‘s first true interception of the season really hurt the Denver Broncos.



Orton hurled an overthrown pass and it was intercepted by Pittsburgh safety Tyrone Carter, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead with 12:50 to go in the second quarter.



It was Orton’s second interception of the season. His only other interception was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half against New England on Oct. 11. It was intercepted by Patriots receiver Randy Moss.



Carter is playing because starting safety Ryan Clark is inactive over health concerns. Clark has a rare sickle-cell trait that causes his body to adversely react to exertion in high altitudes. In 2007, the last time Clark played in Denver, he had complications that led to him losing his spleen and gall bladder.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



DENVER — The Broncos used the Wildcat offense during their first series.



The team used a direct snap to running back Correll Buckhalter, who started the game ahead of rookie Knowshon Moreno. Denver used the Wildcat formation against New England earlier in the season.



The Broncos featured receiver Eddie Royal on their first drive, with the wide receiver catching three passes for 47 yards. That already makes it his second most productive game of the season. He entered the game with 158 yards receiving on 20 catches.



Denver took a 3-0 lead on a Matt Prater field goal on the first drive.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Jabari Greer takes a cautious view of the dramatic improvements made by the unbeaten Saints in only one season.