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Elam's FG Lifts Broncos Past Steelers

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By ARNIE STAPLETON, The Associated Press

Published: October 22, 2007

DENVER - The Denver Broncos took the city's minds off the Colorado Rockies for a few hours Sunday night, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 on Jason Elam's 49-yard field goal as time expired.

Rookie Tim Crowder had a 50-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, and Jay Cutler threw three TD passes. The Broncos (3-3), coming off their worst home loss in 41 years, looked nothing like the troubled team that had lost playmakers on both sides of the ball and whose season was threatening to unravel before the leaves had finished falling.

Suddenly able to get to the passer despite Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey (thigh) missing a game for just the third time in his career, the Broncos forced three turnovers and sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times.

The Steelers (4-2), who had allowed just five touchdowns all season, surrendered four on this night, including Cutler's throws of 15 yards to Brandon Stokley and 1 yard each to Tony Scheffler and Cecil Sapp.

Elam, who has the game-winner in all three of the Broncos' wins so far, nailed his kick to cap a seven-play, 49-yard drive that covered the final 1:10 after Pittsburgh had rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to tie it.

The Broncos, who lost running back Travis Henry for the night with bruised ribs in the third quarter, snapped a three-game skid.

Pit-Miller 1 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 11:00.

Den-Stokley 15 pass from Cutler (Elam kick), 6:17.

Second Quarter

Den-Sapp 1 pass from Cutler (Elam kick), 4:01.

Den-Crowder 50 fumble return (Elam kick), 2:31.

Third Quarter

Pit-Holmes 13 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 8:10.

Den-Scheffler 1 pass from Cutler (Elam kick), :00.

Fourth Quarter

Pit-Spaeth 13 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 10:10.

Pit-Miller 12 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 1:10.

Den-FG Elam 49, :00.

A-77,038.

RUSHING-Pittsburgh, Parker 21-93, Roethlisberger 3-20, Davenport 2-6. Denver, Henry 17-51, Cutler 3-41, Sapp 1-3, Young 2-1, Stockley 1-(minus 6).

PASSING-Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger 24-35-2-290. Denver, Cutler 22-29-2-248.

RECEIVING-Pittsburgh, Ward 7-78, Holmes 6-54, Miller 5-50, Parker 2-34, Washington 1-40, Spaeth 1-13, Wilson 1-12, Davis 1-9. Denver, Marshall 6-77, Stokley 5-70, Scheffler 5-50, B.Clark 2-14, Young 1-16, Martinez 1-11, Graham 1-9, Sapp 1-1.

MISSED FIELD GOAL-Pittsburgh, Reed 65 (SH).

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