Months ago, the date was circling on the calendar. The home opener with the return of denigrated quarterback Russell Wilson. Russ, the living nightmare that continues to haunt the Denver Broncos, returns to a hostile city that once embraced and welcomed his presence. But disappointment was the order of the day from start to finish in Broncos Country.

Relegated to third-string emergency duties while nursing a calf injury, Wilson was suited and ready to play but didn’t. So there was no revenge game for Wilson in Denver. Still being paid  $37.7 million by the Broncos in 2024, Wilson probably became the richest man to be paid by his former employer while watching the game against his former employer from the sideline. But make no mistake, it was still a grudge match.

In the final dog days of summer, Wilson took the sunny field in Denver with a disgruntled look on his face. Steeler supporters surrounded the Mile High stadium, waiving their trademark yellow “Terrible Towels” in unison to accompany their blaring roar, enveloping Empower Field. By game end, Broncos Country joined the well-traveled Steelers faithful in booing the Broncos, who failed to score a touchdown in their 13-6 defeat to Pittsburgh.

Fully embraced by his new team, his teammates and Head Coach Mike Tomlin took up the grudge match for Russell Wilson. Wilson got a Game Ball from the coach following the game to go with his multi-million payday from the Broncos. Two former Bronco players, punter Corless Waitman, and wide receiver Brandon Johnson, got game balls after their win.

“I think we all know Russ got did dirty last year,” Steelers starting quarterback Justin Fields said after the game. “I know he wishes he could have played today in this game but it’s awesome getting this win for him. It’s great getting a dub for Russ, for sure.”

The practice of the Steelers is to award game balls to former players of the teams they beat. They’re called “petty game balls,” as Fields described them after the game. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was not willing to discuss the logistics of their practice openly when asked by the media in his press conference.

“[It’s] None of your businesses, respectfully,” Tomlin told the media. “There’s certain things that go on among teams that I don’t talk about. Whether it gets out, or how it gets out, is not important to me and I’m not overly guarded against it. But there’s just certain things as a leader that I talk to the collective about that I have zero intentions of sharing with the larger public, because it’s about our collective, how we come together and how we appreciate and support one another. I can’t give you all the ingredients to the hot dog. You might not like it.”

The Steelers highlighted the Broncos’ lack of offense, which falls in line with the problem the Broncos have had the past few seasons. In this loss, the Broncos failed to score a touchdown. Similar to their Week One loss, the Broncos lost by one score again, failing to get their offense going with a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter. For the second straight game, rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw two interceptions, with one interception in the end zone.

“I think when you go back and watch the film, I think I took a good step,” Nix said. “Sometimes good steps don’t turn into wins though. So it’s a long process. It’s a tough league for a reason. We just have to continue as a crew, as a group, find ways to get better, and build and take steps. I have to do the same.”

The line for Nix on the day was 35 passes with 20 completions for 246 yards, no touchdowns, 2 sacks, and a quarterback rating of 55.2. The running game for the Broncos, or lack of it, was also still problematic. For the second straight game, Bo Nix had the most rushing yards with 25-yards on 4 carries, while running back Javonte Williams finished with 17 yards on 11 carries.

The Broncos’ defensive side of the ball was enough to win the game, allowing the Steelers only one touchdown. They also got to Justin Fields twice in the game for two sacks, allowing just 13 completions passing for 117 yards.

Next up for the Broncos are two road games before they return to Denver in October. The 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host (0-2) Denver on Sunday at 11:05 am.

(See the Steelers/Broncos Photo Gallery at www.SportsReportNet.com)

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