Bo Nix Watch: Third-quarter interception another example of rookie QB trying to do too much

Stat line: 19-of-33 passing, 231 yards, two interceptions

Highlight: Bo Nix may have silenced a few doubts about his arm strength. With 8:02 to go in the third quarter, Nix completed a 26-yard pass over the middle to wideout Courtland Sutton. On the following play, Denver pulled out some trickery out of the Wildcat, as Sutton pitched the ball to Nix, who launched it down the field to wideout Josh Reynolds for a 49-yard completion.

Lowlight: As soon as Nix created momentum for the Broncos, he sucked it all away. On second-and-goal, Nix threw an interception in the end zone to Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. It was a bad pass by Nix, who attempted to throw the ball to Sutton.

Analysis: There were good, bad and ugly moments from Nix’s second career start. He appeared more comfortable in the pocket compared to Week 1 in Seattle. He started the game 5 for 5 for 27 yards and took some shots down the field later in the game, but accuracy remained an issue. He overthrew wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. after he created separation on a deep throw. His pass to an open Nate Adkins sailed over the tight end’s hands in the third. His interception in the red zone was forced, similar to last week when both of his picks were thrown into double coverage. Poor protection, costly penalties and drops from tight end Greg Dulcich didn’t help, either.

Unsung Hero

Broncos special teams: Denver’s special teams has been one of the few bright spots through two games. For the second straight week, the punt team pinned an opponent at its 1-yard line. Early in the second quarter, punter Riley Dixon booted the ball 51 yards before linebacker Justin Strnad flipped the ball out of the end zone to fullback Burton to position Pittsburgh’s offense at the goal line. In the third quarter, safety P.J. Locke and Strnad quickly stopped punt returner Calvin Austin III for a 4-yard loss.

Goat of the game

CB Pat Surtain II: The Broncos star cornerback had a rough day, getting penalized three times, one of which came on special teams. Surtain’s defensive pass interference on wide receiver George Pickens in the third quarter helped set up a field goal from Steelers kicker Chris Boswell to extend his team’s lead to 13-0 with 4:16 remaining.

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