Broncos vs. Steelers: 3 takeaways from Denver's 13-6 loss

The Broncos lost to the Steelers, 13-6, on Sunday at Empower Field in Week 2 of the NFL season. Here are three takeaways from the defeat:

Oh no, Bo

The Broncos reached the red zone on a trick play in the third quarter. Wildcat quarterback Javonte Williams handed it off to wide receiver Courtland Sutton and he pitched a reverse to quarterback Bo Nix. The rookie delivered a 49-yard strike downfield to wide receiver Josh Reynolds. But two plays later, Nix threw an interception in the end zone to cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (intended for Sutton). It encapsulated a generally poor outing for the Broncos offense.

Defensive injuries

Two defensive starters left in the first half with injuries and did not return. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers suffered a concussion and outside linebacker Baron Browning endured a foot injury. Their absence certainly didn’t help against a physical Steelers offense. Their running back duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren exceeded 100 yards rushing. Quarterback Justin Fields did not commit a turnover. He completed 13-of-20 passes for 117 yards and threw one touchdown.

Black and yellow

Give Broncos Country some credit. They did not completely sell out to visiting Steelers fans in the home opener. Sure, there were pockets of black and yellow, with plenty of Terrible Towels waving when Pittsburgh players took the field for pregame warmups. But it was nothing like Atlanta in Week 1 when Steelers fans outnumbered Falcons fans in their stadium. Broncos Country deserves to enjoy a better on-field product considering their intense loyalty to a losing team.