Football rivalries usually live within a division. You've got your Ravens-Steelers bloodbaths or the Chiefs-Raiders hate-fests. But then there’s this weird, cross-conference ghost of a rivalry that just won't go away. Honestly, the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos matchup is one of the most underrated thorns in the side of the Black and Gold. If you’re a Steelers fan, Denver is basically where Super Bowl dreams go to die in the thin air.
Most people don't realize that Denver is one of only four teams in the entire AFC that actually holds a winning record against Pittsburgh. Think about that for a second. The Steelers have six rings, a legendary "Steel Curtain" history, and a coach in Mike Tomlin who hasn't had a losing season since the George W. Bush administration. Yet, when they look at the Broncos, the record is... well, it’s not great.
The Altitude and the Agony
The all-time series leans in Denver's favor, with the Broncos holding 20 wins to Pittsburgh’s 14 (plus one odd tie back in the 70s). If you include the playoffs, the gap stays there. It's 23-15 if you use some datasets, but regardless of the specific math, Denver has the upper hand.
Why?
It’s partially the Mile High factor. Playing at altitude is a real thing, and the Steelers have historically struggled to keep their lungs from burning in the fourth quarter at Empower Field. But it’s also just bad luck and specific, painful moments that have defined the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver history.
The Tim Tebow 80-Yard Dagger (And Other Playoff Scars)
You can’t talk about these two teams without mentioning 2011. It was the Wild Card round. The Steelers were heavy favorites. Then, on the first play of overtime, Tim Tebow—yes, that Tim Tebow—threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas.
Game over in 11 seconds.
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It remains one of the most shocking playoff upsets in NFL history. But that wasn’t an isolated incident. Denver leads the postseason series 5-3. They beat the Steelers in the 1997 AFC Championship when Bill Cowher’s squad was arguably the better team. They did it again in 2015, on Denver’s way to winning Super Bowl 50.
Basically, every time the Steelers look like they’re ready to hoist a trophy, the Broncos show up like a final boss they forgot to prepare for.
What Really Happened in 2024?
The latest chapter in the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver saga happened on September 15, 2024. This was a "revenge" game of sorts, mostly because of the Russell Wilson drama. Wilson had just been cut by Denver—they’re still paying him nearly $40 million to not play for them—and he signed with Pittsburgh.
He didn't even play.
A calf injury kept him on the sideline in a baseball cap. Justin Fields got the start instead. Honestly, it was a "typical" Steelers win. Ugly. Gritty. The kind of game that makes offensive coordinators cry.
The final score was 13-6.
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The Steelers didn't even score a touchdown after the first quarter. They relied on Chris Boswell’s leg and a defense that absolutely terrorized Broncos rookie Bo Nix. Nix threw two interceptions, one to Cory Trice Jr. in the end zone and another to Damontae Kazee to end the game.
It wasn't a masterpiece. But for Mike Tomlin, it was a masterclass in how to beat a rookie quarterback. Tomlin is now something like 25-6 against rookie starters. He makes them see ghosts.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Defense vs. Growing Pains
When you look at Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver today, it’s a battle of philosophies.
- The Steelers Identity: They want to run the ball with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, eat clock, and let T.J. Watt ruin your life. Watt is currently chasing 100 career sacks and remains the most disruptive force in football.
- The Broncos Identity: Sean Payton is trying to rebuild a culture. It's been rough. Since moving on from Russell Wilson, the offense has lacked explosive plays.
In that 2024 matchup, Denver’s offense averaged a pathetic 3.3 yards per play. You can't win in the NFL like that. Not against a defense that features Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith.
The Russell Wilson Elephant in the Room
There's no getting around it: the trade that brought Russell Wilson to Denver was a disaster. It’s arguably the worst trade in sports history. When he landed in Pittsburgh, it added a layer of pettiness to the rivalry.
Even though Wilson didn't start the Week 2 game, the "win" felt like a vindication for the Steelers' front office. They got the veteran for a league-minimum salary while Denver is still eating the "dead cap" hit.
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Misconceptions About the Rivalry
A lot of people think the Steelers dominate this series because of their six Super Bowls.
Wrong.
The Broncos are actually the team with the higher winning percentage in the head-to-head. They’ve consistently found ways to frustrate Pittsburgh’s legendary coaches, from Chuck Noll to Bill Cowher to Mike Tomlin.
Another misconception? That it’s always a high-scoring affair because of the altitude.
Actually, the recent games have been defensive slugfests. The 13-6 score in 2024 is part of a trend. The Steelers are 10-1 since 2023 when they score at least 17 points. If they don't get to 17? They usually lose. They are the kings of the "one-score game," and Denver has been the perfect partner for those tight, stressful finishes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're watching or betting on a Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver game in the future, keep these things in mind:
- The 17-Point Rule: If the Steelers reach 17, they almost always win. If Denver's defense holds them below that, the Broncos have a massive edge.
- Turnover Margin: Pittsburgh is nearly unbeatable (29-7 in the last few years) when they win or tie the turnover battle. If you see Bo Nix or any Denver QB throwing picks early, it's over.
- The Home Opener Factor: Denver is traditionally dominant at home in September (83-33-2 all-time). The Steelers breaking that trend in 2024 was a huge statement about their defensive depth.
- Watch the Blitz: Denver blitzed on nearly 50% of plays in their last meeting. Pittsburgh, conversely, blitzed less than 10%. One team relies on scheme; the other (Pittsburgh) relies on their front four just being better than your offensive line.
The next time these two meet is scheduled for 2026. By then, Bo Nix might be a seasoned vet, and the Russell Wilson era in Pittsburgh will likely be a memory. But the thin air in Colorado and the "Steel Curtain" pride will still be there.
Check the injury reports for T.J. Watt specifically. When he's on the field, the Steelers' win percentage jumps significantly. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the stats, look at the rushing discrepancy. Denver struggled in 2023 and early 2024 to stop the run, which is exactly how Pittsburgh wants to play. If the Broncos can’t beef up their interior line, the Steelers will continue their recent three-game winning streak in this series.
Keep an eye on the turnover differential in the first half. It’s the most predictive stat for this specific matchup. If Pittsburgh stays "clean," they grind out the win. If they get sloppy, Mile High magic usually takes over.