Denver
Broncos

"They made some really good adjustments, and we didn't have an answer," linebacker Andra Davis said. "We didn't execute what we were supposed to do."

The Broncos were also a bit concerned because they were dominated by a pair of playoff teams the past two weeks. Denver has good reason to believe it will be in the playoffs. No team has failed to make the playoffs after leading its division by more than three games, and the Broncos once held a 3 1/2-game lead in the AFC West. But they simply weren't competitive against two teams they potentially could see in January.

"It's kind of disheartening because both losses were big losses to the same division and the same type of team -- and both playoff teams from last year," cornerback Andre Goodman said. "If we're going to compete with those teams, we have to play there."

The Broncos have to regroup against a struggling Washington team this week. Then Denver will have its biggest game of the year: a rematch against the Chargers at Invesco Field at Mile High.

--The Broncos defense was great early in the season, but it has shown some signs of cracking the last two games. Denver was incapable of stopping the Steelers in the second half, allowing 321 yards to Pittsburgh after halftime.

"They just outplayed us," defensive end Kenny Peterson said. "There is a reason why they are the defending Super Bowl champions."

--RB Peyton Hillis was inactive against Pittsburgh. He has been dealing with personal issues but should return soon.

--CB Ty Law played as Denver's nickel cornerback against Pittsburgh. The Broncos probably will continue to use Law as their third corner.

--LB Robert Ayers made his first big play in the NFL, picking up a Ben Roethlisberger fumble and returning it for a touchdown. The Broncos have been pleased with the first-rounder's progress.

--WR Brandon Marshall had 11 catches in the loss to Pittsburgh. The Broncos like to spread the ball around, but Marshall is their unquestioned No. 1 receiver and will get more than a fair share of catches.

REPORT CARD VS. STEELERS

PASSING OFFENSE: C-minus -- The Broncos did a pretty good job moving the ball through the air in the first half, but a interception returned for a touchdown was a key mistake. After halftime, the Broncos did almost nothing, with Kyle Orton throwing for 58 yards. Orton also threw three interceptions.

RUSHING OFFENSE: F -- The Steelers are very good against the run, but the Broncos were surprisingly poor on the ground. They had 14 attempts for 27 yards, and the longest run was 7 yards. Rookie Knowshon Moreno ran for 3 yards on five carries. Correll Buckhalter started the game and had a modest 24 yards on nine attempts.

PASS DEFENSE: C-minus -- The Broncos were very good in the first half, but Ben Roethlisberger found some holes in the second half. Roethlisberger threw for three second-half touchdowns and finished with 233 yards. The Broncos used CB Champ Bailey to match up on Santonio Holmes, and Holmes had 93 yards on six catches.

RUSH DEFENSE: D-minus -- The good news is the Broncos held Rashard Mendenhall to 25 yards before halftime. The bad news? He had 130 yards in the second half. Mendenhall picked up yards in huge chunks, averaging 7 yards per carry. The Broncos haven't been as stout against the run the past couple weeks as they were early in the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: D -- Denver didn't allow a kick return for a touchdown, which was progress after allowing two in two games. But there are still issues. P Mitch Berger is struggling, and the team didn't get any big plays out of the return game to help out the stagnant offense.

COACHING: D -- The Broncos have not been nearly as good at second-half adjustments the past two games as they were during a 6-0 start. The opposite is true: They have been destroyed in the past two second halves because the opponents have pushed the right buttons. The Broncos are reeling a bit, and rookie coach Josh McDaniels will be under pressure to get the team back on track.