Steelers' play of the game vs. Broncos came from a player nobody expected

In a game that will hardly be remembered for its beauty, the Steelers scraped out a hard-fought 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos. The Steelers managed to pull off an ugly win in what might be one of the messiest games I've seen in a long time.

Both offenses were abysmal, and the game was marred by penalties from start to finish. Offensively, there weren't many bright spots for Pittsburgh, but once again, the defense proved its elite status. Despite the rough overall performance, here's a look at the Steelers player and play of the game.

Players of the game: TJ Watt/Alex Highsmith

Both edge rushers made a significant impact, each recording a sack. Watt and Highsmith were instrumental in forcing multiple penalties from Denver’s offensive line. One could argue that even more flags should have been thrown, but for TJ Watt, it seems dealing with missed calls from referees is just part of the game. Overall, the Steelers' defense was strong, but those two remain the driving force behind its success.

Play of the game: Cory Trice endzone interception

Denver's offense struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game, remaining stagnant until a well-timed trick play got them into the red zone. The Broncos were on the verge of scoring, but Corey Trice made a game-changing interception, picking off an ill-advised pass from Bo Nix in the back of the end zone.

Looking back, that pivotal turnover swung the momentum, especially as the Steelers narrowly secured a 7-point victory. Notably, this interception came just moments after Donte Jackson temporarily left the field due to injury.

Other thoughts on Steelers vs. Broncos game:

The Steelers somehow keep finding ways to win, despite doing it in the ugliest fashion imaginable. After the first two games, it’s tough to tell if this team is actually good, especially with how stagnant and unproductive the offense has been. At some point, this style of play is going to catch up with the Steelers. The abundance of penalties on an already struggling offense only makes matters worse.

The passing game has been almost non-existent, with most of it relying on deep shots to George Pickens. This can’t continue if the team wants to improve. The receiving corps simply isn’t good enough, and Arthur Smith needs to do a better job scheming players open. Without a trade, free-agent signing, or Roman Wilson returning to full health, the passing attack is unlikely to get any better.

Expect another game with a subpar offense and dominant defense next week when the Chargers come to town. Jim Harbaugh’s style is similar to Tomlin’s, so we’re likely in for more of the same: great defense, bad offense.