Third downs a problem for Steelers

PITTSBURGH – The Steelers flirted with disaster in recent weeks on offense, turning the ball over and failing to convert third downs at anything close to an efficient rate.
Things won’t get any easier Sunday when they travel to Denver for an AFC Divisional Playoff game.
The Broncos, the top seed in the AFC, led the NFL in total defense and were one of just two teams to hold opponents under 300 total yards per game.
With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger nursing a separated shoulder, wide receiver Antonio Brown in concussion protocol and running back DeAngelo Williams dealing with a sprained foot, Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t anywhere near full strength.
The Steelers, who are coming off an 18-16 win last Saturday night at Cincinnati, are confident they could have all three players back to face the well-rested Broncos, who are coming off a bye week, but how effective they can be remains to be seen.
“I’m going to give it everything I can, just like I always do,” said Roethlisberger, who will likely be limited in practice all week.
But Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t been nearly as explosive since, well, the last time they played the Broncos.
Since recording that 34-27 come-from-behind win at Heinz Field Dec. 20, the Steelers’ sixth consecutive game with more than 30 points, the Steelers have scored 17, 28 and 18 points, turning the ball over at least twice in each game.
Pittsburgh went 2-1 in those games, but the offense hasn’t produced nearly as it did the previous six games.
“I told the guys, ‘Of course we want to win every game by 40, but that’s not going to happen,'” said Roethlisberger. “You have to find any way possible to win the game.”
Pittsburgh’s biggest issue might be on third downs. After converting 7 of 15 third downs and becoming the only team to score more than 30 points against the Broncos this season, the Steelers are just 6 for 29 on third downs in their past three games. That includes the win over Cincinnati, when they converted just 2 of 13.
Roethlisberger suffered his injury on the final play of the third quarter against the Bengals and did not return to the game until Pittsburgh’s final possession. He led the Steelers on a game-winning field goal drive in the final minute, but was severely limited throwing the ball.
On his final pass, he overthrew Brown badly and the Steelers’ All-Pro receiver suffered a concussion when Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict hit him in the head with his shoulder, drawing a personal foul.
Brown will have to clear concussion protocol before he is allowed to return to practice this week.
Williams, meanwhile, suffered his foot injury early in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s season-ending win at Cleveland and missed the game against the Bengals.
Backups Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman combined for 123 yards rushing on 28 carries. Toussaint also had four receptions for 40 yards.
“A lot of people don’t know who they are,” said Williams. “I saw somebody called them TNT and I thought that is the perfect name for them, them being dynamite. That is the way that they played.”
The Broncos permitted opponents to convert third downs at a 35-percent rate, seventh-best in the NFL.
Denver, which is still sullen after allowing the Steelers to come back from a 27-10 deficit in the first meeting and wants to exact a bit of revenge, particularly in the secondary.
Brown, working primarily against Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris, caught 16 passes for 189 yards and two scores in the game.
And the Broncos expect all of the Steelers’ stars to play.
“Ben will be there. A.B. will be there,” said Denver Pro Bowl corner Aqib Talib. “We want those guys to be there. If we didn’t want them to be there, that means I’d want A.B. to be messed up. That’s a good dude. We don’t want him to be messed up. As long as he’s good, he’ll be there.”
Steelers tight end Heath Miller has 48 postseason receptions, tying him with Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann for fourth most in team history. Miller’s 582 receiving yards are fifth in team history, five behind Earnie Mills. … The Steelers have won 10 of their past 14 playoff games. One of those losses came in Denver, 29-23, in overtime Jan. 8, 2012.