Despite Loss To Broncos, Steelers Fans Optimistic For Next Year
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs Sunday night after losing 23-16 to the Denver Broncos.
The Steelers led for much of the game, but the Broncos took the lead after recovering a Fitzgerald Toussaint fumble in the fourth quarter.
While many will point to that as the turning point of the game, Ben Roethlisberger made sure to let Toussaint know the team was with him.
"[Roethlisberger said] just to keep my head up and take ownership of it. It's a team game, so they're going to be by my side," Toussaint said.
"I told him, I said, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him the way that him and Fitz played, especially last game and to be out there today. This is not all on them by any means, it's on all of us. So proud of the way he played," Roethlisberger said.
Like the players, fans are disappointed with the outcome and seeing a playoff run come to an end too soon.
Heinz Field was cold and barren Monday morning, which sums up how some fans feel about the game.
"Depressing and empty. Everybody's walking around with broken hearts," Ricardo James said.
Fans say the Steelers started out with the cards stacked against them due to so many starters being injured.
"I think it's amazing that we got to where we were," one woman said.
"They held their own with the players they had to play. I'm optimistic. It was a good season barring the injuries. What can you do?" Mike Dvorchak said.
Even though the NFL season isn't over for everyone, Pittsburghers are looking forward to what happens when a healthy team comes back in the fall.
"Very unfortunate, I'm disappointed in certain players. I know they can do better, they didn't. Next year is another year," one man said
Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and David DeCastro are all slated to play in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31 in Hawaii. It's unclear if Big Ben or Brown will play because of their injuries.
As for the Broncos, they will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
