Live updates and highlights from the NFL game of the second week

Russell Wilson is returning to the Mile High City. However, he will not be able to play due to a calf injury. Stick around for live updates and analysis as Denver hosts the Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High.

Live updates

First quarter updates

Coin toss (2:26 p.m.): Pittsburgh wins the coin toss and pushes back. The Broncos are first on offense. — Gabriel

For the record, Russell Wilson was on the field once today…for the coin toss. — Schubert

Pre-match updates

Bad start (2:23 p.m.): The microphone was not on when the national anthem began, and the flyover began about 20 seconds late. If this is a sign of the Broncos' plan of attack… — Gabriel

Guest fans (13:44): Away fans always arrive at the stadiums earlier, so there's not too much to worry about here, but… 40 minutes before kickoff, there are a lot of Steelers fans in the building. — Gabriel

Wilson out (12:58): Also official: Pittsburgh QB Russell Wilson is inactive and, like Zach Wilson with the Broncos, will serve as the team's third emergency QB today, meaning he will not be able to play in the game unless the Steelers' other two QBs are out with injuries. — Gabriel

Inactive Broncos (12:57 p.m.):

• QB Zach Wilson (third emergency QB)
• WR Devaughn Vele
• CB Kris Abrams-Draine
• RB Blake Watson
• TE Lucas Krull
• OL Frank Crum
• DL Eyioma Uwazurike

No surprises here. Vele was out with an injury on Friday and the rest were inactive last week. Essentially a trade between Vele and rookie WR Troy Franklin, who is officially active for the first time in his career. — Gabriel

Good morning from Empower Field (11:52 am): At around 11:35 a.m., Russell Wilson hit the field for his usual early workout, not before spending a few minutes chatting with Broncos quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, wide receivers Michael Bandy and David Sills, and some trainers. Wilson is not expected to play for Pittsburgh today as he is nursing a calf injury. He was inactive last week but wore the third quarterback uniform in case of emergency. He could take on the same role today. — Gabriel

Scouting report (11am): Check out how the Broncos compare to the Steelers in Ryan McFadden's scouting report.

Match predictions

Parker Gabriel, Beat Author: Steelers 20, Broncos 17

Russ or not, life isn't going to get any easier for Denver's rookie QB Bo Nix against Pittsburgh's defense. TJ Watt is rightfully getting the starring role, but Alex Highsmith (14.5 sacks in 2022, seven last year) is no slouch on the other side either. Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks played pretty honestly last week. Mike Tomlin? We bet he has a few tricks up his sleeve for Nix and Co.

Ryan McFadden, Beat Writer: Steelers 17, Broncos 13

This game could get ugly. Denver's offensive line is already banged up, so there's a chance quarterback Bo Nix will have to run for his life against TJ Watt on Sunday. At the same time, Pittsburgh's offense is questionable. Denver's home opener will be a low-scoring game dominated by the special teams and the running game. Pittsburgh will have the edge against the Broncos.

Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 17, Steelers 16

No Russell Mania, so this feels like a preseason contest. But the Broncos desperately need a win, because if they don't, they're looking at an 0-4 start with back-to-back road games coming up. Bo Nix will be challenged by the Steelers' pass rush, but will benefit from an improved running game. The Broncos will come away, however, thanks to three turnovers, including a Jonathon Cooper strip sack of Justin Fields for the second straight game.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Steelers 22, Broncos 13

Russ, Schmus. Just when Bo Nix needs to concentrate most on his running game and keep a nasty Steelers pass rush in check, Audric Estime is placed on the injured list and left tackle Garett Bolles and center Luke Wattenberg are disabled. The Steelers sent four tight ends onto the field in Atlanta to play single wing with QB Justin Fields. Mike Tomlin will hit the ball with no problem and challenge Nix to do the unbelievable. Number 10 is not ready yet.

Broncos-Steelers NFL Week 2: You should definitely read this

Broncos Analysis: Is Denver in danger of relying too heavily on rookie quarterback Bo Nix to solve the long list of offensive problems from the Russell Wilson era?

In November 2023, the Broncos had won five games in a row and had just picked up a face-off win over Cleveland, putting them above .500 for the first time all season.

At 6-5, they had legitimate playoff ambitions. Quarterback Russell Wilson had 17 touchdowns and no interceptions in the red zone.

The 17:0 TD-INT ratio didn't take into account the sacks and penalties that plagued the Broncos' offense. It didn't hide, in Payton's eyes, the fact that Denver was one of the league's worst offenses in goal-to-go situations. It certainly didn't convince Payton that Wilson was the man who could get Denver where it wanted to go in the long term, reports Parker Gabriel. Read the full story.

Broncos Journal: Denver's pass rush shows signs of improvement, but can the defense dominate the entire game?

The Broncos' starting seven players wanted to be a physical, offensive front this fall, and they wasted no time in doing so in their season opener against the Seahawks.

While Denver wasn't happy with the outcome of its 20-26 loss in Seattle, there were still some positives to come out of the experience, starting with the Broncos' ability to put pressure on Smith in the first half.

After the Broncos ranked 29th in pressure rate (18.2%) in 2023, the pass rush showed signs of life. The next step is to make life difficult for the quarterback for an entire game, reports Ryan McFadden. Read the full story.

Renck: Bringing Bo Nix into the starting lineup was the right decision. But Sean Payton of the Broncos will soon have to defend his decision.

Bo Nix has earned the right to start. And it won't be long before coach Sean Payton has to defend his decision.

Listen to me. Last spring, six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round. Nix was the last.

Three started on opening weekend. Do you know how many of them have to deal with four head coaches in a row who were former defensive coordinators? The list begins and ends with Nix, writes Troy Renck. Read the full column.