Just when we thought they were dead, the Broncos rose to the occasion (on Sunday Night Football, no less). And they beat one of the best teams in the AFC — no doubt the Steelers are among the top three with Indianapolis and New England bundled in the group — in the process.

The NFL’s top defense? Burned by Jay Cutler. His 248 yards and 3 touchdowns without a running game lifted the Broncos to victory. Hey, he was a major part of the team’s efforts on the ground when he ripped off a 31 yard run.

Denver’s league-worst run defense? It held Willie Parker to under 100 yards. In fact, it kept the Steelers’ dominant ground game to just under 120 on the day.

And it intercepted Ben Roethlisberger. Twice.

Admittedly, things weren’t perfect for the Broncos. Roethlisberger also threw 4 touchdown passes and 290 yards; Cutler threw a couple interceptions; Travis Henry only carried for 51 yards on a 3.0 yard per carry average; and the Broncos won their third game of the season on a walk off field goal.

But they made strides Sunday night. For the first time this season, they showed up to play. It was the first time the offense took matters into its own hands. After all, Pittsburgh drew first blood, scoring on their initial possession. Rather than conservatively try to move the ball down field Denver came out swinging after the ensuing kickoff. Cutler completed 4 of his 5 passes on the drive for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Throughout the game, players like Brandon Stokley and Tony Scheffler stepped up when they were needed. Both were expected to be backups before the season, but some injuries — Rod Smith and Javon Walker, most notably — forced Denver to use the two more liberally. Their response Sunday night: a combined 10 catches for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.

But I would be foolish not to mention another Denver hero who held nothing back. The team’s greybeard, 37-year old Jason Elam, managed yet another walk off, game-winning field goal as time expired. From 49 yards. As Cutler remarked post game, Elam was “money.”

Things weren’t perfect for the Broncos. Though they stalled the Steelers’ ground game, Roethlisberger still threw a good game, despite being pressured consistently and sacked four times. But the offense was there. It was the first time this season Denver made an impression. I’m guessing it won’t be the last.

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