Steelers can’t hold lead in playoff loss to Denver

(Denver) — The Pittsburgh Steelers injury-riddled season has come up short.

Pittsburgh blew a late lead and fell to the Denver Broncos 23-16.

The Steelers led 13-12 with less than 10 minutes left when Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby punched the ball from Fitzgerald Toussaint’s arms.

Denver’s DeMarcus Ware recovered and minutes later, C.J. Anderson scored the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard run.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who played with an injured shoulder, says his team just came up short.

“It’s tough. You want to keep going,” he says. “You just feel like things are going your way, because we’ve overcome so much in the way you come back from last week’s game. It’s just disappointing to lose.”

Pittsburgh’s last opportunity to tie the game ended on Ware’s sack of Ben Roethlisberger on the next drive.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says it was a tough way to end the season.

“We fought hard. Just not enough today. Came up a few plays short,” he says. “Such is life. I just appreciate the efforts of our football team.”

Brandon McManus iced the victory with his fifth field goal of the game, a 45-yarder with 53 seconds left.

The five field goals tied an NFL playoff record.

Manning was victimized by several drops, yet he was able to complete 21 of his 37 throws for 222 and no interceptions.

Anderson finished with 72 yards on 15 carries.

Roethlisberger threw for 339 yards, with Martavis Bryant grabbing nine passes for 154 yards as the featured receiver in place of the injured Antonio Brown.

The Broncos are in the AFC title game for the second time since 2005.

They host New England next Sunday.