Halicke: Trice's first career pick helps defense 'make a statement'

DENVER -- The defense did its job Sunday. The offense should have scored more points than they did had it not been for six penalties, but the defense kept the Broncos out of the end zone in the 13-6 victory to improve to 2-0, which is always a good way to win games.

Among the plays made to keep Denver out of the end zone, Cory Trice Jr.'s interception stands out as the highlight.

With the offense sputtering to what would eventually be a total of 62 yards in the second half, the Broncos had a couple of attempts to get back into the game. The first came with the Steelers leading 10-0 in the third quarter. The Steelers had just punted on their first two series of the second half, and the Broncos used a little trickery to hit the defense deep downfield:

To add salt to the wound, Donte Jackson would temporarily leave the game with an injury on that play, paving the way for Trice to enter the game. And with the Broncos pounding on the door, Trice made a heck of a read and picked off Bo Nix in the end zone:

"All that he's been able to overcome. Just seeing all the work that he puts in. And to see him get that play, that interception was huge," T.J. Watt said of Trice. "To have Cory make a play like that in a big-time moment was huge."

Huge for a number of reasons. Trice is a former seventh-round pick. He has enough talent to have been drafted in the middle rounds, but a lengthy injury history scared teams off. Then, his rookie season was taken away due to another serious injury. Watt's right, Trice has overcome a lot, and making a play like that in a critical spot to preserve a two-score lead is a heck of a way to record one's first career interception.

"We're not surprised. We love making plays. We love seeing who's going to make plays. We know there's plays to be made," Watt continued. "We're not trying too hard to do more than what we're supposed to. We're trusting each other, and I think growing and continuing to get better as a defense."

This play really shows how Trice made a great play within the structure of the defense. Watch it again and track Trice at the top of the screen. The Steelers are in a zone defense. So, when the lone eligible receiver on his side runs a crosser to the other side, Trice looks around and finds ways to fill space and take receivers away. He sees Watt has the flat and that Elandon Roberts has the curl underneath. So, he looks back to fill the space deep, locates Courtland Sutton, gets his eyes turned back around to Nix and makes a play. Just a great display of reading and reacting.

"Just from the top down, we're trying to make a statement to everybody that's watching," Trice said after the game. "Everybody's trying to make plays and execute."

Well, this was his time to make a play. And, what an addition he can be to solidify the depth at cornerback should he continue to make plays like this.