Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos Playoffs Winners and Losers

The Pittsburgh Steelers incredible 2015-2016 season has come to an end. After their loss in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs to the Denver Broncos, there were players who could  be labeled as 'Winners' and 'Losers' after the game. Here is the list following the season-ending loss in the Mile High city.

Winners:

Stephon Tuitt: While only on the stat sheet with two tackles, Tuitt played extremely well on the line of scrimmage to stop the Broncos' ground game and collapse the pocket during the pass game. For a second year player, Tuitt is amazing. Love this guy.

Martavis Bryant - nine catches for 154 yards as well as 40 yards on two carries, Bryant stepped up when the team needed a player to rise in Antonio Brown's absence. While he had some drops, Bryant was instrumental to the Steelers moving the ball today. He has stepped into the role of a key player and made several big plays today to keep the team alive. Hopefully next year he can make plays with the two best weapons in the NFL still active on the roster.

Chris Boswell - 3/3 on field goals in a crazy wind situation in an opposing situation. The man is perfect in the postseason. Sorry Shaun Suisham, this is the guy at the kicker position for the Steelers.

James Harrison - This guy is 37 years old making huge plays. Steelers legend the whole way through, I love everything this guy brings. I hope that he can make another miracle season appearance with the way he showed up in 2015, but even if he does not, he has been one of the greatest Steelers to ever put on the black and gold. His sack and six tackle are only further examples of his greatness and deserves a salute to number 92.

Ben Roethlisberger - 24-37 in the passing game with 339 yards. While no touchdowns, also no turnovers against the NFL's top defense and without three of the best player in the league in Antonio Brown, Maurkice Pouncey and Le'Veon Bell. Not to forget that he came into this game on a bum shoulder, his performance was heroic and true to his legend as a quarterback and a Steeler.

Sammie Coates - His two catches for 61 yards were in key situations for the team and he showed he can be a weapon in the future. Hopefully Pittsburgh can be healthy next season so Coates can be part of a complete offense.

Note:

There are no losers for this game. Yes, Fitzgerald Toussaint fumbled in a key situation, but he's a fourth string practice squad player, whom without his efforts the team would not be here to play the Broncos in the divisional round. Toussaint sat most of this season on the practice squad and was called in during the most desperate of situations and still made one of the biggest catches of the season last week on a third down that kept the team's season alive. During a regular season game, that might not have given him a pass, but during a postseason game that is to his credit. I hope Pittsburgh finds a way to keep him moving forward.

All in all, this team fought through serious odds to even get to this point of the season. If you are a Steelers fan reading this, you have to be proud of the fact that despite missing the teams' two MVPs from the previous season that they came within one possession of the AFC Championship game. Kudos to Mike Tomlin, Keith Butler, Todd Haley and the Rooneys for a hard-fought season.

Be sure to stay with us on BTSC as we cap off this season and get us ready for the NFL combine and draft.