First thoughts after the Broncos’ 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 at Empower Field, during rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s first home game in Denver.

RussFest denied: Unfortunately, we didn’t get the Russell Wilson Revenge Game we were promised when the schedule was released in May — depriving Broncos fans of perhaps the only cathartic moment of the entire season. The only time Russ took the field on Sunday afternoon was for the coin toss (he was booed). The Steelers went on to win (and defer), so you could argue he had some impact on events — a little. Given the way Justin Fields has performed in leading the Steelers to a 2-0 start, he may have to get used to that ceremonial role.

Double challenge: Sean Payton seemed content to play field position late in the second quarter. With the Broncos facing fourth-and-7 at the Steelers’ 39-yard line, the Broncos coach sent the punt team outside. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called a timeout, daring Payton to send his offense back outside. Payton did so, Bo Nix’s fourth-down pass (intended for Troy Franklin, short of the sticks) was batted down at the line, and the Steelers turned the turnover on downs into three points the other way to end the half. If ever there was a series that summed up the first two weeks of this seemingly perfect-on-arrival season, this is it. Except maybe this one …

Open book: It took six Broncos possessions and a Wildcat formation with Javonte Williams in shotgun to uncork the play that brought Empower Field to its feet: a fake reverse run that ended with Bo Nix throwing deep to Josh Reynolds for a gain of 49 yards. One play before that, Courtland Sutton caught his only reception of the game (on his first target) for a gain of 26 yards. And those were the two longest plays of the season for the Broncos offense up to that point. Why did it take so long for Payton to open the playbook? Maybe Nix’s ill-advised interception in the end zone two plays later offered a clue. There’s just not enough confidence at this point.

Show me the money: At what point does the Broncos’ massive investment in the offensive line begin to pay off? Two weeks into 2024, we’re still waiting to see the results. Denver ran the ball seven times in the first half, gaining 5.4 yards per run, and then couldn’t pick up a third-and-inches with Javonte Williams on the Broncos’ first drive of the second half. Bookend offensive tackles Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey, who have a combined $27.7 million cap hit this season, took turns being beaten for sacks off the edge in the first half. They followed it up with two holding flags in the second half. Your final rushing tally: 19 carries, 64 yards. Not. Good. Enough.