I don't pin this loss squarely on Plummer's shoulders...this team hasn't been used to being more than 10 pts down early since the opening of the season, and he tried to make something happen when it wasn't there. The Steelers saw a major exploit in throwing to 2nd/3rd/4th string WRs vs. Foxworth, and they took it early and often. Sharpe noticed it, Simms noticed it, the defense didn't make quick adjustments to correct it. We could have really used a healthy Darrent Williams for this game and unfortunately it didn't happen in time.
Pittsburgh was better at adapting to win and that's why they won. Good teams do that. Denver came out with a decent run attack despite the Steelers' D and Plummer's fumble gave them the momentum to play the game they're comfortable with. A lot of QBs would have fumbled on that play- Porter made a perfect hit on the ball. Plummer just couldn't tuck in time.
As for next year, I'm still optimistic that Shanahan and Co. will put another good product on the field AS LONG AS they don't let Dennison go with Kubiak to Houston. Then I'll really be concerned.
Congrats to the Steelers. SEA/PIT should be a good game.