David Zalubowski, Associated Press Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer throws an incomplete pass as he is hit by Steelers linebacker Joey Porter in the second quarter yesterday at Invesco Field in Denver. Click photo for larger image.

DENVER -- There was no tackle, no fumble, no heart attack.

There was no blown call, no missed field goal, no screams of conspiracy.

On a day when the Steelers were riding a mile high, there was only domination. And historical significance. And retribution for a team that spent too many games watching the other team celebrate a trip to the Super Bowl.

Which is why when linebacker James Farrior pushed his way through a crowd of reporters in the locker room yesterday and handed the AFC championship trophy to Joey Porter -- "Hold that ... see what that feels like," Farrior joyously shouted to his teammate -- Porter was only happy to pull the hardware to his lips and plant a big giant kiss.

"I've seen people hold this trophy up on my field twice," Porter shouted. "This time, I get to hold the trophy up."

There are many reasons why the Steelers are headed to Detroit, many reasons why they became the first team since New England in 1986 to win three road playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

They came to Invesco Field and knocked off the No. 2 seed Denver Broncos, 34-17, a game as one-sided as the score would indicate. They did it with an offense that scored the first four times it touched the ball. But they also did it with a defense that forced Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer into four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) -- three of which were converted into touchdowns -- and sacked him three times.

And right at the center of it all was Porter, who has been the most dominant defensive player in the NFL playoffs.

"That's what you play for," Porter said. "Everybody watches the Super Bowl. It's a dream come true. It's the biggest game in football, the biggest game in sports, and anybody who plays football, that's their dream -- to come out of that tunnel and have chance to play in that big game.

"When you can find a bunch of guys like this that you'll do anything for, and you will all get to go together, that's what makes this journey that much sweeter."

One week after he verbally and physically tormented the Indianapolis Colts, Porter did not back off against the Broncos, at least not with the physical stuff.

On the second series, he sacked Plummer on second down and forced a fumble that nose tackle Casey Hampton recovered at the Broncos' 39, setting up the first touchdown.

Then, on the next series, he made two more big plays that helped set the tone for the defense -- pressuring Plummer into two bad throws on back-to-back plays that forced the Broncos to settle for a field goal when the score was 10-3.

It was Porter at his disruptive best.

"He's a monster right now," Farrior said. "He's playing at a very high level and we come to expect that from him."

"He's been playing magnificent," outside linebacker Clark Haggans said. "He's been a huge playmaker on defense. There's been more talk about what he said about refs [after the Indianapolis game] than his playing, and I'm just glad it didn't get to his head. He's a great competitor."

But it wasn't just Porter.

Cornerback Ike Taylor intercepted a pass by Plummer at the Denver 38 with 1:48 remaining, setting up the second of Ben Roethlisberger's two first-half touchdown passes that made the score 24-3 heading into halftime. It was Taylor's first interception in a season in which, according to his estimation, he dropped 10 potential interceptions.

"I was telling some of the guys before the playoffs my hands are suspect right now, but that they would come up big in the postseason and it came true," Taylor said. "They came up big, and I'm glad we scored."

There were others.

Inside linebacker Larry Foote, who gets to play in the Super Bowl in his hometown, intercepted a Plummer pass at the Steelers' 42 early in the fourth quarter -- one play after the special teams committed their only gaffe and allowed a 47-yard kick return by Charlie Adams.

"Larry Foote's interception was big," defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. "I looked at that as a turning point for our guys."

And defensive end Brett Keisel finished off Plummer in much the same manner Porter finished off Peyton Manning last week, sacking him on back-to-back plays and forcing a fumble that Travis Kirschke recovered at the Denver 17 with 4:52 remaining.

"I couldn't believe it," Keisel said. "The sacks should go to Clark [Haggans] because he had him in his grasp both times and he flushed him right to me and I was able to get one hand on him. It was incredible."

This time, though, there was no fumble at the goal line, no heart-stopping return by a cornerback. This time, Roethlisberger converted the miscue into another touchdown -- a 4-yard-run -- to complete the improbable journey to the Super Bowl.

"The offense kept capitalizing every chance we had," Porter said. "Every time we had a chance to get points, we got the points. That just made our lead that much bigger. Once we got a lead that big, we didn't have to respect the run anymore. When we make you one-dimensional, the sharks are in the water. We're going to keep coming."

And the Steelers did. They didn't pressure Plummer the way they did Manning, who was sacked five times and hurried into numerous bad throws because of a well-disguised blitz package.

But they achieved even greater results, converting three of his turnovers into 21 points.

"Our offense has been playing unbelievable," safety Chris Hope said. "Three straight games they've come out and taken over, really imposed themselves on the opponent's defense. That makes it easy for us. When our offense scores 34 points, it makes it real hard for us to be beat."