Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos – NFL Divisional Playoff

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Pittsburgh Steelers center Justin Hartwig (62) blocks Denver Broncos defensive end Chris Baker (75). The Steelers won 28-10. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)Denver Broncos Favored To Win Against Pittsburgh Steelers

The Broncos couldn’t have had a better Wild Card weekend. Pittsburgh won giving Denver a shot at taking down Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. The health of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a big factor ahead of this game. Denver would be favored by a field goal, at least, even if Big Ben was healthy. It might be the last playoff run for Peyton Manning who will start for the Broncos. The matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos is scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 4:40 p.m. ET at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the year ranked third in total team offense. They averaged almost 400 yards and 26 points per game. Pittsburgh beat the Denver Broncos with a 34-27 win  during Week 15. Roethlisberger was the only quarterback the Broncos faced this season who had more than 300 yards passing. Also, wide receiver Antonio Brown torched the Denver defense for 189 yards receiving in Pittsburgh’s Dec. 20 win. With Roethlisberger and Brown getting hurt Saturday in Cincinnati, the Steelers offense certainly won’t be the same. If Roethlisberger can’t start, expect Michael Vick to be active. Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams has an injured foot and is questionable. The Steelers run game is in the hands of Fitz Toussaint and Jordan Todman. The pair did well against Cincinnati, but things will be different against Denver’s best defense.
The Denver Broncos have had injuries in the offensive line and quarterback Peton Manning’s left foot. The Broncos have played many grind out games. They were 9-3 in games decided by seven or fewer points this season. Denver used the bye week to get several defensive players ready for the next game. Linebacker Demarcus Ware and defensive backs Darian Stewart and Chris Harris are likely to play. The Denver Broncos don’t need to play a perfect game against the Steelers to win. Manning and the passing game will be exciting, but the work they do in the trenches could be the difference.

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