Photo Courtesy: The Brit_2
Game Info
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday – December 20 – 3:25 pm CT
TV: CBS
Heinz Fields – Pittsburgh, PA
Records Before the Game
Denver Broncos (10-3, 6-1 away)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5, 5-2 home)
This will be the game to see on Sunday. The Denver Broncos are traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers receivers look to expose the Broncos secondary. The keys to victory will be the pass rush of the Broncos defense because sacking “Big Ben” will be a tough task. Let’s take a look at both side of the ball and the keys to victory for the Broncos.
Broncos Offense
Peyton Manning practiced Wednesday taking back up reps in drills, but Brock Osweiler is still the starter for this game. The Broncos will try to establish their running game. It’s going to be cold in Pittsburgh and this time of the year the wind blows in so many angles. Most fans wanted to see the Peyton Manning versus Ben Roethlisberger match up all year, but the Broncos will be ready with a reliable back up that can play, Osweiler has to come out and establish timing with his receivers. The past two weeks he’s looked less than stellar under center. Different looks on defense has made him audible from the run to pass. When he is lost he needs to hand the ball to Ronnie Hillman and C. J. Anderson to keep the Steelers defense off balanced.
Broncos Defense
The Bronco defense hasn’t given up a 300-yard passing game this season. They held NFL top passers such as: Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards passing, Joe Flacco to 117 yards and Derek Carr to 135 yards. The Broncos have surrendered only nine pass plays of more than 30 yards this season. Aqib Talib covers the big named receivers on the other team. He has shut down everyone he’s faced this year. Pittsburgh’s receivers Antonio Bryant, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are a dynamic trio in any section on the field. This game will feature the explosive players on the Steelers offense versus Pro Bowl defensive backs Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Jr. Expect cornerback Bradley Roby to cover the slot receiver. The Bronco defense is ranked number 1 in every defensive category in the league. “I am excited,” Talib said. … “Three receivers, three corners, good quarterback, good rush .. That’s the kind of game you want to be in man”.
My Prediction
This will be a close game. It will come down to the 4th quarter with the victor establishing the run. Brock Osweiler has to play smart, but aggressive in the passing game. The Broncos defense will cut off the big play tendencies of the Steelers receiving corp. Final score: Broncos 28 – Steelers 21
