VS 
Denver will host the defending Super Bowl champs this Monday night after an embarrassing effort in Baltimore. Denver is 6-1 on the season after a 30-7 loss to the Ravens while Pittsburgh comes in fresh off of their bye week at 5-2. Pittsburgh is a lot like the Ravens in many aspects, and Denver better be ready for a fight.
Denver heads into the game ranked 1st overall in team defense in the NFL (3rd against the run and 8th against the pass). Pittsburgh is ranked 8th overall in team defense (1st against the run and 16th against the pass).
Denver is currently ranked 14th in the league in total offense (16th in passing and 11th in rushing) while the Steelers are sitting at 6th (5th in passing and 19th in rushing).
I hate this game, I really do. They have some extra rest while we just drug our butts from behind the shed. This game is going to have so many intangibles it is not funny. I said earlier that the Steelers are a lot like the Ravens and defensively, they are nearly identical. Offensively, the Steelers pose a tough passing game but really lack the offensive line for a great running game although they can get it done. Again, this game just scares me.
I hate saying this but the thing I am most concerned about on Monday is Big Ben. He has been lights out good this season so far and is really keeping their offense rolling which he basically has to without a consistent running game. The offense can do the same damage that the Ravens did to Denver last week if they are running on all cylinders. The one question I have is their offensive line. Combine that with Ben holding onto the ball for a very long time and it could be good for Denver, but it is dicey. He is able to beat the defense with smart reads and good throws, the extra time just increases that.
Defensively Pittsburgh will bring the pain, guaranteed. They get Polamalu back this week as well, which makes them deadly in the secondary. Denver found out last week what a hard hitting safety can mean to the other team and they will face that test again this week. The front 7 for the Steelers is also formidable and will bring a lot of pressure on Orton. The Steelers can very easily dictate the tempo of the game and force some turnovers if the Broncos don’t take a page from last week and game plan better. For the Steelers to win, they will need to keep the tempo in their favor, minimize turnovers and keep pressure on the Bronco offensive line.
Have I mentioned that I hate this game?
Denver, on the other hand, isn’t entirely without a chance even though it seems like an uphill battle. They are facing a tough team who is favored by 3 and they are without their starting right tackle, Ryan Harris.
All of that said, Denver is playing well at home and the Steelers are not as dominant on the road with a 1-2 record so far this season. Combine that with Kyle Orton’s impressive 18-2 record as a starter when playing at home and it may be a better game than most are thinking. Denver was miserable last week in nearly every phase of the game although the defense certainly did enough for the most part to allow them to win. With the Ravens playing no huddle and getting some bonus points in the form of a return for a score, it just became overwhelming. Let’s face it, Denver is not built to make enormous comebacks every week.
Denver can win this game if they do a few things right. They have to start with solid blocking, bottom line. If Orton is not given time to read the defense and make a throw down field, he can never keep the defense honest. We all saw what an entire game of screens and dump offs got them. Second, Denver has to establish a running attack. Without that balance, it is too easy to just rush Orton and dare the Broncos into anything else. Third, and probably most important, Denver has to win the turnover battle. Interceptions have not been much of an issue but the fumbles have. Denver must hold onto the ball, bottom line. Fourth, Denver has to avoid putting themselves into third and long situations. This happened way too often against Baltimore but has been somewhat of an issue all season in spots. Denver also has to tighten up on special teams. They have surrendered 2 scores in back to back games by kickoff return and they won’t survive by giving away scores like that. Finally, they MUST get pressure and some sacks on Roethlisberger. Last week, Joe Flacco had all day to throw and it opened up the entire offense for the Ravens. The Broncos cannot afford that this week and expect to win against a smart and very physical team. If they can get pressure on Big Ben and keep the run defense as solid as it has been, they have a chance.
Let’s not discount one major thing that Denver has to feed off of this week. They were spanked last week and are returning to their home field to redeem themselves. If Denver can feed off of the energy of both of those factors, it is going to be a tough game. I can guarantee one thing, Brian Dawkins is going to be a maniac on Monday and out to punish someone.
It is probably a good thing that Denver gets to play another tough team one after another to avoid a major let down. Through some solid planning and preparation, I think they have a very good chance at upsetting the Steelers. I am however staying true to my predictions despite my love for this team and am calling a Steeler victory by a final score of 24 – 17.
Oh and PS, I will not be betting on anything this week 
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