NFL Divisional Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers +7.5 @ Denver Broncos 41 It is tough to imagine Ben Roethlisberger in the playoffs at Peyton Manning having much less luster than this game but here we are. The craziest, but most important question will be how far can these guys throw it. We haven't really seen Manning throw deep in about seven weeks, and even when we did it wasn't effective. On the other side, Roethlisberger decided to tell people that his shoulder was not only separated, it had torn ligaments in it. He will play through it, but he will be fine and there are a few reports that he tested out his distance and it looked good. Still, the biggest factor is that the Steelers are without Antonio Brown. These two teams met in week 15 in Pittsburgh, Brown 16 catches for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns, mainly on Chris Harris who is having a tremendous year. It clearly was the game changing performance in a one score win, and it makes it tough to see a Steeler offense, with a weak quarterback, and a lost receiver, not to mention week two of no running back, and having offense. Denver has arguably the best defense in the NFL this season, and it about as healthy as it can be. The biggest matchup in this game will be the Broncos front seven against the Steelers offensive line. The Steelers offensive line is also missing two starters, but really is one of the better lines in the NFL and features an All-Pro in David DeCastro. The Broncos have their own All-Pro in Von Miller and his matchup with Marcus Gilbert will be the key to getting Roethlisberger enough time to make plays. It seems hard to imagine Peyton Manning blowing out a team at this point, and while it is just as tough to predict an outright Steeler win, it seems tough to pass up 7.5. As for the total, the under would be in play here. You would have to assume both teams are going to go as conservative as possible, and neither will be afraid to run the ball. It makes me think the under is in play, and I would look for that in this situation. Steelers +7.5, Under 41
