It might be the last playoff run for Peyton Manning, who will start for the top-seeded Broncos on Sunday.
After a brutal Wild Card game, does Pittsburgh have anything left in the tank? The Steelers could be without their starting quarterback and top receiver when they go against the NFL's top defensive club.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Denver Broncos N/A
Pittsburgh Steelers N/A
Over/Under N/A
ODDS ANALYSIS
The health of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a big factor ahead of this game and no line or total has been posted on BookMaker as of this writing. Denver would be favored by a field goal, at least, even if Big Ben was healthy. That number jumps a few more points if he's ruled out.
KEY INJURIES
Ben Roethlisberger - Injured his shoulder in Saturday's game and was carted off the field to be examined in the locker room. He returned to the game and led the Steelers on a game-winning field goal drive but did not attempt any passes of length, leaving many to wonder about the seriousness of his injury. He is listed as day-to-day ahead of Sunday's matchup. Landry Jones filled in for a few series against the Bengals. If Big Ben can't go, expect Michael Vick to be active.
Antonio Brown - Entered the concussion protocol after taking a vicious hit on the Steelers' game-winning drive against the Bengals. Markus Wheaton could see a larger role in the offense if Brown is unable to go.
Brandon Marshall - Sustained a high ankle sprain Dec. 28 against the Bengals. Denver's linebacker started the season finale but took himself out of the game after three plays because the discomfort was too great to overcome. He is listed as doubtful and would likely be replaced by Todd Davis.
KEY MISMATCH
The Broncos certainly know the trouble spots with the Steelers. Roethlisberger, with 380 yards passing, was the only quarterback the Broncos faced this season who topped 300 yards passing, and Brown torched the Denver defense for 189 yards receiving in Pittsburgh's Dec. 20 win. Before halftime, though, the Broncos had dominated. Brock Osweiler had 214 yards passing to go with three touchdowns and the Broncos rolled up 295 yards. They know their plan works, or at least has worked, in facing a Steelers' secondary that has its questions. If the Broncos can protect Manning, he should find some room to work against a Steelers defense that - despite finishing third in the league in sacks - was 30th against the pass, having allowed 271.9 passing yards per game. Also, the Steelers wild card win over Cincy came at a high price with Roethlisberger sustaining an injury to his throwing shoulder and Brown was helped off the field in the final seconds with an apparent concussion.
KEY STAT
18.5 - Denver's points per game allowed. The Broncos had the fourth-best scoring defense during the regular season and take on the Steelers, who could be without Roethlisberger and Brown. Denver allowed a season-high 34 points to Pittsburgh when the teams met on Dec. 20 at Heinz Field.
BETTING ANGLE
Because of their trials on offense, including injuries in the offensive line and Manning's left foot injury to go with an occasional troublesome run game, the Broncos have played in the kind of grind-it-out games people are usually forced to play in the postseason. The Broncos were 9-3 in games decided by seven or fewer points this season and defeated five teams that are in this year's playoff field, including three division winners - the Bengals, Vikings and Patriots. Two of those wins, over Cincinnati and New England, also came in overtime.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Huge question marks at quarterback for both teams puts this one in line to be decided by the defenses. Pittsburgh obliterated the NFL's best defense with a 34-27 win in Week 15, but with Roethlisberger and Brown getting hurt Saturday in Cincinnati, the Steelers offense certainly won't be the same. Remember too, DeAngelo Williams is still hobbled by a bum wheel and is questionable, leaving the Steelers run game in the hands of Fitz Toussaint and Jordan Todman. Conditions forced a heavy dose of run plays and the pair played well at Cincinnati. Things will be different against Denver's third-ranked rush defense. Denver used the bye week to get several defensive players ready for the playoff push. Linebacker Demarcus Ware and defensive backs Darian Stewart and Chris Harris are likely to play, bolstering a unit that allowed just 283 total yards and 18.5 points. The Broncos learned their lesson from a Week 15 meltdown and won't let the same thing happen again.
Denver 27, Pittsburgh 13
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