The unstoppable force meets the immovable object when the Steelers host the Broncos. Pittsburgh’s explosive offense has strung together five straight games of at least 30 points with a trio of receivers doing plenty of damage. Denver has not allowed an opponent to score 30 points or throw for 300 yards in a game.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5
Denver Broncos +6.5
Over/Under 45
ODDS ANALYSIS
Pittsburgh has been on a roll going 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS thanks to an offense that’s produced 35.2 points per game. The over is also 4-1 in that stretch. The Broncos suffered their first loss with Brock Osweiler at quarterback last week, losing outright to Oakland as a 6-point favorite. They are 2-2 ATS in his starts. The total dropped to 44.5.
KEY INJURIES
Danny Trevathan – Missed last week’s game with a concussion and has yet to clear the league’s protocol. Todd Davis made the start in his place at inside linebacker last week against the Raiders.
Mike Mitchell – Sustained a shoulder injury last week against Cincinnati and was held out of practice. Shamarko Thomas would be next in line if Mitchell is unable to extend his streak of 43 consecutive games played.
KEY MISMATCH
Denver is by far the best defensive team in the NFL. The Broncos have the top-rated unit in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense, and they’re third in rush defense. Even though the Broncos are the best team in the league at defending the pass, the Steelers should play to their strength and try to throw the ball around with Ben Roethlisberger, who’s playing as well as he ever has, and his fantastic trio of wideouts. Denver has silenced the best aerial attacks in the game with excellent secondary play and a strong pass rush. The Broncos lead the NFL with 44 sacks and expect a bigger contribution from DeMarcus Ware, who played just 15 snaps last week against Oakland in his first game back from an injury. Ware has 6.5 sacks on the season while Von Miller is eighth in the league with 10. Denver has not allowed a 300-yard passing game this season, and held Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards passing, Joe Flacco to 117, and Derek Carr to 135. All told the Broncos have surrendered just 22 pass plays of at least 25 yards and just nine pass playoffs more than 30 yards.
KEY STAT
17.3 – Denver’s points per game allowed. The Broncos lead the NFL in scoring defense and face a Pittsburgh team that’s averaged 35.2 points in its last five games.
BETTING ANGLE
Osweiler has started four games for the Broncos, and while two of those games were road contests, they really weren’t on the road. His first start was in Chicago where the fans are not themselves with the Bears having spent much of the season under the .500 mark. His second start came in San Diego, where Broncos fans filled up well over half of Qualcomm Stadium. Chargers fans were as eager to sell their tickets as Broncos fans were to buy them. But Sunday will be another story entirely as the Broncos will play in front of the towel-waving faithful dressed in black and gold. The Steelers are 8-5 with five of those wins coming at Heinz Field. They have scored at least 30 points in four of their home games, including each of the last three – all wins.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
All eyes will be focused on Pittsburgh’s offense facing Denver’s defense, as well they should be in a fun matchup. But this game will be decided when the Broncos have the football. Osweiler and the Denver O struggled against the Raiders last week and face a much stiffer test against the Steelers. Osweiler didn’t lose the game last week, though he did take a safety and get sacked five times, but he didn’t do enough to win it. It wasn’t all his fault, though. The run game was non-existent without C.J. Anderson and the protection was poor. Denver held Oakland to 126 total yards and eight first downs last week, but Derek Carr hit on two big touchdown passes and that was it. The Broncos might slow Roethlisberger and his crew, but they won’t stop him. A few big plays to his receivers will be all the Steelers need to keep pace in the AFC playoff race.
Pittsburgh 24, Denver 20
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