When the Denver Broncos gave up a 17-point lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, earning them their fourth loss of the season, things looked to have hit a new low in Denver, Colorado. Not only was it their second loss in a row, but it placed the Broncos in a position where they could very realistically fall out of the playoffs altogether.
A month later, the Broncos have rebounded, they’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC and they have an opportunity to redeem themselves against the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers.
Luckily, there’s reason to believe that this time around, things will be different. For one, the game is in Denver, which should make Ben Roethlisberger‘s job a whole lot more difficult. And on that note, there’s a major question as to just how effective Big Ben will be. After suffering a shoulder injury against the Bengals last weekend, there’s a significant possibility that Big Ben will be far from 100 percent, as could Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams.
For the Broncos, though, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they’re playing for a shot at the AFC Championship game.
Here’s what they had to say on their rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Gary Kubiak on if it helps that they played the Steelers so recently:
“I’m sure it’s that way for both of us because we prepared for each other—what, four weeks ago, three or four weeks ago? Anytime you prepare for somebody in this league, you’re very thorough in all phases. We’ve each played two or three games since then, so you take that information, you get some new information over the course of the last few weeks and get ready to play.”
Kubiak on the team’s reaction to facing Pittsburgh:
“In this league, you’re just glad to be in the position to have a shot at this time of year because it’s hard to get there. We obviously worked really hard to get to where we’re at and we know we have a big test this week. That game was crazy. It was a tale of two halves for both teams. We played well as a team in the first half. They dominated the second half. This time of year, if you’re going to win, you’re going to have to play great regardless of who you play. We understand that.”
Malik Jackson on facing Pittsburgh:
“Of course we want to avenge our loss, but it’s the playoffs now. It’s not regular season. We just have to go out there, be smart and do what we know how to do, play within ourselves and our defense. We just can’t go out there and make dumb penalties.”
Bradley Roby on the advantages of having just played Pittsburgh:
“You have the game plan kind of fresh in your mind. You kind of remember what they kind of like to do in certain situations and things like that. It’s definitely good that we just played them.”
Roby on if there’s added motivation playing Pittsburgh:
“It’s a playoff game and whoever loses goes home, so I think that’s enough. It’s a lot of competitors, a lot of tough competitors on each team that really compete at the highest level. When you have guys on each team that are elite players that compete at a high level, then it’s going to be chippy, of course.”
Darian Stewart on if he’s happy to have a second shot at Pittsburgh:
“It’s a playoff game and we know what happened last time. We definitely remember it, of course. We just have to go out there with our A-game and just be ready to compete. It’s going to be best against best again. We’ll have full strength. We’ll have to limit their yards.”
Stewart on knowing they were facing Pittsburgh:
“I was happy, but it really didn’t matter who it was. I think we were ready for whoever. Now that we get a chance to play them, it’s going to be a good one. We get a chance to go redeem ourselves.”
Aqib Talib on if he’s excited to play Pittsburgh again:
“Definitely. We feel like we let them get back in the game. They came back on us, so we’re all looking forward to seeing them again.”
Talib on if there’s extra motivation to play the Steelers:
“Divisional round in the playoffs. Finished business—we could have beat them—and we still would be the same way to see them again right now. It’s the divisional round of the playoffs. You don’t need too much motivation. If that ring isn’t enough motivation for you then you’re in the wrong business.”
Talib on why this game will be different:
“It’s a lot of stuff that’s different. It’s 70,000 on our side this time. They’ve got guys banged up. We’re a little bit healthier, so it’s a lot of stuff that’s different this time. It will be a good one.”
