The last time the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers met, the vaunted Denver defense saw a 14-point halftime lead evaporate at the hands of one of the league’s best passing offenses. Expect this Broncos and Steelers game to be different, and not just because it’s a playoff game.
Denver Post Broncos beat writer, Nicki Jhabvala joined Gil Whitely on Mile High Sports AM 1340 on Monday to discuss what the Broncos might be planning against the Steelers and how injuries could change Denver’s plan of attack for the upcoming game.
While no football team (openly) wishes injury upon opposing players, the Broncos might be considering themselves quite lucky going into their Divisional Round playoff game against Pittsburgh this Sunday. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown both suffered injuries during their Wild Card playoff game this past Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I’m much more confident with Ben Roethlisberger hurt and Antonio Brown possibly hurt too,” Jhabvala said. At the end of the third quarter on Saturday, Roethlisberger was carted off the field with an apparent shoulder injury, Brown, who was injured late in the fourth quarter, walked off with the field with assistance with a possible concussion.
Roethlisberger did return to the game and both players are reportedly day-to-day and showing positive signs. Considering he threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns the last time he faced Denver, a hurt Roethlisberger is by far better than a healthy one for any Broncos fan.
In fact, the Broncos vs Steelers game from Dec. 20, is still a sore subject for not just fans, but the Broncos as well. Brock Osweiler came into the game hot, throwing for three touchdowns in the first half and propelling the Broncos to a 27-13 lead at halftime. But during the second half, things spun out of control (and fast). The Steelers went for three more touchdowns, including two to Brown, eventually winning the game 27-34. “The players, even (Gary) Kubiak, had no explanation for how that happened,” Jhabvala reported.
Regardless of whether Roethlisberger and Brown play, expect the Broncos to come out flying. “You know they just feed off it,” Jhabvala said in reference to having the last Broncos-Steelers game still fresh in their minds.
And while the Steelers are nursing injuries from a tough Wild Card win, the Broncos are getting healthier. Denver used its bye week to recuperate and heal on both sides of the ball. They are nearing full strength, which also has their confidence high.
Expect this outcome to be very different than the one in Pittsburgh on Dec. 20.
For the full discussion, plus a quick look at the entire Wild Card weekend, listen to the podcast below…
Catch Gil Whiteley every weekday from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.
