It’s mid-point of the season and the stretch to the Super Bowl begins. Â This week, the Steelers should be healthy and rested coming off their bye week, but let’s hope that they all sat in front of their TVs this past Sunday and watched the Ravens whoop the Broncos – all while taking good notes.
The Ravens defense shut down Kyle Orton and crew. Â The Broncos averaged just 3.4 yards per play and Orton completed 23 of 37 passes for 152 yards. Â The Ravens defense wasn’t playing around. Â The front four applied consistent pressure to the pocket forcing Orton to dump the ball more often than not. Â They also had solid coverage in the secondary which didn’t allow Orton to air it out – even if he had the time. Â The Steelers defense, ahem, yes you, need to do a similar job. Â This game was all defense – neither team did anything spectacular offensively.
In this respect, while the Broncos have the upper hand when it comes to altitude, the Steelers have a more solid and experienced offense which, if both the offense AND the defense show up Monday night could result in the Broncos second loss of the season. Â I’ll keep my fingers crossed anyway.
The third piece of the puzzle, and one I haven’t much addressed so far, special teams. Â Eddie Royal is one of the best kick returners in the league and the Steelers have not shown a lot of strength shutting down that aspect of the game.
The keys for this game are that everyone is healthy and comes to play with that kick-butt attitude ready. Â That attitude was there for the Minnesota game. Â It needs to be in full force for the Broncos as well.
My prediction:
Denver 17 Pittsburgh 28
(PS – I hope we kick their butts just for wearing these ugly uniforms. They should have never been resurrected. And if they play in them Monday night, I might gag a little from the clashing of uniforms.)
(PSS – Josh McDaniels is still in my top 3 hottie AFC Coaches. Â But no worries, Tomlin is #1)
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I too think the Steelers will get all in those Broncos on Monday. However, with the Broncos being handled by the Ravens like that, I believe they will play us closer than people think.
And with Polamalu slowly getting back to speed, and Clark more than likely out for Monday, if our blitz doesn’t hit Orton in the mouth he’ll pick on our 20+ yard pass coverage.
I think this game Woodley and Timmons need to be unleashed…it’ll be fun to watch! Go Stillers!