NFL Predictions: Steelers vs. Broncos Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Sunday, 08 January 2012 17:26

NFL predictions are ready in time for kickoff of the playoff game between the Broncos and the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) hit the road for an NFL Playoff game against the Denver Broncos (8-8) on Sunday, and our predictions will try to preview what to expect.  Start time of the Steelers vs. Broncos game is set for 4:30 PM ET and you can catch the action live on the CBS channel.

2009 marks the last meeting between these teams, and the Steelers went into Denver to beat the Broncos 28-10 as 3-point favorites.  This time around the Steelers are an 8-point favorite at Legends Sportsbook, while the total sits low at just 34.  Denver hasn’t covered a point spread in 4 straight games, while Pittsburgh has also been a bad wager with only 1 cover of the spread over their last 4.

Steelers’ Offense vs. Broncos’ Defense:

Pittsburgh has shown a nice balance of the run and the pass, but will be without running back Rashard Mendenhall after the former Illinois standout was lost for the season after tearing his ACL in week 17.  Center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) is also out, while linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) looks set to return.  The Steelers have struggled on offense a bit lately and will be going up against a Bronco defense that is allowing 24.4 points per game on the season while not excelling at either defensive facet.

Broncos’ Offense vs. Steelers’ Defense:

Quarterback Tim Tebow (1729 yards, 46.5%, 12 TD, 6 INT) has fallen apart in recent weeks, but Denver still has one of the elite rushing attacks in the NFL.  The problem they’ll run into is that Pittsburgh’s defense is one of the best in the game at stopping the run, allowing only 99.8 rushing yards per game.  The Broncos will need Tebow to throw the ball well if they want to move the chains consistently, and it’s tough to expect that to happen given how often he’s turned the ball over during the Broncos’ 3-game losing streak.

Steelers vs. Broncos Predictions:

Home field advantage will definitely help out the Broncos, but it feels like their offense has finally been figured out.  I don’t expect either offense to score a ton of points here, but the Steelers could get some defensive touchdowns if Tebow isn’t careful.  Pittsburgh won’t win as easily as the NFL odds seem to indicate, but their experience and defense will be enough to get them the victory.  Predictions in this one are tough but I think Denver’s running game and home field will be enough for them to keep it within the point spread.

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Steelers 17

Broncos 13