Steelers-Broncos: Follow in the Ravens’ Footsteps for Once

It’s usually unthinkable for the Steelers to follow in the footsteps of rival Baltimore.

But, just this once, it’s imperative that the Steelers do just that.

Are the Steelers a better team than the Ravens? Statistics aside, the Steelers have a much better defensive front than Baltimore and also have a more cohesive secondary.  Offensively, the team is also much more consistent, with the Steelers possessing better threats in the passing game.

But the Steelers will now face another tough test, coming off their bye to face the surprising but suddenly human Denver Broncos on the road.

Denver is human because Baltimore figured out how to finally solve the mystery that had allowed the Broncos to dominate opponents through the first six games.

Now Pittsburgh must take the Ravens’ gameplan and execute it just as effectively.

Here’s a look at how Pittsburgh can improve to 6-2 and firmly assert itself once again as a threat in the AFC:

 

On Offense

The Broncos had trouble with Ray Rice, a tough inside runner who has the speed and explosiveness to hit the hole fast and run past tacklers. Rice never stops his feet from moving, allowing him to gain a few extra yards when he’s not wrapped up low.

Rashard Mendenhall is the same type of runner. Hopefully, the Steelers have sorted out Mendenhall’s fumbling problems. If that is the case, he could be in for a big game against Denver.

The Broncos will have to respect Ben Roethlisberger‘s passing game, so look for them to load up in the secondary to prevent big plays, particularly over the middle to Mike Wallace and Heath Miller. That should open up some running lanes early for Mendenhall, which should in turn open up the play action passing game at which Roethlisberger is so effective.

The Steelers like to execute screen passes. The Broncos have defended these well during the season, but if Roethlisberger can complete a few long strikes downfield, look for the Steelers to utilize the space created by running screens and slants.

Heath Miller could be in for a big game a week after Denver let Todd Heap get loose several times in the middle of the field.

The biggest task for the Steelers will be playing mistake-free football, particularly in the second half. Denver has forced seven second half turnovers this season.

 

On Defense

The Ravens finally found a solution to the Bronco offense, bottling up Kyle Orton’s passing game. 

The Broncos and Orton do not throw deep. Orton has fewer than 20 passes on the season that totalled more than 20 yards. There’s no need to play two deep safeties or to back the corners into deep zones.

The best thing to do is to use William Gay and Ike Taylor to keep the Bronco’s receiving threats (Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal) in front of the defense. Dropping their free safety deep (likely Tyrone Carter with Ryan Clark not playing because of a medical condition), that leaves Troy Polamalu and the linebackers to come up in pressure and alternately to drop into coverage to take away tight end Tony Scheffler in the middle.

The Broncos run the ball well, but the Steelers know how to bottle up rushing attacks. I would say that if they can make the Broncos beat them with their passing game, that they will have little trouble dispatching them. 

The two keys for the Steelers’ defense will be to pressure Orton and to keep the receivers in front of their secondary. Orton doesn’t have the arm for deep throws and won’t escape the pocket very often. 

 

On Special Teams

The Steelers have allowed two touchdowns this season on returns. That has to stop. I’d point to it being a tackling problem, something that shouldn’t happen on a team that utilizes so many sure-handed players on their coverage units.

Jeff Reed should have a nice time kicking in kicker-friendly Denver. Daniel Sepulveda might be even more devastating a weapon with the lighter air. 

If the Steelers can neutralize Eddie Royal in the return game, they have a chance to have a nice day on special teams.

The Broncos allowed the second half kickoff to be returned by Baltimore, so Stefan Logan should have some space to operate. Logan will benefit from taking a more north-south approach on his returns rather than trying to cut back across the field. His speed is his best weapon.

 

Predictions

Based upon the way the Steelers handled the two-pronged attack of the Minnesota Vikings as well as the way the Steelers’ personnel matches up with the Ravens’, I would say that the Steelers could repeat the beating that Denver received yesterday at the hands of the Ravens.

Look for big days by Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Roethlisberger on offense as well as Troy Polamalu, who should be rested and much more effective, and perhaps Lamarr Woodley on defense.

This might also be the week where Stefan Logan breaks loose on a return.

Steelers 38, Broncos 17

 

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