2007 Steelers - Week #7 Denver Broncos

Last Weeks Result

• Bye Week
• Record: 4-1
• Standings: Sole possession of 1st in AFC North

Game Preview: Denver Broncos

When I looked at the schedule this year, I had placed the game at Denver as a catagory 4, or in other words as one of the tougher match-ups for the Steelers this year. Coming into this game at 2-3, the Broncos don’t look near as daunting as what I imagined. While their losses have been to good teams (Jacksonville, Indianapolis and San Diego), their wins have been come against mediocre teams and they have been extremely close.

While this may not be the level of match up that I originally predicted at the first of the season, I don’t think that the Steelers should underestimate the Broncos, especially at Mile High Stadium. I think that the Broncos are backed into a corner right now and I expect them to be well prepared for this game coming off of a bye. Mike Shanahan has always come off a bye-week well and after being demolished at home by the Chargers, this is going to be a Broncos team desperate to rid themselves of the bitter taste of that defeat. In addition, for whatever reason, the Steelers seem to struggle with the Broncos. The Broncos lead the series 12-6-1 and recently have won 4 of the last 5 games.

At first glance, this looks like a game where the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to run the ball at will. The Broncos are dead last in stopping the run, while the Steelers have one of the better running games in the league. However, as seen the last two weeks, I think that the coaches need to be prepared for the Broncos to stack the box in an effort to stop the run. There is a theory that seems to be promoted by many analysts that Ben can not beat teams and that the Steelers need to be able to run the ball in order to pass effectively. I just hope that opposing coaches listen to these analysts. People that actually watch the games realize that this is not the case at all. More often than not as of late, the running game struggles in the early part of the game. It is only after the running lanes are unclogged by successful passing that the running game starts to find room. The Steelers are becoming a well balanced offense in that not only can the run set up the pass, but the pass can set up the run.

Defense in the NFL begins with the ability to stop the run and that is precisely what I expect the Broncos to do. I believe the Steelers can and will beat this by play-action passing and involving the tight-ends in the passing game. The play calling has to be mixed so that the Broncos have reason to bite on the play-action. But in order to move the ball early on, I think the passing game is going to have to get on track first. Both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are back from injury, so the passing game should be at full strength. If the offensive line can give Ben time, I have confidence that these wide receivers can get open, even against the top rate secondary that the Broncos bring to the field.

The Broncos have always had a consistent power running game regardless of who is lined up in the backfield. Conversely, the Steelers have been fairly sturdy against the run, without stacking the line of scrimmage. The Steelers 3-4 defense is particularly effective against the run due to the solid defensive line play. The 3 down linemen can generally engage the offensive line, leaving the four linebackers free to flow to clog up the running lanes. I think that the Broncos will be looking to establish a running game in order to set up their passing game. Therefore, it is important for the Steelers to control the running game early on.

Against Seattle, the Steeler defense looked very different from what I have come to expect, in that there was little if any blitzing. This scheme was perfect and allowed the Steelers defense to pitch a shut-out. I think against Jay Cutler, the defense should mix it up a little more. Against a less experienced quarterback, the blitz, especially the disguised Blitz can be very effective in getting to the quarterback or forcing him into a bad throw. I am really intrigued to see what the coaches come up with this week. Both teams are coming off of a bye, which means the coaching staffs have both had extra time to prepare. Mike Shanahan brings a ton of coaching experience to the table and I expect to see a well prepared game plan that will put the Broncos in the best position to win.

With that being said, I hope that Mike Tomlin is able to match wits with Shanahan and have his team properly prepared. Tomlin has been outstanding in allowing his coordinators to do their thing and I am confident that the Steelers will bring their best game to Invesco Field. I think the Steelers have the momentum and the right amount of confidence to come out of here with the win. It has nothing to do with disrespecting what Denver brings to the table. It has more to do with the Steelers frame of mind.

Final Score Prediction

Pittsburgh 31

Denver 17