Steeler Nation, join us the writers of NPC for a live chat during tonight’s game of the Steelers vs the Broncos.  Just scroll down to the comments section and tell us what you think during the game.  The comments will update in real time and no need to refresh.  Enjoy the game and be sure to join in on the fun.

Heath Miller and Ben Roethlisberger will frustrate the Broncos defense as they dissect the weak middle of the Broncos defense. Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

It’s safe to say that Steelers v Broncos is probably one of the games this week across the NFL where the outcome is loaded with uncertainties.  How will Peyton Manning size up against the Steeler defense in his first game back since 2010?  How will the aging (and slightly beat up) defense fair against a potentially explosive quarterback in Manning?  Will Mike Wallace be ready after his long hold out?  Will Pittsburgh’s offensive line scrap together enough blocks to keep Ben Roethlisberger from losing his head?  Is this a redemption game?  Oh yeah, who wins?

Both teams have yet to be fully tested prior to the opening week.  Both teams are still trying to fine tune their defenses after the installation of new and the injuries of veterans have left both teams jockeying around their rosters.  The Steelers will use multiple running backs on Sunday because of multiple injuries throughout the running back roster.  The Broncos offense, even with a promising showing by Peyton against the 49′ers, is still a bit in question.  So who gets everything to click enough to take home the victory?

Steelers Offense v Broncos Defense

Todd Haley’s offense will come out in full force this Sunday against the Broncos.  No more ‘vanilla.’  Expect that offense to consist of a balance between the run and quick passes to ease the pressure off the offensive line.  There will come a turning point in the middle of the first half where I think Haley will begin to shift his focus on the middle of the field.  Heath Miller, Leonard Pope, Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders will become very important at that point.  The Broncos will be forced to keep linebackers in the middle of the field and pinch in the safeties in order to contain the TE’s and any wide outs performing crossing routes.  That will lead to one of two things: 1) A big play across the middle as the Broncos zone tries to defend potentially three to four receivers exchanging positions across the middle or 2) A big play down the sidelines as Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter will be forced into one on one coverage.  Will both be able to contain Wallace AND Brown every time there’s one on one?  Doubtful.  Those Bronco sub-packages will take a toll on the defense, and the Steelers should be able to capitalize on those opportunities.

Expect the Steelers to work on time of possession to keep the ball out of Peyton’s hands and make the most of their possessions.  That offensive line?  It’s not like the Steelers haven’t dealt with crisis at the line before.  In fact, they aren’t really in dire straights.  Gilbert, Foster, Pouncey, Colon and Starks are a decent combination and should contain ‘just enough’ for Big Ben to make some key throws down the field.

Steelers Defense v Broncos Offense

Redemption?  Far from it.  But, the Steelers defense will certainly be placing an emphasis on stopping the Broncos offense early and often.  The Broncos and their Peyton Manning offense will look more like the Indianapolis Colts of 2009 as they use three wide receiver sets and no huddle play calling often.  Manning may be on a new team, but it’s still his offense.  This could pose a challenge to the Steelers in the mile high altitude.  Ryan Clark is out because of his sickle cell condition, which means Ryan Mundy will fill the Free Safety position.  James Harrison is being ruled out and numerous players on the defensive line and linebacker spots are injured in some form or another.  This looks like a recipe for a disastrous outcome – but don’t be fooled by the injury list.

The Steelers will blitz early and often, and LeBeau will put every wrinkle in he can to disguise those schemes.  As the Steelers have proven in other contests with Peyton – get enough pressure in the pocket and Peyton struggles.  Backup LB Chris Carter has performed beautifully during the preseason while James Harrison recovered from his injury.  LaMarr Woodley also appears to be back in his Pro Bowl form.  Those two will be key in the success of this defense.  The Steelers will rely heavily on the outside blitzes and Carter’s and Woodley’s ability to put pressure on Manning.  That will set the tone to open up blitzing for the inside as the Broncos offensive line will try and get extra protection to the outsides.  The Broncos will also need to commit Willis McGahee for pass protection, thus taking him out of the running back screen game.  The No. 1 pass defense from last season will look to continue its strong performance with Ike Taylor and Keenan Lewis covering Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas.  And what happens if the Broncos go to three wide?  The Steelers and Steeler Nation should feel a bit more at ease with Cortez Allen having a very solid preseason as the nickel back and being named the starter early on.  They will all be tested often by the arm of Manning, but I expect them to keep that in check for the majority of the game.  And what about Troy Polamalu?  Expect him to be all over the field as usual as the ‘X Back’ on just about every play.  He’ll blitz from the middle, he’ll blitz from the edge, he’ll drop back and help Lewis or Taylor.  Polamalu participated in OTA’s and the other mini’s this season when he usually doesn’t.  It wasn’t like Troy really needed the conditioning, but there does appear to be a bit of extra spring in his step this year – which could have resulted from the extra preparation.  The Steelers coaching staff said they were upset over the lack of splash plays from the defense last season and that it would become a focus this year.  Peyton has been known to force a pass or two and the Steelers will jump on those opportunities.

Outcome

This will be far from a lopsided contest.  In fact it should be the best game all week in the NFL – lucky it’s on primetime.  Both offenses will find their way into the endzone a couple of times, but not without some bumps along the way.  The game will stay close until the Pittsburgh D smothers the Bronco offense for good in the 4th quarter.  The Broncos weak middle on defense and the Steeler’s execution over the middle and deep will prove too much for the Broncos to overcome.  The Steelers defense will frustrate Peyton’s return to the ring, and will get a turnover or two as a result.

Final score: Steelers 27    Broncos 17

Guard David DeCastro looked primed to contribute and do some nice things during his Rookie season, but his knee injury should keep him out for a significant amount this year.  But since they do not cancel games, the Steelers were forced to play some “roster Tetris” and start the music for some “Offensive Line Musical Chairs” for the umpteenth time in the last few seasons.  Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they will be facing likely their toughest A.F.C. pass-rushing foe this week in the form of the Denver Broncos.

I believe I have stated it before, but Denver recorded 41.0 Sacks last season.  For those of you scoring at home, 41.0 was ranked Tied for 10th in the League last season and 4th in the Conference as well.  “Gunslingin’” Dumervil and Von Miller have usurped James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley (at least in my opinion) as the most dynamic pass rushing duo in the A.F.C., and will be hungry to start the season off right.  Furthermore, Denver drafted the talented Derek Wolfe out of Cincinnati in April, and he can do some damage from a pass-rushing perspective also.  And although Denver’s top pass-rushing Linebacker from 2011, D.J. Williams (5.0), will be forced to sit this weekend, the Broncos should have more than enough fire-power along their Line to create some havoc and make life difficult for Big Ben this weekend.

This Offensive Line has been beset by injuries and poor play over the last half decade (2007-2011), and when you combine that with the fact that Roethlisberger is fond of extending plays, the Sack numbers which have accumulated over the years have been a bit ridiculous.  Steelers Quarterbacks, with Ben taking most of the beatings, have hit the dirt 231 times over the last 5 seasons which averages out to just over 46.0 Sacks per year.  Denver got to Big Ben 5 times in the Wild Card Game and I am sure new Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio is well aware of that fact.  Granted, Ben was pretty much playing that game on one foot, but Denver was collapsing the pocket on a consistent basis with Miller and Dumervil doing much of the damage.

Hopefully there will be more happiness caused by the Line than sadness. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE

Are There Ways to Help Offensive Line?

The biggest way to help Big Ben avoid hits will of course be some productivity in the running game, an area which the Steelers had some success against the Broncos last season.  Isaac Redman went over 100 Yards on the ground, and with Jonathan Dwyer primed for a solid campaign, plus Rookie speedster Chris Rainey available, the Steelers do have some options to attack a run Defense which ranked 22nd against the run last year and is missing D.J. Williams and Brian Dawkins.  If the Steelers do decide to go in this direction, I cannot wait to see if the upgrade of Wolfe will help the Broncos, and it should serve to be a nice matchup to watch.  But if Wolfe and the rest of Denver’s interior Defensive Line are able to do their jobs’, the Steelers will be forced to go to the air.  This is where it will get tricky for Big Ben & the Offensive Line, and the onus will be on protecting #7 and keeping his jersey clean more often than not.  If the Steelers do go to the air, there are a few, with an emphasis on few, ways in which this Line can be set up not quite behind the proverbial “8 Ball,” and hopefully circumvent the continued onslaught of Denver’s pass rushers.

Chances Are Few, But Do Exist For Success Through Air

While I already discussed some matchup issues the Steelers can create with their pass catchers between the numbers earlier in the week, the Steelers can also look to hurt the Broncos and help their Offensive Line by going to a No-Huddle and/or fast-paced attack.  While Big Ben is not necessarily a “surgeon” out on the field like an Aaron Rodgers or a Drew Brees, he is more than capable of, and has achieved a large amount of success running, and calling plays out of a No-Huddle scheme (Steelers Win vs. Patriots comes to mind from 2011).

As I alluded to in my last post, New England destroyed Denver through the air in their Divisional Playoff meeting last season, and held Dumervil and Miller to 0 Sacks combined during the entire game.  To their credit, Bill O’Brien and Josh McDaniels had Brady spread the field and look quickly to his pass catchers out of the Shotgun formation.  Brady recognized the issues Denver had in the middle of the field and picked apart Denver’s Defense effectively and efficiently, and most importantly: got the ball out of Brady’s hands before he could be drilled.  In fact, in both meetings between the two teams last season, Brady was only Sacked a total of 3 times.  Thus, if “Boss Todd” Haley wants to keep these speedsters out of Big Ben’s face when he is asked to throw, he would be at least wise to consider calling plays which have Ben getting rid of the ball quickly.  Plus, if anything can tire out and dishearten an overzealous pass-rush, it is a game plan which allows the Quarterback to dink-and-dunk down the field and avoid contact, and some Backs or Ends to chip the outside rushers as well.

The other way in which the Steelers’ make-shift Offensive Line can be helped against Denver’s pass-rush will be an effective mix of screens and draws to keep them off balance.  If Denver’s Defense and pass-rush are (and will) getting up-field and completely selling out in their attempts to get to Roethlisberger, especially on early downs, the Steelers can use that to their advantage.  Pass protection does not need to be of the greatest variety when the screen game is employed, and all Ben must do is a) hope he gets the ball over/around the oncoming traffic, and b) not get absolutely walloped after he gets rid of the ball.  While I have been a tad harsh towards the Steelers’ Offensive Linemen and their faults’ in this post, one thing which this group can do well, like Pouncey and Colon, is get to the second level and work in the screen game effectively.  With Denver’s Linebackers being on the small side, if the Steelers can execute a well-timed screen to a Back like Redman or Dwyer with Pouncey or Colon leading the way, advantage will go to the Steelers in said situation.  Or if Rainey gets any sort of open-space or lane, he has shown the ability that he can go for 6 points any time he touches the ball.

Keeping Denver off-balance and frustrated will be key for this unit to succeed and protect Ben when he has to throw.  5 and 7 step drops must be used with caution as any extra time that Denver has to get to Roethlisberger will be used against him.  The Steelers will not be able to keep the Broncos at bay the entire game, and to win in today’s N.F.L. requires throwing the football and doing so in an efficient manner.  My ultimate hope is that Haley can construct a game-plan which highlights this group’s strengths and can mask a few of their weaknesses, something the previous Coordinator appeared to not do during his five year stint.

Final Thoughts

As the title states, it will be a “tall order” for Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line this weekend.  Like it or not Steelers fans, but this is the most crucial matchup facing the Steelers’ this weekend.  Peyton Manning is under Center for the Broncos, and with Peyton Manning come points, and with points come pressure on this Offense to either match Denver blow for blow, or sustain long and clock eating drives to keep “Captain Fivehead” on the sidelines.

The Broncos’ Defense will want to come in with a “blood in the water” mentality.  They will to feed off of their home crowd and attack Big Ben every chance they get to accumulate Sacks and force Turnovers galore like they did back in January.  On paper, and on the field, the advantage arrow will point in the Broncos’ direction each and every time Roethlisberger will look down the field, arm cocked, and ready to fire.  It will thus be up to Starks, Colon, Pouncey, Foster, Gilbert, and hopefully some Backs or Ends chipping to make sure that white #7 jersey can avoid some massive grass stains.

Will the Line and Haley’s play-calling help them come through?  I have no idea.  What I do know is that the Offensive Line is without question the Steelers’ (possibly only) weak link on the Offensive side of the ball.  I will cross my fingers and hope for their success, but all we can do is wait, hope, and wish that all goes well on Sunday evening.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro Football Reference.com

Happy Birthday to Dick LeBeau. Coach LeBeau will be 75 on Sunday when the Steelers face the Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE

We’ve all seen the replay a gajillion times by now.  First play of overtime and Tebow hits Demaryius Thomas on a slant that turned into an 80 yard touchdown catch and the end of the Steelers 2011 season.  Personally, I was still picking my jaw up off of the floor a week later.  Unfortunately now, to avenge that loss, it’s going to take two weeks.  First, this Sunday night the Steelers have some demons to exercise in Denver and then next week at home there is a score to settle with Tebow.  The Broncos have vastly improved at quarterback since last January and now a whole different game plan is needed to handle the now Manning-lead Broncos.  Steelers DC Dick LeBeau has taken full responsibility for the defensive scheme that failed the last time the Steelers traveled to Denver.  The biggest question is; can they get it right this time? (more…)

Kim Constantinesco of Predominantly Orange says the Steelers should be on the look out for rookie Derek Wolfe on defense. Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

The FanSided Network covers all 32 NFL teams.  In an effort to gain more knowledge about the Steeler’s opponents each week, I’m writing to each site’s editor.  This week the Steelers face the Broncos and Peyton Manning.  Kim Constantinesco is the senior editor of Predominantly Orange, so I sent her a few questions to gain some early perspective about the 2012 Denver Broncos.

Peyton Manning is back in the NFL and with the Broncos but got off to a slow start.  What’s the overall feeling of the team?  Fans?

Fans are thrilled with Peyton Manning and his performance in the preseason, particularly the last game he played when he went 10-for-22 for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns in less than one quarter of play. He’s connecting with his receivers and brings a ‘win now’ attitude to the team. 

Out at training camp, you could hear his voice booming over the practice field, even more so than any of the coaches. His teammates look up to him as a leader and want to play better for him. It’s going to be an exciting season in Denver.

Tim Tebow in New York – are folks joyous that he’s gone or sad to see him go?

Some are sad that he’s gone, but John Elway’s move to bring Manning in was the only one that could delicately put a needle in Tebowmania. The Broncos caught lightning in a bottle last season thanks to Tebow, and I think every Broncos fan wishes him well, but most are happy with his replacement. 

The defense was ranked 20th overall last season yet somehow helped scrap enough wins together for a playoff run.  What are the glaring weaknesses this year, and how do you think the team/coaches are addressing this?

The Broncos are weak at linebacker right now. Our leading tackler D.J. Williams is suspended for at least six games, and the team has had to deal with injuries at the position. Veteran newcomer Keith Brooking missed nearly all of training camp with a hamstring injury. Add in some youth at the position, and that’s where you have your biggest question mark. 

How did the Broncos do in the offseason with acquisitions and draft picks?  Who should we be looking for on Sunday?

Aside from Manning, the team brought WR Brandon Stokley back and added TE Jacob Tamme to give Manning some familiar targets. They also added S Mike Adams and CB Tracy Porter to provide experience in the secondary. Last season, teams would simply throw away from Champ Bailey, and find a wide open man down field. That was a glaring weakness that the team had to address in the off season. 

Keep an eye on the Broncos first draft pick from last year, defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. No player moved up the depth chart as much or as quickly as Wolfe. His first preseason game, and he records two sacks. While at Cincinnati, he once took on a triple team against Pittsburgh and forced a fumble. This is a hungry kid who will do the Broncos right in the future. 

Predictions?

The Broncos squeak out their first win 24-17 on Sunday night. It will be a close game, but I believe Manning will throw a touchdown late in the game.