Looking Ahead to Denver - What are the Keys to the Game?

[Steelers4Life]

For the Steelers O, much will depend on the health of BB and AB. Would be nice to get DWill back as well. O-Line will need to keep whomever is behind Center clean. I can't recall how our OTs did when the Doncs visited Hines. IIRC, Gilbert did well but Villy may have struggled?

Defensively, is it better or worse for us that Pey-Pey is back as starter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpOG9K02F_g

[Joe Steeler Fan]

The Key to the game is ...

Hope Ben can play and Landry Jones doesn't step foot on the field.

[Legacy User]

The Key to the game is ...

Hope Ben can play and Landry Jones doesn't step foot on the field.

[Thrillsseeker]

The Key to the game is ...

Hope Ben can play and Landry Jones doesn't step foot on the field.

^^^^This is step #1 for sure.

Have defense ball out like it did against Cinci. Continue to get the train rolling with a full head of steam.

Hope for good luck and or good modern medicine to help in the health department. We're gonna need it.

[R_S]

Hope Ben doesn't get driven into the ground on his right shoulder. If he does, it will be all over for that wing.

[Jobu]

Defensively, is it better or worse for us that Pey-Pey is back as starter?

Regardless of his arm, Peyton still has the ability to get his team into the right play...don't underestimate that.
I most certainly woud rather see Osweiler.

That said...if Ben, AB, DWill are good to go, I like our chances.

[Kodiak]

Make Peyton beat you over the top with his arm.

[Stallworth16]

If Landry Jones does step foot on the field, there is a chance he will play well. He has shown that ability at times.

Having said that, We Need Ben. And hopefully Ben can get enough medical miracle this week to throw with full power.

Same goes for AB.

[Kodiak]

And hopefully Ben can get enough medical miracle this week to throw with full power.

My concern if he took the needle is what kind of feel/touch would he have for making throws with a numb shoulder?

[Donnie Brasco]

I feel that cincy and Denver are very similar teams, I give a slight edge to Denver because of their cb play...cincy has better safeties. Similar gameplan in my mind- have to take the underneath stuff, hope Dwill can go

Defensively I feel the fact we made cincy one dimensional is being overlooked, teams usually gouge us on the ground. Have to limit Denver there too

[Burghboy]

For the Steelers O, much will depend on the health of BB and AB. Would be nice to get DWill back as well. O-Line will need to keep whomever is behind Center clean. I can't recall how our OTs did when the Doncs visited Hines. IIRC, Gilbert did well but Villy may have struggled?

Defensively, is it better or worse for us that Pey-Pey is back as starter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpOG9K02F_g

Don't remember if Ware even played but I vaguely remember seeing Von Miller's likeness on a milk carton

[R_S]

And hopefully Ben can get enough medical miracle this week to throw with full power.

My concern if he took the needle is what kind of feel/touch would he have for making throws with a numb shoulder?

corticosteroids don't numb the shoulder

[steelclan]

The weather. If it is shitty Pey Pey will struggle.

[bradshaw2ben]

the absolute key to the game is the mind game with peyton

1. show him one thing, give him another
2. bait him into throws he thinks are open but aren't
3. game his protection schemes
4. break him by forcing him to realize he doesn't have the code/answers to the test

[Legacy User]

The weather. If it is shitty Pey Pey will struggle.

I know it's early, but no ominous weather forecast for next weekend in Denver. Mid 30s, partly cloudy, winds only 4 mph. 10% chance of precip

[Kodiak]

The weather. If it is shitty Pey Pey will struggle.

I think bad weather could possibly favor DEN as they have a better defense and running game.

Assuming Ben is healthy, good weather probably matters more to PIT. Peyton doesn't have much of a vertical passing game any more, so the weather isn't going to have a huge impact on him.

[Donnie Brasco]

the absolute key to the game is the mind game with peyton

1. show him one thing, give him another
2. bait him into throws he thinks are open but aren't
3. game his protection schemes
4. break him by forcing him to realize he doesn't have the code/answers to the test

See I feel he already knows the answers to the test, so it's going to be about pressure or perceived pressure

[Legacy User]

the absolute key to the game is the mind game with peyton

1. show him one thing, give him another
2. bait him into throws he thinks are open but aren't
3. game his protection schemes
4. break him by forcing him to realize he doesn't have the code/answers to the test

See I feel he already knows the answers to the test, so it's going to be about pressure or perceived pressure

Agreed...Steelers have to pressure Pey Pey. Make him uncomfortable and take away the short easy completions. NO 10 yard cushions and soft zone coverage!!

[Havoc]

Weather could be a factor (but the forecast sounds good) and now we don't know about health.

If Shazier and the rest of the LB's play close to the level they did in the wc game this team will have more ways they can win football games.

We attacked for 4 quarters with the passing game short to midrange in our rs win vs the broncos.

[Legacy User]

Watching that Denver game against San Diego - there was a striking difference in the pace of their offense between Osweiller and Manning.

Manning had the offense humming, I mean quick, go go go. He made the right calls at the right time. Even if he has no arm, that offense will be called to keep the defense on its heals. The Steelers must break this pace, they need to force negative plays on defense.

[Legacy User]

Let's hope Butler still has some things up his sleeve. Our OLBs were playing possessed. Dupree was shot out of a cannon and Jones/Harrison were destroying Whitworth.

[Legacy User]

Defensively, is it better or worse for us that Pey-Pey is back as starter?

Regardless of his arm, Peyton still has the ability to get his team into the right play...don't underestimate that.
I most certainly woud rather see Osweiler.

I've been wavering on this as well. Brock has played well in relief but his inexperience could lead him to make huge mistakes.

And Payton has a huge on-field presence and is extremely cerebral... but also tends to crumble in the playoffs and probably isn't fully healthy. Perhaps we get a few gifts because he's trying to make plays his body no longer can.

I think the biggest thing our team needs to focus on is not giving them any easy scores. First and foremost, this means an increased focus on tackling.

[lifelongsteel]

Ben needs to play 4 quarters.

Which means the offensive game plan will look a lot like last week's. Runs. Short stuff. Maybe something relatively deep on unexpected downs. I'm hoping that the D remains aggressive. I think the young guys are just more comfortable attacking.

Keys are the same as usual with this team.
- Ben: 1 or fewer picks
- D: create 2+ turnovers
- Martavis: make 1 "Alien" play

[TTP]

Besides the health of BR and Brown, the key is going to be Mike Mitchell. A lot of the noodle armed Manning's INTs have been floaters over the middle. There are going to be opportunities for Mitchell to get at least 2 picks in this game if he plays the ball rather than going for the kill shot.

[Legacy User]

Id agree Ben playing is single biggest factor. Steelers have very nearly 0 chance without him. So assuming that biggest factors for me are

OL. No mystery to me that's the only loss we have had in past five games was also worst offense of line showing.

QB. Again assuming Ben plays, stakes get higher he's gotta play at the higher level he is capable of.

D secondary. I think no matter what game it is a can always turn on turnovers and cheap points. So you can't say anything about turnovers obviously except their important to avoid. Defense can't give up big chunks of yards missed tackles that lead to breaking receivers for touchdowns in that type a thing.

Other than that there's any number of factors probably at least five that will contribute to who wins the game. And her will be tough for sure.

[stillcajun]

We need to lockdown middle of the field ala Cinci game with shorter cushions and tight coverage and we need to force Manning to take shots down the field where we can take advantage of his noodle arm. Pass rush needs to arrive w/ bad intentions and put pressure on him all day.

Above all we need Ben to be able to play.

[Defense]

Looking at the match up as simply as possible.

Our offense matches well with their defense.
Forget the long pass (other than 1 or 2 ) , run the ball and keep Denver Offense off the field.
Some misdirection would be very advantages to us, with short and middle range completions.

Defense is where the game will be won or lost.
Front line needs to pressure Manning all day long, and force him into bad decisions, hopefully turning the ball over.
He is not a threat to run, which plays well into our scheme, with Shazier being the X factor.

Denver doesn’t score a lot of points, so limiting their possessions greatly reduces a “shoot out” type game.

If special teams can provide good field position, then the odds favour the Steelers even more.

Gonna be a tough outing men !

[Legacy User]

Stop the run. Anderson and Hillman can be dangerous in Denver.

Make ball carriers regret touching the football. Their guys have lots of drops.

Stay out of 3rd and long.

[Legacy User]

We should also seriously consider covering Sanders to start the game unlike the last time we played them!!

[lifelongsteel]

We should also seriously consider covering Sanders to start the game unlike the last time we played them!!

Right. And let's not blitz both outside corners on the same play