Pittsburgh's Road Odyssey Runs Through Denver
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: PITTSBURGH @ DENVER
(Sun., 12:30pm; DEN -3 1/2)
The Steelers defied all odds last season by going 15-1 with a rookie quarterback. In this year's playoffs, Pittsburgh has done everything needed to get the AFC Championship Game in Denver.
They quickly erased Cincinnati's Carson Palmer on the second play of their opening game on wildcard weekend, thereby, sucking all of the exuberance out of the Bengals and their vocal fans.
Last week, against all odds, they defeated a Colts team that just four weeks prior some were calling one of the best in NFL history. They did it in the league's loudest venue and beat its best player--Peyton Manning--and did it convincingly.
So, if they've done all that, what's stopping them from beating a less-talented Denver team?
Pittsburgh, along with Carolina, present the two most aggressive and experienced teams left in the playoffs. This should come in handy when presented with possibly the NFL's most daunting locales--oxygen-starved Denver. Coupled with the loud fans, the mile high altitude of Denver could play a role in this game. Enough with the intangibles.
The Steelers are in a good frame of mind right now; a winning daze, but so is Denver.
This game will come down to the Steelers defense against Denver's offense. Both teams are playing to their strengths. Pittsburgh is 8-2 on the road and Denver is 9-0.
The Steelers defense may suffer from a frenetic two weeks on the road, but the backup duo of Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis may be able to control the clock against Denver's defensive line.
Denver's Jake Plummer isn't prone to making big mistakes anymore and he needs to be contained. If he can get out of the pocket and make plays out of nothing it will portend to bad things for Pittsburgh, especially if it happens with five minutes left in the game.
This will be a tough game. Most likely coming down to whomever has the fickle last possession. I'm betting it comes down to Pitt's Jeff Reed splitting the uprights. Nevertheless, take the points with Pittsburgh. Steelers 24, Broncos 22.
