Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Can I make the obvious joke, or will I be sitting out for the playoffs?
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*** Denver vs Pittsburgh *** (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter thatguy
- Start date
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
Let me help avoid aI'm just glad this isn't a baseball discussion, cuz I've never batted 9 innings in one night. 4 is very doable.Can I make the obvious joke, or will I be sitting out for the playoffs?I'm sorry, are we getting off topic here?
by saying
enver homers -- What's the weather forecast for tomorrow's 
game in Denver?
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Weather.com works fine.Let me help avoid aI'm just glad this isn't a baseball discussion, cuz I've never batted 9 innings in one night. 4 is very doable.Can I make the obvious joke, or will I be sitting out for the playoffs?
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
Well, I could've done that! I was hoping you could've stuck your head out the window and gave me a real-time update!Weather.com works fine.Let me help avoid aI'm just glad this isn't a baseball discussion, cuz I've never batted 9 innings in one night. 4 is very doable.Can I make the obvious joke, or will I be sitting out for the playoffs?
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Well, I could've done that! I was hoping you could've stuck your head out the window and gave me a real-time update!Weather.com works fine.Let me help avoid aI'm just glad this isn't a baseball discussion, cuz I've never batted 9 innings in one night. 4 is very doable.Can I make the obvious joke, or will I be sitting out for the playoffs?
I could stick my head out the window, but why do you care about the weather in Columbia, Missouri?
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Well, it's a good thing they don't play the game in Virginia, then.I don't know about Missouri or Colorado, but the weather here in Virginia is...
Denver 20
Pittsburgh 14
Booya!
This game will come down to Big Ben vs Jake the Snake, as both teams need to set up the run via the pass!! I simply don't see either team being able to run the ball against the other teams base defense with much consistency. Pitt's running games is not what it used to be, and Denver will not run well against Pitt's 3- 4. Hey Steeler fans, remember the Kordell debacle of 97? Ya, even the denver fans know that we had the better team that year. It is time for payback baby!! Look for Ben to stand tall in the pocket and make some big plays. Jake will be kept off balance by the blitzberg defense and be Jake the Fake once again!! Pitt 27Denver 17Boooo Yaaaaaa!!GO PITT!!! 
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Elway Lives
Footballguy
Looking forward to a great game tomorrow. I sure hope our run doesn't end though. Its been very cool seeing all the hubbub out here the last couple of weeks after its absence for several years.Denver Broncos forever....Pittsburgh Steelers.....NEV-AH!!!! 
There it is
Footballguy
Jerome Brown. RIPSorry I forgot how long ago it was.Your new. So I think you don't know that this is the Phila Eagles saying.Bring it home for "The Bus-Bettis" will be more accepted here.BRINGING IT HOME FOR JEROME!!
There it is
Footballguy
You remember Ward crying last year, that he couldn't win it for Jerome.The Steelers do. They will bring it home for Jerome. BTW Detroit is Jerome's home.BRINGING IT HOME FOR JEROME!!
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
A few more things to add.Stephen Alexander is the red zone TE for Denver - look for him (and FB Kyle Johnson) to get more targets from Plummer inside the 20s than Putzier. However, Putzier is very quietly the 3rd leading receiver in Denver.Ok, thanks for the clearup -- should be a fun game!good luck!Good overview - on paper, they are almost identical. It's the subtile differences that separate the teams. First of all, Anderson is not the change of pace back. He is the primary ball carrier. Bell is more of the change of pace man - brought in to slash the defense. Bell is neither a 3rd down guy as I don't trust his hands (I don't think Shanahan does either), nor is he the primary ball carrier - he will be limited to less than 15 carries. Dayne comes in to spell Anderson on occasion.Both Denver and Pittsburgh are built very similarly when compared.
Jake Plummer and Ben Roethlisberger are both big bodied, agile, accurate passers that can create plays by utilizing their legs.
Willie Parker and Tatum Bell are very quick moving and shifty backs that will be used early and often as both teams will want to get their ground game established both teams love to do screens so watch out for this here, Mike Anderson and Jerome Bettis are the short yardage guys, used sometimes as a 'change of pace' and goaline situations. Ron Dayne is used sparingly in the offense, while Verron Haynes is a hard-nosed 3rd down back that often turns 5 yard dink passes in 15+ receptions. Dan Krieder is a elite fullback who punishes to be tacklers like its nothing. Kyle Johnson is at fullback for the Broncos.
Wide Reciever wise the Denver wide recievers are built for size, where as Steelers recievers are a blend of possession and speed. Hines Ward and Rod Smith are the two guys that their respected quaterbacks will look for for clutch receptions. Ashley Lelie is the 2nd option in Denver and is a speedy reciever, that could be compared to Randle El, where as Randle El is used primarily as a return specialist and doesn't get alot of receptions per game. Cedrick Wilson is the wildcard for the steelers and his production and sure hands will be very key and intregal to the Steelers passing game.
Tight Ends Jeb Putzier and Heath Miller are excellent recieving options for their quarterbacks as both are prototypical in size and speed with good hands. Heath Miller has dramatically improved his game with excellent protection as of late. Heath Miller is a gamebreaker that if utilized properly could make a huge difference in this game as Denver LBs will have fits covering this rare specimen. Watch out for Denver's basketballer turned TE Wesley Duke.
The offensive lines for both teams are built for running teams, Probowlers Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings cement this offensive line with a reputation of hard nose football players. Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons are very consistent, look at for Max Starks (6'7" 317), he is a huge book end for the steelers and is suprisingly quick for his size. Tom Nalen and Matt Lepsis anchor a solid offensive line that is built for destroying a defensive line. It will be key for them to pick up **** Lebeau's blitz schemes.
A rejunvenated Denver line is represent by 3 former Cleveland Browns that has been electric this year, Trevor Pryce is a menace and should give the steelers oline some problems. The underrated Pittsburgh line is anchored by Casey Hampton who is a monster when it comes to run defense, joined with Casey is Kimo von Oelhoffen and Aaron Smith, two very underrated defensive lineman. These guys are spelled by ends Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke, and Travis Kirschke.
The linebackers of Pittsburgh are what makes the 3-4 defense what it is. Joey Porter and James Farrior are the heart of this defense and have had an excellent post season thus far. Underrated Larry Foot and Clark Haggans round out a solid linebacking crew with 2nd year stud James Harrison and suprisingly solid rookie Andre Frazier backing up. Denver's linebacking crew are no lambs, for the fact the D.J Williams, Al Wilson and Ian Gold are in the center of the field for the Broncos and can make some very nice plays for the Broncos and could cause some destruction.
The Broncos secondary is great, Champ Bailey rounds out a solid secondary, with long time veteran John Lynch and Dominque Foxworth and Nick Fegurson also in the mix. Steelers secondary has made a complete 360 from a couple years ago with Probowler Troy Polamalu and Chris Hope making plays at safeties. Ike Taylor has stepped up big time and has shut down many of the top WR's in the game today. Deshea Townsend and rookie Brian McFadden fill out the rest of the CB's for what is a very solid secondary for the steelers.
All in all, both are built similarly and it basically what it comes down to is who makes the most plays (duh, i know). I feel that this will be a ridiculously close game, but a game that will go to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with relentless blitzing schemes and a successful running game will put them over the edge to beat Plummer and the Broncos.
Should be a very fun and interesting game and looking forward to watching the entiriety of it. Good luck to both fans of their respected teams.
GO STEELERS!
TE is another point of contention. I believe Miller is a large part of the Steeler O - providing a big target for Rothlesberger. I don't believe that Putzier is on the same level as Miller, nor does he have the same role. Putzier's role, IMO, is the occasional primary reciever on a select set of plays, aimed mostly at keeping the LB's honest and the safeties shallow. I would like to point out that Denver has played Gonzo, Gates, and Watson twice each, plus Shockey, Cooley, Heap and Witten, allowing a total of 3 TD's in 10 games vs premeir TE's.
One other difference is the OL. Pittsburgh, as far as I know, is built for size and smash mouth football. Denvers OL is based on a zone blocking scheme, where speed and finesse are the key attributes.
I'm not sure what kind (if any) conclusions can be drawn from this, I just wanted Steeler fans to have a better idea of what to expect.
Charlie Adams will have more of an impact as the #3 WR for the Broncos. Darius Watts apparently fell off the planet, but Adams (#81) will see action and is also the KR.
Speaking of Bronco special teams, I would not be surprised AT ALL to see either Rod Smith or Champ Bailey back deep for a big punt return option. Hasn't really happened all year, but this is the playoffs....
Don't expect Bell to get the ball more than 15 times. Book that one.
Denver ideally would have 35-40 runs. Anderson with 18-22, Bell with 10-14, Plummer with 3-5 (not including kneels), and Dayne with possibly a couple.
My "unsung hero" for the Broncos will either be LB Ian Gold or DB Dominique Foxworth. In case you don't know the name, he's a rook from Maryland, but he's played a lot this season. I've covered a number of Broncos games this year, and Foxworth can play.
I'll reserve my next post for a prediction (sure to go wrong of course).
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
I agree.Using Sagarin's ratings, the Broncos should be a 5.5 point favorite. Add in a bigger factor (4 vs. 3.5) for Mile High, and you're looking at a 6 point game.
I think the oddsmakers are doing 3 things:
1. Giving a point or two for the big momentum of Pitt beating Indy.
2. Looking at the matchups as pretty close on paper.
3. Moving the line a bit more towards 3 or 3.5 to get more Denver action - there are a lot of Pittsburgh-sided gamblers out there, and the fan base seems larger for the Steelers than Denver.
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
Before I throw out a prediction, this should be a great game. I hope it lives up to that billing. Solid run games and run defenses, opportunistic pass defenses that can pressure, good kickers and good special teams. Sounds simplistic, but all about the turnovers - and I believe more importantly, 3rd down conversions. Predictionsenver - TD by Mike Anderson, TD by Rod Smith. 2 FG by Elam.Pittsburgh - TD by Jerome Bettis. 3 FG by Jeff Reed.Final scoreitt 16Denver 20Red zone defenses keep the oppositions out of the end zone for the most part, forcing FG attempts. Good weather makes the long ones sail through.Should the Steelers force a +2 turnover differential, I think they could take this one. I just like the Broncos a bit more.
enver - TD by Mike Anderson, TD by Rod Smith. 2 FG by Elam.Pittsburgh - TD by Jerome Bettis. 3 FG by Jeff Reed.Final scoreitt 16Denver 20Red zone defenses keep the oppositions out of the end zone for the most part, forcing FG attempts. Good weather makes the long ones sail through.Should the Steelers force a +2 turnover differential, I think they could take this one. I just like the Broncos a bit more.Here's my look at this game:
Broncos: I think coaches are one of the biggest keys to any club, so we start there. To me, Shanahan has proven that, when he fields a great club, he will win super bowls. However, I am not convinced that the 2005 Broncos are a great club. In particular, their offense leaves something to be desired. I think anytime a club scores less than 400 points, you call their offense into question. When you look at their season, this club was especially consistent all year long. They held you under 20, maybe let you get a little over 20 points once or twice, but that was it.
Steelers: Bill Cowher has beaten a Bengals team that lost its star QB and which has a head coach who is now 0-1 in the playoffs. Cowher beat Tony Dungy who falls to 5-8 in the playoffs. If you want to think I'm making light of those wins, so be it. We have all seen Cowher get outcoached in the playoffs. I don't know that the minds he has squared off against in 2005 have the track record. We know Shanahan does. But at the same time, I don't believe the Broncos are a great team. So I do think Cowher can win this game. Another issue is consistency. Unlike the Broncos, the Steelers have not been consistent during the season. Its this lack of consistency that has them in the #6 seed to begin with. The Steelers open 2-0. Then they go 1-2. Then get win 4 straight. Then they lose 3 straight. And then they win 6 straight. Inconsistent clubs may play their best game of the season in the second round of the playoffs, but I'm not sure that guarantees us that they will give a repeat performance the very next week in the AFC title game.
So where does all of this leave me? I feel the Broncos will win, but my degree of confidence is not high. Its maybe 65%. I think if this game was played 10 times, the Broncos win 6 or 7 games. I don't think either of these clubs are truly great.
Broncos: I think coaches are one of the biggest keys to any club, so we start there. To me, Shanahan has proven that, when he fields a great club, he will win super bowls. However, I am not convinced that the 2005 Broncos are a great club. In particular, their offense leaves something to be desired. I think anytime a club scores less than 400 points, you call their offense into question. When you look at their season, this club was especially consistent all year long. They held you under 20, maybe let you get a little over 20 points once or twice, but that was it.
Steelers: Bill Cowher has beaten a Bengals team that lost its star QB and which has a head coach who is now 0-1 in the playoffs. Cowher beat Tony Dungy who falls to 5-8 in the playoffs. If you want to think I'm making light of those wins, so be it. We have all seen Cowher get outcoached in the playoffs. I don't know that the minds he has squared off against in 2005 have the track record. We know Shanahan does. But at the same time, I don't believe the Broncos are a great team. So I do think Cowher can win this game. Another issue is consistency. Unlike the Broncos, the Steelers have not been consistent during the season. Its this lack of consistency that has them in the #6 seed to begin with. The Steelers open 2-0. Then they go 1-2. Then get win 4 straight. Then they lose 3 straight. And then they win 6 straight. Inconsistent clubs may play their best game of the season in the second round of the playoffs, but I'm not sure that guarantees us that they will give a repeat performance the very next week in the AFC title game.
So where does all of this leave me? I feel the Broncos will win, but my degree of confidence is not high. Its maybe 65%. I think if this game was played 10 times, the Broncos win 6 or 7 games. I don't think either of these clubs are truly great.
Irish
Footballguy
The Steelers lost 3 straight because Big Ben was injured. I see that you fail to mention that Cowher is 2-0 on the road this postseason. The only thing you know about Shanahan is that he has coached Elway led teams to the Superbowl. Elway is retired. You want to talk about early seasons results then look how the Broncos looked in week 1. Of course there is no guarantee that the Steelers will have a repeat performance against the Broncos, that is why they play the game. You must have missed the first 2 weeks of the playoffs because Cowher and his staff clearly outcoached Lewis and Dungy. No matter what Cowher does, BPG will overlook the good and try to point some negatives. I guess that is all Browns fans have to do this time of year.
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
Question for the Steelers fans....How much do you attribute last week's victory over the colts to the OC or DC vs. Cowher? Another way of putting it - who came up with the winning offensive and defensive schemes? I don't know the Steeler coaching hierarchy well enough to comment but would like to know.TIA.
Peyton Marino
Footballguy
Denver wins today, and it's not even close.
H8fulHuck
Footballguy
Defensive scheme is D.Lebeau all the way. It was a blow when he left & we are thrilled to have him back after his HC attempt went south. He can be the best DC or a weak HC...I hope he stays as long as Patern
ffense is Kenny, BUT Cowher put his foot down regarding getting back to the running game after our disaster two seasons ago. So it is Ken's scheme with a glare from Cowher to build the right football mentality.
Mik789fl
Footballguy
Oddsmakers set odds according to how they feel the public will bet the game. Ideally the bookies want a 50/50 split on the money wagered. Once a line is set it's the betting public that determines whether the line goes up or down,the books will move the line to get as close to that 50/50 split as possible. If you feel the line should be Denver by a few more points that means the public is betting more heavily on Pittsburgh. SOMETIMES that can be because of a larger fan base(that's willing to bet),but usually it means the majority of "bettors"(not fans) believe the Steelers can "cover". just my 2 cents.
Black&Gold
Footballguy
Oh my my!!!Lets's get it on!!!Turnovers will be key. But aren't they always.C'mon Black and Gold, bring it home.It's funny, being the 6th seed, we feel more confident this year than in the past couple AFC championship games.GO STEELERS!!!!
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Good luck to all the Steelers' fans in here today. I might stop by periodically, I might not. The whining from both sides tends to get to me in these threads during the game, so I'll just be watching, most likely. Good luck to you guys, but hopefully, the Broncos pull it out.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Cheers. This is one of the first big playoff games in Steelers recent history where there seems to be very little in the way of stupid fans being the majority of the noise (I mean that on the Steelers side, too, lest any Pats/Bungles/Indy/Jets fans get their panties bunched). I respect Denvers team and I'll be pulling for them if they should beat Pittsburgh today.
But that IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
Time to go start drinking! 
Steel City
Footballguy
It's a great day to be a Steeler fan! 
Hammered Finz
Footballguy
HERE WE GO STEELERS!!!I just hope it's a well played game on both sides with no bad calls, and no unforced turnovers.. I'm a big Steeler fan, but if the Broncos win, I'll be supporting them in the SB!!Anyway-- I got my wings ready, my beer chilled, and the high def ready to roll!!oh.. call it Pittsburgh 27 Denver 20 
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Drink enough for both of us. All I have is caffeine free diet dr. pepper.Cheers. This is one of the first big playoff games in Steelers recent history where there seems to be very little in the way of stupid fans being the majority of the noise (I mean that on the Steelers side, too, lest any Pats/Bungles/Indy/Jets fans get their panties bunched). I respect Denvers team and I'll be pulling for them if they should beat Pittsburgh today.
But that IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
Not enough.RoarinSonoran
Footballguy
GDB people that can't handle playing/singing the National Anthem. 
thesurfshop19
Footballguy
Good luck to all teams. Let's have a good, clean, healthy game out there.Go Broncos!
Hammered Finz
Footballguy
GDB people that can't handle playing/singing the National Anthem.
I thought it sounded good
NorvilleBarnes
Footballguy
GAME TIME
Peyton Marino
Footballguy
LETS DO THIS
Keys Myaths
Pokerguy
Good luck everyone...I'm out.
jeff_eaglz
Footballguy
Is this now the game thread, or will there be a seperate one?Just curious.
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
I don't have a dog in this hunt and don't care who wins, but I sure am all 
to see this game. Let's pray the refs don't screw it up and create some sad controversy.
to see this game. Let's pray the refs don't screw it up and create some sad controversy.
RoarinSonoran
Footballguy
One of my pet peeves. You don't ef with the National Anthem. You belt it out, period. You don't add fancy notes, add vibrato, "poetic license", etc.The best rendition I've ever heard was in the early 80's, on MNF. One of our military planes crashed off New Foundland, killing dozens if not hundreds (I forget the details) of our soldiers. MNF followed a couple of days later, and they had the crowd sing it to honor the dead. Awesome, simply awesome.Singing it any other way = Roseanne's version. The final word "brave" has only one syllable, it's not "bray-ay-ay-ay-uhve".GDB people that can't handle playing/singing the National Anthem.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Denver D being exposed early...
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
LOL!
