OT: Antonio Brown ruled out against Denver

Steelers have no shot with Rothlesberger hurt and Brown out. As bad as Manning has been the Steelers defense isn't great so I don't expect the broncos to have many issues scoring.

Lets worry about our game. Worry about the AFCCG next if we get there.

SVN said:

Lets worry about our game. Worry about the AFCCG next if we get there.

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I'll worry about whatever I wanna worry about as I don't play for the New England Patriots

Wow that's huge. Sucks.

They may have beaten the bengals but those dirty scum essentially ended their season. I don't care how bad manning plays, aj mccaron should have beaten this team WITH brown and Ben not having the ac sprain most of the game. Not looking good

As hard as it is to pick Manning in a playoff opener, Denver is really about defense so I see it as picking the Denver D more than Manning.

KontradictioN said:

The Steelers picked the Broncos apart last time around with the quick passing game. As long as Ben can put some zip on the ball 10-15 yards downfield, they could still have a very good chance. He wasn't launching rockets to receivers on deep posts and go routes last time around. I wouldn't exactly call it a win, esepecially without Brown and Williams. But it's not like they need Ben to go deep at all. They didn't need it last time around. That said, if the Steelers still end up pulling this out, I think this goes down as the most embarrassing one and done for Manning in his career since the reason for that happening will more than likely be turnovers by Denver's offense.

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A lot of that had to do with the availability of Brown, though, who was able to routinely beat Chris Harris one-on-one. That meant Bryant matched up with Talib and whomever else. Not sure Bryant will be able to beat Harris, and Wheaton and Heyward-Bey aren't a match for Talib.

I think it's possible the Steelers win, but I don't think it's likely. Hard to win when you're missing your two best players on offense and your quarterback is hobbled.

Thankfully, the other team is Peyton in the playoffs, which gives the Steelers a puncher's chance.

You have to hand it to Burfect, he singlehandly Put Leveon Bell, Antonio Brown and Rothlisburger's right arm out of this game. Look for Denver to roll Pittsburgh. I think the Pats in the end are going to regret mailing in the last two games of the season.

the league just continues to stack that deck for the broncos. Their ability to send peyton off into the sunset with a title will be one of those legendary moments in line with the blacksox scandal.

Someday....

primetime said:

A lot of that had to do with the availability of Brown, though, who was able to routinely beat Chris Harris one-on-one. That meant Bryant matched up with Talib and whomever else. Not sure Bryant will be able to beat Harris, and Wheaton and Heyward-Bey aren't a match for Talib.

I think it's possible the Steelers win, but I don't think it's likely. Hard to win when you're missing your two best players on offense and your quarterback is hobbled.

Thankfully, the other team is Peyton in the playoffs, which gives the Steelers a puncher's chance.

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Wheaton and DHB are exactly the type of receivers that give Talib problems in space. Bryant vs. Harris will be a tougher match-up.

primetime said:

A lot of that had to do with the availability of Brown, though, who was able to routinely beat Chris Harris one-on-one. That meant Bryant matched up with Talib and whomever else. Not sure Bryant will be able to beat Harris, and Wheaton and Heyward-Bey aren't a match for Talib.

I think it's possible the Steelers win, but I don't think it's likely. Hard to win when you're missing your two best players on offense and your quarterback is hobbled.

Thankfully, the other team is Peyton in the playoffs, which gives the Steelers a puncher's chance.

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KontradictioN is right - Pitt did play a short passing game in the earlier win against Denver.

The problem though isn't just the loss of AB -- it's that Denver will likely be able to squat on that short passing game with Ben unable to throw the ball deep. In the previous matchup, Denver still had to respect the potential for the deep ball, which is part of how Pitt was able to have so much success in the short and intermediate passing game.

Never say never I guess...Any Given Sunday and all that. But I think "puncher's chance" perfectly describes the Steelers in this game. They'll need a lot to go right, plus a bit imploding on Denver's part, to pull off the upset.

Haterproof said:

The million dollar question is! Does anyone want to see another 43-8 embarrassing game on Superbowl Sunday?

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If it's either a Patriots win (enough of this 3- or 4-point crap!) and an AFC Hated Rival loss -- yes.

Haterproof said:

The million dollar question is! Does anyone want to see another 43-8 embarrassing game on Superbowl Sunday?

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if denver's involved? absolutely!!!
ill cheer for whoever's on the nfc

I'm not upset. I feel very confident going into Denver if we win this week.

TBR said:

Has there been a luckier team all year long than Denver?

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No there hasn't. It's been unbelievable all season long. Between their improbile victories and things falling their way, it's been amazingly irritating.

They honestly may not have made the playoffs if Kansas City didn't literally throw their game in the second week of the season, as well as a Chris Harper muff punt, Celeveland being Cleveland and John Fox deciding that field goals are worth going for. It's incredible they're actually the #1 seed with practically two byes now.

But let's not forget, the Broncos struggled to beat the lowly Chargers last week who had no O-Line, no offensive weapons and one of the worst defenses in the league.

It's Manning, it's the playoffs, anything can happen.

ensoul said:

Steelers have no shot

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Think about how much more pressure is on Manning and the Broncos if that is the conventional wisdom.

Tunescribe said:

How do you figure? Please offer some specifics, because I need reason for optimism.

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There are some issues on both teams; for Pittsburgh it is still not even their receiving corps, which while taking a big hit, is still above average. They will have trouble moving the ball against a solid but overrated defense. Denver's issues, though, are greater, because they have a poor offensive line and a guy who cannot afford to take big hits right now. I think Manning will have his typical PTSD in the playoffs and Pittsburgh will win a low scoring game.

Todd Bradley said:

But let's not forget, the Broncos struggled to beat the lowly Chargers last week who had no O-Line, no offensive weapons and one of the worst defenses in the league.

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Right, but divisional game and all that. Still, you're right, Manning did little to exploit a secondary that was throwing Dontrelle Inman out there at safety at the end of the game.

FreeTedWilliams said:

You have to hand it to Burfect, he singlehandly Put Leveon Bell, Antonio Brown and Rothlisburger's right arm out of this game. Look for Denver to roll Pittsburgh. I think the Pats in the end are going to regret mailing in the last two games of the season.

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I think Denver's gonna regret even making it to the post season once Tom ****in Brady and the big bad New England God Damn Patriots come storming into Denver

chasa said:

the league just continues to stack that deck for the broncos. Their ability to send peyton off into the sunset with a title will be one of those legendary moments in line with the blacksox scandal.

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I thought the send off for "The Murderer" was revolting, but if this happens, I'm really gonna puke!