Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos Preview

NFL Football Betting Preview
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1)
Monday November 9th, 8:30PM Eastern

Betus.com betting line – Pittsburgh -3, 40 O/U

Outside of Indianapolis, the Denver Broncos have the next best record in the AFC at 6-1. The Broncos emergence in the AFC has caught many by surprise this season. However, even with Denver’s impressive start there are many that still doubt they are on of the top teams in the conference. The Broncos already have wins over Dallas and New England this year, but they were also blown out last week to Baltimore 30-7. Perhaps everyone will see just what kind of team the Broncos do have when they attempt to bounce back from last week’s loss as they will host the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers this Monday night.

The Steelers have overcome a sluggish start to battle back with 4 consecutive wins as they are now tied with Cincinnati in the AFC North. The Pittsburgh defense has not been nearly as dominate on paper as they were in 2008 where they only relinquished 13 points per game and 237 total yards. The Steelers this season are allowing almost 19 points per game and just less than 300 yards. However even if the numbers show differently, the Steelers defense is still among the best in the league. The Broncos actually rank 1st in the NFL holding opponents to just 13.7 points per game and 266 yards per game, but Pittsburgh will be trying to prove who really has the best defense in the AFC when the two impressive units collide in Mile High.

The Pittsburgh offense is actually performing better than they did a year ago in their championship season. QB Ben Roethlisberger ranks 2nd in the NFL averaging 295 yards per contest behind only Peyton Manning. The Steelers pass offense has really carried the offense as the running game has been insufficient. Roethlisberger has 11 scores and 6 picks on the season and his favorite target is an all too familiar face in star WR Hines Ward. Ward ranks 5th in the NFL with 89 yards per game and 602 in total for the season. Ward along with teammate Santonio Holmes has been superb on the outside. Holmes is averaging 17 yards per reception for just less than 500 receiving yards on the year. These two guys will be the big difference makers this Monday night in what could likely turn out to be a defensive game. However, the Steelers passing offense could be prime to make the big plays that would make all the difference in the outcome.

The Broncos as stated before have gotten a tremendous support from their defense. However, QB Kyle Orton has surpassed all expectations throwing 9 touchdowns with just 1 interception on the season. Orton is completing a solid 63% from the field. The Broncos offense is not overpowering in any form, but they do maintain balance that keeps defenses on their toes. The offense is at their best when WR Brandon Marshall is making plays on the outside. Marshall leads the team with 33 receptions for 356 yards which is down a bit in production from a year ago. Marshall was held to a season low 4 catches for 24 yards in last week’s loss.

However when Marshall is able to make some catches on the outside, it really helps the running game. The Broncos running game thrives off the success of the passing offense and rookie running back Knowshon Moreno is developing into an every down threat. Moreno has 420 yards as his carries continue to pick up each week. Moreno has not broke open any long runs this year, but his speed definitely gives him that opportunity and Denver will be hoping he breaks through this Monday night.

Pick – Steelers -3