The Pittsburgh Steelers return home in hopes of snapping a three-game skid when they take on the Denver Broncos this coming weekend. The Broncos are also coming off a loss, so they’ll be out aiming to regain their footing. Check out our preview of this game below.
The Broncos were not able to run away with another win in Week 4, as they saw their win streak end at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in a 23-7 home loss last Sunday. It wasn’t largely because that the Broncos finally got exposed by a legitimately good team, but Denver also had to deal with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater leaving the game with a head injury. Bridgwater is now on the concussion protocol and his availability for next Sunday’s game against the Steelers is currently in great question. If he can’t go, the Broncos will turn to Drew Lock. Lock was shaky under center against the Ravens, finishing with just 113 yards on 12/21 completions. He also threw a pick. However, he can be more stable with another week of practice geared towards a start. Lock started 13 games in 2020 and collected 2,933 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. In any case, the Broncos will count on their defense to make a difference. After having trouble with Lamar Jackson, the Broncos’ defense will take on an aging Ben Roethlisberger who’s now simply a shell of his former self.
The Broncos are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall.
The Steelers are not out of their rut yet. After upsetting the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 1, Big Ben and the Steelers lost all their next three games, the latest being a 27-17 setback at the hands of the Green Bay Packers on the road last Sunday. Roethlisberger went 26/40 for 232 yards and a touchdown and interception. That lone touchdown pass was caught by Dionatae Johnson, who returned from a one-game absence due to injury. Although Roethlisberger is way past his prime now, he is still capable of dropping sweet dimes just like he did with Johnson’s help. Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster has to be better after catching just two of eight targets against Green Bay. The Steelers are also hoping that Chase Claypool will be ready to go after missing Sunday’s game with a hamstring issue. A trio of Claypool, Smith-Schuster, and Johnson will always be a threat regardless of who’s playing quarterback. Defensively, the Steelers are potent enough on that side of the field to make the erratic Lock sweat under center.
The under is 4-0 in the Steelers’ last four games overall.
