Part I

 

It’s playoff time boys and girls. The games now have more meaning so I guess I should post a special Steelers Gospel this week; I have some bad news for all of you…I am in playoff mode starting in September in other words my motor runs full bore every week.

 

I hate the Denver Broncos…I mean I use to hate the Denver Broncos; after they drafted Jesus Christ, I mean Tim Tebow, I grew to despise them. Tim Tebow is a better person than you and he is the first person to tell you so. As I said on the podcast I hope James Harrison ends Tebow’s career for good…I want to hear the sound of a helicopter flying Tebow out of the stadium. I know it’s not nice to cheer for injuries or chaos…Remember I told you Tebow is a better man than I am.

 

This week’s Gospel is dedicated to Kirby Wilson…I am not one to pray much…Kirby is in my prayers. For those who are unaware Wilson was severely burned in a house fire and he was airlifted to UPMC Friday morning.

 

I have zero fear of the Broncos…I understand Ben, Mendy, and Pouncey are hurt…I understand Ryan Clark is a no go this week…The Steelers will find a way to win this game it may not be pretty…You may have some chest pains…When the clock shows zero at the end of the 4^th quarter the Steelers season will continue and hopefully funeral arrangements are being made for Timmy the worlds savior.

 

 

The Steelers will do nothing special...They will attempt to establish the run game, set up play action passing off the run game and take their shots deep against a depleted Broncos secondary. I would not be surprised if Arians is a little conservative early in the game…The Broncos offense is very limited; they will struggle to hang points on the board…Arians has a tough job this week balancing between being aggressive with his play calling but not overly aggressive which could give the Broncos defense opportunities to make splash plays. The Steelers must play smart fundamentally sound football…They cannot afford turnovers or dumb penalties…The Broncos best chance to win this game will come from Steelers mistakes.

 

 

Starks should dominate the undersized Dumervil in the run game. Dumervil is slick against the run. He will come under blocks…He will jump the snap count…He will take chances and guess where the play is going…Starks has to stay fundamentally sound and allow Dumervil to run himself out of plays. At times I expect the Steelers tight ends to down block on the Broncos defensive ends in the run game which allows the Steelers to get a double team block at the point of attack against the Broncos defensive tackles and move to the second level to pick off a linebacker. If Starks plays smart I love this matchup for the Steelers.

 

This matchup scares me a little bit. Kemo has knee issues which is always a problem for offensive linemen. Thomas is a very average defensive tackle who does nothing great…He is just a guy…Kemo has faced better and dominated better players in the past…The Steelers need a lights out effort this week from Kemo if they expect to run the ball between the tackles. If Kemo is healthy he could take bodies at the second level.

 

Bronco and Broderick Bunkley

The Broncos utilize a defense similar to the 70’s Steelers with Bunkley manning the fats Holmes role in the defense…Bunkley will be cocked over the center; his main job is to cause chaos in the defensive backfield by penetrating and blowing up run lanes. If Bronco is close to 90% he will kick Bunkley’s ass up and down the field. Bronco is a downgrade over Pouncey…Not a huge downgrade in my opinion.

 

Will be uncovered most of the game…He will be asked to double team players at the point of attack and run down linebackers…Playing in space is not one of Foster’s strengths…He may struggle at times. Double teams at the point of attack Foster will do some damage. The Steelers must control and dominate the line of scrimmage…Foster could be key in doing so this week.

 

Key matchup of the game…Ayers is the Broncos best run defender in my opinion. Ayers is a nice combination of quickness and power at the point of attack. Gilbert needs to set the tone early in the game by punching Ayers in the throat letting him know he is in a war. Gilbert played like a sissy last week…His effort was on the verge of disgusting…I would have benched Gilbert for Jonathan Scott and everyone knows I hate Jonathan Scott. I hate this matchup because I believe Gilbert is a soft bum who is way over rated. I expect Ayers takes Gilbert to the woodshed and dominates the line of scrimmage limiting the Steelers ability to run the ball.

 

Heath Miller, Wes Saunders and DJ Johnson will play a big part in the run game this week. The Steelers tight ends will be asked to block the Broncos defensive ends at times…Unlike most NFL tight ends the Steelers group excels at this task. I expect the Steelers tight ends destroy Von Miller and DJ Williams in the run game at the point of attack. Broncos middle linebackers Joe Mays is an undersized player who struggles to take on blocks from big fullbacks…DJ Johnson is a big fullback who can really run block. If the Steelers offensive line can get the job done upfront I expect the Steelers running backs have some gaping holes to run through. I love the matchup of the Steelers tight ends and Broncos linebackers.

 

Isaac Redman will have his chance to shine this week…I believe he will take the ball and run with it. Redman has to protect the ball…That’s it. I love his effort and running style. The Steelers other backs are a Motley crew of unsung players…John Clay and Chad Spann will be the change of pace backs with Mendy out for the year and Moore still fighting a lower body injury. Both players have talent and unique skill sets. Clay is a power runner with decent vision and cutting ability…Spann is super quick and slippery…He runs hard and he will fight for every yard. The Steelers backup running backs are like dogs…When backed into a corner a dog will come out fighting or he will cower…I expect a lot of fight from the Steelers backs this week.

 

Champ Bailey will play the run…He will not play the run like he did in 2003. Safety Brian Dawkins is a game time decision for the Broncos…If Dawkins can’t play this week…The Broncos may overtake the Browns for the worst tackling defensive backfield.

If the offensive line can create a few creases…I expect the Steelers run game could dominate this game.

 

 

This is the first of two scary matchups for the Steelers Dumervil is a short fire plug with a non-stop motor and great quickness and speed to the edge of the defense. He is the type of player who gives Starks fits rushing the passer. Dumervil has the speed to beat Starks to the corner and the quickness to duck back inside if Starks over commits to the speed rush. Starks has played very well in the playoffs throughout his career…You will struggle to find a starter with a better record as a playoff starter. Call it a hunch Dumervil will have very little impact on this game.

 

Kemo has been solid since he returned…The knee injury concerns me. Thomas and Bunkley are both limited pass rushers…They both come with a straight bull rush and offer little else. The Steelers should control this matchup without much of an issue.

 

Ryan McBean is the same player who could not make the Steelers roster. McBean will hustle and play hard…He offers nothing special rushing the passer…He is not a great technician or a special athlete…He benefits from the speed rush of Dumervil and Miller…Quarterbacks step into the pocket…Right into McBean’s waiting arms. Robert Ayers is a different animal…Foster should be very familiar with Ayers ability to rush the passer they played together at UT…Ayers on Foster could be ugly…This matchup has me concerned. Ayers is very quick and plays with great leverage and violent hands.

 

Gilbert has played poorly in the run game…He has been very solid in pass protection. Von Miller kills slow offensive linemen…Miller is playing with a broken thumb which limits his ability to rush the passer. Gilbert has to be quick and fluid this week…Miller is a special athlete and very advanced as a pass rusher for a rookie…At the end of the day Gilbert is 6-5 330 pounds…Miller is 6-2 235 pounds…If Gilbert locks on he should dominate. This matchup is part two of the scary matchups…I am concerned with both matchups…I have a feeling the Steelers tackles earn that playoff pay check this week.

 

DJ Williams and Joe Mays are very athletic; they can run with Heath Miller and Wes Saunders all over the field…The Steelers tight ends have a distinct size advantage and should be able to physically get themselves open by using their big bodies to shield Broncos linebackers away from the ball…I don’t like the matchups to be honest…I expect the Steelers attack the Broncos corners and safeties in the passing game…Williams and Mays are both very solid in coverage.

 

The Steelers running backs biggest responsibility in the passing game will be blitz pickup…It’s a strength to Redman’s game…I have concerns with Clay or Spann in the game. Redman may catch a few balls in the passing game…Arians was incorporating the backs in the passing game…I hope that continues.

 

7 is a stud…For those who don’t trust in Ben…I don’t know what to tell you.

 

No Brian Dawkins for the Broncos is a huge loss…Forces Dave Bruton into the starting lineup and he is also injured…The Broncos defensive backs are in big trouble this week if the Steelers offensive line holds up. Champ Bailey will draw Mike Wallace…I expect Bailey to start in man bail technique…After he sees Wallace’s speed first hand he will back off of coverage…Bailey may limit Wallace…He will need help…That help will come from an inexperienced safety…Mike Wallace is going to make a splash play this week…He may make a splash play the first drive of the game. Andre Goodman has zero chance of covering Antonio Brown…Brown has zero holes in his game at this point and Goodman is going to be overwhelmed. The Broncos nickel and dime backs have no chance of covering Cotchery or Sanders. Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter will both see time at safety…Both players will struggle to cover Hines Ward in man coverage.

 

The Steelers offensive line will win or lose this game.

 

If Ben can’t throw the ball because of the ankle…The Steelers Oline and the run game can win this game by scoring enough points against 9 man fronts.

 

The Broncos best offensive play is the belly option. The Broncos run a high school offense based off two pre snap reads. Tim Tebow meet Dick LeBeau. If the Broncos can score enough points to win this game by running the ball, and with Tim Tebow passing the Steelers didn’t deserve to make the playoffs.

 

 

Clady is a very solid run blocker…He is far from great. Keisel and Clady is a very interesting matchup…Clady is a little bit bigger and stronger…Keisel is quicker and more agile. Both players have solid technique…I think Keisel has a bigger heart…Keisel has a better motor…Keisel is also a proven playoff commodity…The Beard plays his best ball come playoff time. I call the matchup even…I will not be surprised if Keisel takes it to Clady.

 

God bless these three players if they try to hatchet Hampton from the inside in the run game…Hampton has stopped the back side cutting by employing a maneuver from Pro Wrestling…He Drops his 355 pound ass on the back of their necks. Walton has no chance of blocking Hampton without help…Tebow has a tendency to become predictable with the snap count…I expect Hampton forces at least one bad exchange causing a turnover…I question if the Broncos can root out Hampton with a double team. I expect Casey Hampton to make all the plays and get credit for none this week…The life of a 34 nose tackle.

 

I expect an epic battle of young lions…Franklin was born to run block; he has a nasty disposition in a big man’s body and he just battles. Ziggy Hood is also a warrior against the run. I expect a ton of stalemates…I don’t think either player will blink…I call it even…Could be a key matchup in the game. Hood may have the quickness to dominate Franklin…I don’t believe Franklin has the snarl to his game to dominate Hood.

 

Lawrence Timmons James Farrior and Larry Foote have to strap there pads tight and prepare to kill some fools. Tim Tebow runs like a fullback he must be treated like one. I expect Casey Hampton will keep the inside linebacker’s clean; they need to take care of business and finish tackles. The Steelers inside linebackers must read their keys and make plays…The Broncos offense is as simple as simple gets…They plan on out executing defenses…That can’t happen if the Steelers expect to shut down this offense.

 

The Broncos tight ends Daniel Fells Virgil Green and Dante Rosario have zero chance of blocking James Harrison or Lamar Woodley in the run game…I expect the Steelers outside linebackers make a ton of big plays against the run this week…Harrison is not your typical 34 outside linebacker…He makes so many violent plays because he reads the game quickly. Woodley’s bad hammy is a concern…If he is right he is also dominant against the run in a different way…Woodley has the ability to anchor against offensive tackles…He sets the edge and it stays set.

 

Tim Tebow is a fullback masquerading as a quarterback…He runs hard…He has issues with fumbles. He needs to go down and he needs to go down hard. Willis McGahee is very happy Ryan Clark is not playing in this game. McGahee runs hard…He offers nothing special. Lance Ball the change of pace back is just another guy…The Broncos lack explosive players to run the ball…They will hit you for 25 yards at times…They lack a true home run threat.

 

The Broncos receivers run block better than any wide receivers in the league. Thomas and Taylor will be a war…Both players are physical and nasty. Decker on Gay looks like a mismatch on paper…Willie Gay has a huge set of plums and plays the run like a mad man….Gay is very under rated against the run.

 

No Ryan Clark for the Steelers will complicate things…Woody High Mundy is ready to go and I have faith he will play a quality game. Mundy is a very good run defender. TP is TP…1/2 Samoan 100% amazing.

 

Eddie Royal is a game time decision for the Broncos…If he does play I don’t expect he offers much…If he doesn’t have his quickness or explosive element to his game he is not a weapon for the Broncos offense.

 

I actually considered skipping this portion because the Broncos rarely throw the ball when they do good things don’t happen. Brady Quinn took half of the first team snaps this week for the Broncos…Foxy may have a quick hook with Tebow and the male model Quinn may have his shot at the Steelers defense.

 

Joe Thomas can handle Harrison because he played against him 8 times in his career and he knows Harrison’s game…Ryan Clady may take some time to adjust to Deebo and that little bit of time could be the difference in the game. Harrison is similar to Elvis Dumervil…Harrison is just much stronger and far more sudden…Harrison’s build, quickness, and speed are similar to Dumervil…Harrison is just far more powerful and nasty.

 

Beadles is a former college left tackle that was forced to move inside because of a lack of quickness in the passing game…He also struggled with long athletic pass rushers. Keisel could give Beadles fits rushing the passer on obvious passing downs. Beadles is your typical slow dirty Broncos offensive linemen…Keisel is a big game player…The beard will close the deal this week.

 

Hochstein is a bum....Somehow he managed to stick around the NFL for a long time. Hood should have his way with Hochstein…Hood is the bigger athletic player…Hood should be able to beat Hochstein with speed or power rushing the passer….The Steelers need a big game from Hood….Hochstein like Broncos linemen of the past will do everything he can legally and illegally to slow Hood down.

 

Lamar Woodley is Mr. Playoffs when it comes to rushing the passer…If Woodley is right he could have 3-4 sacks in this game. Franklin is a quality run blocker who looks out of place in space….Woodley should be able to use his speed rush to set up the rip back inside…If Woodley is healthy Tebow may get killed from the blind side…He is a lefty.

 

The Steelers jinx better known as Hardnose has been preaching to me about Dante Rosario all week…The Broncos have a fine trio of tight ends with play making ability in the passing game. Daniel Fells is your typical NFL tight end…He is a quality player who could give Farrior some problems I expect Timmons and the Steelers safeties to shut him down. Virgil Green is a special athlete who can make plays in the vertical passing game…He can run away from Timmons or Farrior in space if the quarterback has the time to make the play…Rosario runs vertical routes and he can separate quickly from coverage…Rosario looks like he lost 15-20 pounds and reinvented himself as a big slot receiver. The Broncos tight ends are capable of making plays if the Steelers blow coverage’s or the rush doesn’t get there.

 

Ike Taylor will draw Eric Decker or Demaryius Thomas on the outside if Eddie Royal can play and Willie Gay will draw Eddie Royal…If Eddie Royal doesn’t play I expect the Steelers do not match up and take their chances with the matchup. Ike will have success against both Decker and Thomas…Decker lacks the speed and quickness and Thomas is too raw with his route running. I believe Decker could be a problem in coverage for Gay or Lewis…Both Gay and Lewis don’t trust their deep speed they give a cushion and then they bail which allows easy pitch and catch 1^st downs at times. I will say this about Gay…He reads tendencies and he will jump routes making game changing plays. The Broncos rarely utilize more than 3 wide receivers in pass sets when they do Matthew Willis comes into the game…Willis is a decent threat...He runs quality routes and he will make plays in traffic.

 

Mundy and TP should be solid…I expect both make a ton of plays this week.

 

The Steelers suck…The Broncos are great.