PLAYER NOTES
–LB Brandon Marshall missed practice time this week because of a bone bruise in his knee and his status for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh remains uncertain. Marshall has missed the past two games. Rookie Josey Jewell has seen the bulk of the snaps at inside linebacker in Marshall’s absence.
–CB Bradley Roby missed practice time this week and remains in concussion protocol. His availability for Sunday’s Steelers game could be a game-time decision.
–WR DaeSean Hamilton (knee) practiced in limited fashion this week. His status for Sunday’s game remains questionable.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: K Brandon McManus came through at crunch time last week after missing the potential game-winning kick the week before in a loss to the Houston Texans. McManus, who has been one of the Broncos’ most accurate kickers in the team’s history, delivered a 34-yard game-winning field goal in the victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on his second kick. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn “iced” him by calling timeout just before he kicked his first attempt , which also sailed through the upright but was waved off by the officials. McManus said later that having the first kick waved off actually helped him because he was able to treat it as a practice kick and he drew confidence from getting the first kick through. McManus has now had five career game-tying or game winning field goals in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime, including last week’s decisive kick at the end of regulation.
GAME PLAN: The Broncos need to get their passing game in gear sooner than they did last week, when they gained the bulk of their yardage through the air in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Case Keenum, indeed, was at his best late in the Chargers game but a more consistent performance would give the Broncos some breathing room in hopes of avoiding another nail-biter. Setting up more manageable third downs also figures to be a key to generating more offensive consistency.
On defense, pressure, pressure, pressure stands out as the key to disrupting Roethlisberger, perhaps the toughest quarterback in the game to take down in the backfield. He’s just so big and strong and has shown time and again that he can withstand a pass rusher’s initial jolt. Taking Roethlisberger by storm, or getting one pass rusher after another in his face and on his body will tell the tale of Sunday’s game and whether the Broncos can find a way to come out on top.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. The Pittsburgh wideout remains the go-to receiver for Ben Roethlisberger and a big-play threat who will draw the attention of the Broncos’ top defensive back, Harris. Harris’ play has really come on in recent weeks and he helped turn the tide in last week’s win over the Chargers with an interception and a series of tackles in run support and immediately after pass completions.
–Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva vs. Broncos LB Bradley Chubb. Villanueva stands out as one of the league’s top pass protectors and he’ll need to bring all his athleticism and pass-blocking acumen to bear to slow down Chubb. The fast-rising Chubb has been making strides each week to join Von Miller as a dominating edge rusher. Opposing linemen have had difficulty containing him because of his explosive get-off, strong hands and strong bull rush.
