The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are both prime examples of physical football teams; this Sunday in the Mile High city, the last game of the divisional round weekend is going to be a slobber knocker.
The Broncos and Steelers played just three weeks ago at Heinz Field, with Denver losing their first half momentum and letting a wild game slip between their fingers. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for an impressive 380 yards and three touchdowns; the only QB this season to eclipse the 300-yard mark against the No. 1 defense in football. Wide receiver Antonio Brown also had a monster afternoon, catching two of Big Ben’s touchdowns and ending with a total of 189-yards.
“In this league, you’re just glad to be in the position to have a shot at this time of year because it’s hard to get there,” head coach Gary Kubiak told Denver media Monday. “We obviously worked really hard to get to where we’re at and we know we have a big test this week. That game was crazy [week 15]. It was a tale of two halves for both teams. We played well as a team in the first half. They dominated the second half. This time of year, if you’re going to win, you’re going to have to play great regardless of whom you play. We understand that.”
“It’s going to be a physical game on both sides of the ball,” he added. “We know that. You’re going to get everybody’s best.”
Both teams know how fortunate they are to be playing in mid-January, Denver’s players and coach’s just need to focus on the game ahead and try to forget the past; for some players that’s easier said than done. Broncos seventh-year safety David Bruton Jr. will not play in the contest due to a broken leg suffered against the Steelers. Even though Bruton has been quiet with the media, fellow Safety Darian Stewart has not.
When Stewart was asked about the play from Steelers center Cody Wallace, he was not shy about his feelings towards the offensive lineman.
“It’s not going to be anything as far as cheap or anything,” Stewart said. “We’re going to get him between the lines, between the whistles. He’s going to be sore after the game, that’s how I see it. He comes out on a screen, he better not come at me. I’m cutting him. That’s where I’m at with it. You got me mad right now just thinking about it.”
The fifth-year safety went on to add that Denver would play smart football Sunday, but would also be keeping an eye on Wallace.
“I was happy, but it really didn’t matter who it was. I think we were ready for whomever,” Stewart said after practice Monday. “Now that we get a chance to play them, it’s going to be a good one. We get a chance to go redeem ourselves.”
After their wild comeback win against the Cincinnati Bangles on Wild Card weekend, the Steelers are beaten up. Both Roethlisberger and Brown suffered significant injuries and are day-to-day, the latter also being told that “it’s not looking good” after entering concussion protocol.
The Mile High crew are hungry and looking to exact revenge against the team who was responsible for one only four losses this season. I’m sure Wade Phillips and Co. would love to see a healthy opponent, but they will take what they can get.
Sunday night is going to be fun.
