Pete Prisco likes the Pittsburgh Steelers to not only win this weekend, but he believes the celebrated Steelers defense, even with some injury concerns a la Ryan Clark, will present the kind of nightmare that will make things very difficult for Tim Tebow and the rest of the Denver Broncos offense. In fact, he says things will get “ugly.”
“This is a bad matchup for the Broncos,” writes Prisco. "They are the league’s top-ranked rushing team and they are playing a defense that was eighth in rushing defense. But the real mismatch comes with the Denver passing game against the Pittsburgh pass defense. Tim Tebow has really struggled to throw the football and the Steelers are first in pass yards per game allowed. They will get after him with James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
“Tebow has to take a few shots down the field if the Broncos are to have a chance. The Steelers have a huge edge with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. He is still bothered by an ankle, but even a gimpy Roethlisberger gives the Steelers an edge. The difference in this Steelers team from those of the past is that it’s a pass-first team. With top runner Rashard Mendenhall out with a knee injury, that will be the case even more. The Broncos defense was 21st in passing yards per play. Pittsburgh was ninth in yards per pass play on offense. That means Roethlisberger will have chances down the field. I see him hitting several of them. Tebow can’t keep up. Not the way he passes it. This is ugly.”