Pittsburgh vs. Denver Game Info and Betting Odds
When: 4:40 PM ET, Sunday, January 17, 2016 Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado NFL Odds: Denver -6.5 Over/Under: 41 Analysis: The Denver Broncos may have struggled offensively all season long in ranking 16th in total offense, 14th in passing, 17th in rushing and a mediocre 19th in scoring (22.2 ppg), but I believe the Broncos’ defense is too good to lose to a Pittsburgh Steelers team that will limp into this matchup with some serious health issues. Sure, the Steelers managed to beat the perpetually underachieving Cincinnati Bengals in their AFC wildcard matchup last weekend, but the Steelers are going to find out on Sunday that the Broncos aren’t nearly as insane as the Bengals, en route to what I believe will be a convincing loss.
#JrReporter Xiah Zepeda is ready to go! #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/VSyyT5LbOG
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 15, 2016
Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is trying to bounce back after injuring his shoulder last weekend while Pro Bowl wideout Antonio Brown could potentially miss this game altogether as he deals with the NFL concussion protocol following Vontaze Burfict’s vicious cheap-shot to his head. Yes, it’s true that Pittsburgh has an explosive offense that ranked fourth in scoring (26.4 ppg) and it’s also true that the Steelers are playing their best defense of the season right now.
Still, Denver is well-rested and nearly at full strength after getting a bye last weekend, not to mention the fact that they’re playing at home. Future Hall of Fame signal-caller Peyton Manning will be back under center for the Broncos after missing over a month because of injury – and backup Brock Osweiler’s solid play.
I realize that Denver has compiled a bunch of dismal ATS trends like their uninspiring 1-4 ATS mark in their last five home playoff games and 0-4 ATS mark in their L/4 divisional playoffs games, but he Broncos are also 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss and a near-perfect 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings against Pittsburgh.
Earlier this week, 51 percent of the betting public liked the Steelers to at least cover the spread, but now, that number has swung to 51 percent in the direction of the Broncos. For me, I say Denver wins and narrowly cashes in, despite the fact that Peyton Manning has never won a playoff game played outdoors in which the game-time kickoff temperature was 40 degrees or colder!