Good morning, Broncos Country!
While the Sunday playing strength of Ben Roethlisberger remains questionable and Antonio Brown has been ruled out, the Broncos' players aren't concerning themselves with who will or won't play for the Steelers on Sunday.
They're just focusing on playing an always tough Steelers team led by the always sturdy Big Ben.
"You've got to go into the game thinking you're going to get what they can do the best. He's obviously one of the best, if not the best, in the league as far as passing, throwing the ball, and he proved it against us," defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. "It's a challenge for us. Ben said something about [the Steelers] being lucky. The way we tackled, we're lucky he didn't throw for 500 yards on us. They played well. We didn't play well enough."
Cornerback Aqib Talib isn't even allowing himself to think they'll face anyone besides Big Ben and his three best receivers.
"Nah, they'll be there. They'll be there, we know that. Ben can say whatever he wants," said Talib. "He has torn bursa sacs and he'll be there. We know you'll be there, Ben."
In fact, all of the defense is gearing up for a tough fight on Sunday.
"They're going to get everything we have," said safety T.J. Ward, who was out during the first matchup between the two teams in Week 15. "We're not worried about individuals coming in hurt, maybe hurt or that may play. We're getting ready for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whoever plays, they're going to get 100 percent of the Broncos' D."
That's a strong statement from a player who said before the teams' first matchup that the Steelers' offense was so good only because it hadn't faced the Broncos' defense yet. And then Big Ben and the Steelers carved up the No Fly Zone (sans Ward and Darian Stewart, mind you), storming back from a 27-13 halftime deficit to a 34-27 late-game lead.
Ward says that outcome is not happening again.
"I think we're more dialed in," said Ward, who along with Stewart will be back in the starting lineup this weekend. "I think we're more focused, especially after losing last year in the first round at home. We don't want to let that happen again. We're dialed in all the way."
"He's a heat-seeking missile." - @sonofbum on safety @BossWard43 pic.twitter.com/Ifb2w12boO
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) January 14, 2016
Aside from the obvious - defense playing aggressive but smart football and the offense holding onto the ball and scoring on every drive - not overlooking this week's opponent because of concern over "next week's opponent" is crucial to winning this game.
"In my opinion, I think we were focused on New England," Talib said about the early exit in 2015's playoffs. "There was a bunch of future talk when we didn't even get the Colts yet. I think that was our biggest problem last year."
Demaryius Thomas - who was on record last year saying his teammates were afraid to go to New England - definitely thought many players were looking to the AFC championship last season way too soon.
"It's win or go home," DT said, adding that experience from last year's embarrassingly early exit taught the Broncos to keep it focused on the here and now this time around. "We know we've got to win two games to make it to the big game. All we're worrying about right now is the Steelers. When we win that game, we'll go on to the next."
Chris Harris, Jr., who had one of his worst NFL games when the Broncos met the Steelers in Pittsburgh last month, is all about not having any excuses at the end of the game. Whether it's fatigue or injury, these Broncos are going to fight through it, he says.
"It's the best versus the best. There are no excuses in this game," Harris Jr. said. "They're hurt. We're hurt. It's the NFL. It's the playoffs. Everybody is hurt. There are no excuses. You've got to fight through it."
That's what Peyton Manning is doing as he prepares to start for the first time since the Broncos lost to the Chiefs two months ago. As usual, Manning is meticulous in his preparation and has a pretty narrow focus - the Steelers defense, particularly their blazing fast linebackers.
"They have very athletic linebackers. That's a real asset for their defense," said Manning, adding that the key for the Broncos' offense will be "being sound" in what they execute. "Just trying to be sound in what you're doing, that probably gives you the best chance. ...I think being flexible, being ready to adjust is important, as well. You certainly know certain things that are going to be consistent about Pittsburgh. They're going to be very sound in what they do, they're well-coached and they play extremely hard."
With a healthier Manning in the huddle plus a defense back to full strength, this Broncos team will be one tough group to beat.
"Whenever you're healthy, you've got an opportunity to go out there and play to the best of your abilities. It's a huge opportunity," said Von Miller. "We've got No. 18. He's looking 100 percent out there. We've got T.J. Ward. All these guys are 100 percent. We've got to take advantage of the opportunity while it's here."
"I'm just trying to win a Super Bowl." - @ESanders_10 https://t.co/iYS8p6FVau pic.twitter.com/F3fcHV1u3c
— Broncos TV (@BroncosTV) January 15, 2016
Likewise, Emmanuel Sanders pointed out not getting too stressed this week but still taking it very seriously.
"This locker room is relaxed, but we don't want to get too relaxed," said the former Steelers wide receiver. "We saw what happened last year, so we want to go out and handle business."
Just like Miller said, DeMarcus Ware says handling business is taking advantage of the opportunity - and that all comes back to staying focused on the Steelers and not looking ahead too far.
"I think every opportunity is your last opportunity because you don't know when the next one is going to come," Ware said, noting that they thought last year's team was heading to the Super Bowl. "But we didn't make it. Now you have another opportunity. Usually they don't come around two years straight. We said, ‘You know what? We have to make this big push. You're getting healthy, I'm getting healthy. All of the other veteran guys and players are pitching in and doing what they need to do to make sure we finish it out the right way.'"
Horse Tracks
Divisional Round preview: Steelers-Broncos - NFL.com
The logic all points to Denver in this matchup. But the playoffs don't often play out logically and every Divisional Round needs a big upset. We can't shake the feeling that Pittsburgh's defense is peaking at the right time and the Steelers have the advantage at quarterback, even if Roethlisberger is not fully healthy. Steelers 17, Broncos 14.
For this year's playoffs, Manning 'is a little more amped up'
Peyton Manning always has an extreme attention to detail, but C.J. Anderson notices something unusually on-point about the veteran QB this week.
Broncos Q&A: Darian Stewart talks Steelers, No. 1 defense, more - The Denver Post
The Broncos' free agent Class of 2015 had cache, and prices to match. But one arrival proved to be the most significant offseason move for the Broncos.
DeMarcus Ware bracing himself for what he hopes is big playoff push - ESPN
Don't worry about his knee brace, says Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware. He had one of his best seasons when he wore a similar one.
Friday's practice a big one for Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown - ESPN
Steelers wideout Antonio Brown did not practice Thursday, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was limited, as we get closer to the Broncos game.
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller blames mozzarella sticks for sickness - The Denver Post
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller revealed Thursday the reason for his surprise absence from Broncos' practice Wednesday — bad mozzarella sticks.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Martavis Bryant: Remarkable catches are routine
Martavis Bryant, the Steelers' "other" receiver, does the outstanding on a frequent basis. We take a look.
Denver Broncos have close eye on Brock Osweiler's knee injury - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Broncos' Brock Osweiler did light throwing to open Thursday's workout, then spent the rest of the practice working on strength and conditioning.
Broncos have No. 1 defensive line, says PFF
With a full 17-week season in the books, it's time to look ahead to the playoffs. Before we dive deep into the postseason, however, it's important to recognize the outstanding play from the year. So, where better to start than the defensive side of the ball?
Mike Tomlin: No game ball given to linebackers coach Joey Porter
When the Steelers left Cincinnati with a wild-card victory in hand, the hope was everyone would look ahead and not back. A date with the Broncos in Denver awaited them and there was little time to focus on The Meltdown and the words exchanged
Why Peyton Manning didn't sign Steelers fans' Terrible Towels
Because those belong to Ben and Bradshaw and "their team's" players to sign.
Throwback Thursday: Champ Bailey returns interception 100 yards in division playoffs
On Jan. 14, 2006, former Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey returned an interception 100 yards in a divisional playoff win over the Patriots.
Explaining the 'Concussion Protocol' | Washington Post
Not a new article, but this outlines the NFL's protocol via RGIII's concussion back in August. Basically, if Antonio Brown is attending team meetings (as some reported), then he has conceivably reached stage 2 of 5 - which would mean it's plausible he could reach stage 5 by Sunday.
As many as eight teams could have interest in Redskins QB Robert Griffin III - NFL Nation - ESPN
Our NFL Nation reporters offer their take on what interest there would be in Robert Griffin III across the league.
Mel Kiper Jr. has Broncos looking offense in his first 2016 mock draft - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
It would be a departure for Gary Kubiak's Broncos to dive into the first round for a running back, but Ezekiel Elliott's athleticism is a perfect fit.
The Haters Are Losing The War On Kickers | FiveThirtyEight
Over time, athletes get stronger and faster, come from a broader talent pool, are better trained, and benefit from ever-growing institutional knowledge of their chosen art.
James Jones: Hoodie is now a 'good luck charm' - NFL.com
Packers wide receiver James Jones told Around The NFL that his trademark hooded sweatshirt is now a "good luck charm." Has Jones been considerably more productive wearing the hoodie?
Winners and losers from Thursday's coaching hires - NFL.com
Colin Kaepernick gets a second chance in San Francisco while Tom Coughlin watches his assistants get promoted in New York. Gregg Rosenthal breaks down Thursday's winners and losers.
Eagles hiring Chiefs OC Doug Pederson as head coach - NFL.com
The Eagles have found Chip Kelly's replacement on Andy Reid's coaching staff. Philadelphia will hire Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson to be its new head coach.