Pittsburgh Steelers

Six Points: Broncos at Steelers

Published Dec. 18, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Something is going to give when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Denver Broncos this Sunday.

Pittsburgh (8-5) has scored at least 30 points in five straight games, and Ben Roethlisberger has averaged 363 passing yards during the streak. While the Steelers' offense has been red hot, Broncos safety T.J. Ward said this week that it's because they have yet to face the "No Fly Zone."

Denver (10-3) hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer or a 30-point game all season. Last Sunday, the Broncos held leading rookie receiver Amari Cooper without a catch and limted Michael Crabtree to 19 yards on four catches.

The Steelers need this game to stay with the Chiefs and Jets in the three-horse race for the two wild card spots in the AFC. The Broncos, on the other hand, are in a three-horse race with Cincinnati and New England for a first-round bye.

Here are three keys to the game for both the Broncos and Steelers:

Can you beat the Crowd's Line? Submit your final score prediction below. Good luck!

BRONCOS

1. Someone please help Brock Osweiler out

Denver didn't do their young replacement quarterback any favors in Week 14. First, Khalil Mack (5 sacks) ripped through blockers with little resistance. Then, pass-catchers like Vernon Davis and Demaryius Thomas recorded drops that changed the game's outcome. Protection issues and mental mistakes can't pop up again in the Steel City.

2. Re-establish C.J. Anderson

Anderson was forced to exit last weekend's game before the team could get him going on the ground. The end result? A season-low 34 rushing yards against a Raiders team surrendering over 100 per contest. It'll be tougher this week with linebacker Ryan Shazier patrolling the middle, but not impossible.

3. Don't let Big Ben break your defensive streak:

No quarterback has gone for 300 passing yards against this Broncos secondary. But no quarterback is as skilled a deep ball thrower as Ben Roethlisberger (averaging 363.0 passing yards over the Steelers' last five games). It'll be on cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib to keep Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant in check. The team that wins that titanic matchup will probably win.

STEELERS

1. Go to Wheaton early and often

In Week 12, the Seattle Seahawks did a great job covering Brown and Bryant, but they forgot about Markus Wheaton who had a monster day with 13 catches for 201 yards. Harris and Talib will likely be shadowing Brown and Bryant, but getting the ball to Wheaton early will loosen up the secondary some by forcing the Broncos to at least pay a little attention to the team's No. 3 wideout.

2. Get creative with Brown

While Harris will be looking to limit Brown the way Richard Sherman did in Seattle, the Steelers must find ways to get the ball in the hands of their best playmaker. He's already returning punts to get extra touches, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley should also be looking for Brown with some bubble screens and perhaps a few running plays.

3. Blitz Brock

Osweiler has come back to earth the last few games and the Steelers need to turn up the heat against the inexperienced quarterback. No single player on defense has the ability to get five sacks as Mack did for Oakland last week, but a return of the Blitzburgh defense would be a welcomed addition at Heinz Field.