The Week 15 matchup between the Denver Broncos’ top-ranked pass defense and the high-flying passing game of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has accounted for more than 350 yards in four of the past five games, would appear to be one of the biggest keys to Sundays game. But Sam Cowhick, who covers the Broncos for Mile High Sports, will have his eye on the running game of both teams first and foremost.
Cowhick joined Notaro and Big Dee on Mile High Sports AM 1340 on Thursday to talk about the ground game, which became a huge concern for Denver last week after rushing for a season-low 34 yards against the Oakland Raiders in a 15-12 loss.
Unfortunately for Broncos fans, Cowhick isn’t certain Denver can bounce back. He says there won’t be any changes to the offensive line that last week allowed that season-low in yards (only 28 by running backs) as well as five second-half sacks to Khalil Mack. Michael Schofield, Denver’s much-maligned right tackle, continues to receive support from head coach Gary Kubiak, despite his struggles and lack of experience.
Pittsburgh is only allowing 88 yards per game rushing, good for sixth in the league, though Cowhick notes that the entire Pittsburgh defense has been “wishy washy” this year, usually playing up to or down to its competition.
In the event that Denver’s run game struggles to get going early, Cowhick doesn’t believe that the offensive line, especially the tackles, are up for the task of protecting Brock Osweiler. Denver has to have success in the first quarter in his estimation, or Osweiler could be in for a long day.
Cowhick rhetorically ponders, “What do you do when your passing game is predicated on play-action, but nobody buys your fake?”
Denver will get C.J. Anderson back against Pittsburgh, which will give them some more options than they had against Oakland. Anderson returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday. He is continuing to nurse an ankle injury that kept him in “emergency use only” status against the Raiders.
On the flip side, Denver’s stout run defense will have a challenge of its own with DeAngelo Williams, the aged backup who has surprised this year in place of the injured Le’Veon Bell. Denver has allowed just 84 yards per game against the run this year and should be back to full health in the front seven against the Steelers after Sylvester Williams became a full participant again this week.
Denver will have to limit Williams, says Cowhick, or overcommitting to the run could give Antonio Brown more opportunities downfield, not to mention Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton.
Big Dee White calls the Steelers “about, if not the best offense in the NFL” right now. That makes for the biggest test of the year for the top-ranked defense, both in yards and scoring. So while it may be tempting to keep an eye on the Broncos “No Fly Zone” secondary and league’s No. 2 receiver, Brown, the best place to look will be in the trenches.
Listen to the full discussion, including Cowhick’s projection on Peyton Manning‘s return date, in the podcast below…
Catch Notaro and Big Dee every Monday-Thursday from 6p-8p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.