NFL divisional round picks: Predicting each playoff game

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (-6.5)

Ben Roethlisberger might play in this game, but how effective will he be? He is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory over the Bengals last week. The Steelers could also be without Antonio Brown, who suffered a concussion. DeAngelo Williams could also be out again.

If both are out, forget about it. This Denver defense is suffocating and they will dominate if Landry Jones is in at quarterback without Brown to throw the football to. The Steelers have to hope both are ready to go, and that they can find some rhythm similar to what they achieved in the previous meeting between these two teams earlier in the year.

The only difference here is that this game is in Denver. Playing a mile above sea level is tough of road teams. At home, the Broncos are capable of beating anybody.

It’s a shame that the Steelers won’t enter this game fully healthy. Even if Big Ben and Brown take the field, Roethlisberger is going to be gutting it out. But he’s as tough as they come, so don’t put it past him putting in a great performance.

This one should be entertaining, but it’s hard to see anything other than a Broncos victory with a banged up Steelers offense.

Pick: Denver 20, Pittsburgh 14

Last week: 3-1
Regular season: 147-98
Postseason: 3-1