Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Frankly, the Denver Broncos have to be feeling very lucky at the moment. The Pittsburgh Steelers were perhaps the most dangerous team in the AFC coming down the stretch, but they have been robbed of much of their talent in recent weeks.
In Week 17, running back DeAngelo Williams was knocked out with an ankle injury, one that is likely to keep him on the sideline through this week. Then last week in the AFC Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals, superstar receiver Antonio Brown was the victim of a late hit by linebacker Vontaze Burfict and sustained a wicked concussion. It appears Brown will also miss the contest.
Most importantly, Ben Roethlisberger suffered both a sprained AC joint and torn ligaments in his right (throwing) shoulder. Roethlisberger will probably give it a go, but he is clearly going to be limited. Against Denver’s defense, this is nothing short of a virtual death sentence for Pittsburgh.
Denver’s offense is rancid and Peyton Manning is beyond done, but the Broncos should be able to win this game at home. Pittsburgh is the walking wounded, and Denver should have enough to score occasionally and perhaps force a few game-changing turnovers.
Pick: Denver 20, Pittsburgh 10