Steelers Opponent Breakdown: Running backs, edge rushers key for Denver to pull an upset

By: Donny Chedrick

To no surprise, Von Miller has been Denver's most dominant player this season (Photo creds to ESPN.com)

Today’s game against the Broncos has the potential to look like last week’s last-second victory in Jacksonville.

Denver isn’t that different from the Jags stylistically. The Broncos have a solid defense with a good pass rush, a versatile running game with multiple talented backs and a quarterback in Case Keenum that’s experienced, but has proven not to be a huge threat.

The Steelers may have to play with their third right tackle of the season in the form of rookie third-round pick, Chukwuma “Chuks” Okorafor due to injuries to Marcus Gilbert and Matt Feiler. Okorafor will have his hands full on the edge with Denver’s great pass rush tandem. The Broncos may have one of the best pair of pass rushers in the league with Von Miller and rookie Bradley Chubb. That grouping will bring headaches to Okorafor and left tackle Al Villanueva as they try to keep Ben Roethlisberger off the ground.

Miller may not reach his career-high of 18 sacks, but he is on pace for 16.5, which is a great season for anyone. The less established Chubb has a chance to make history.. The first round pick out of North Carolina State has nine sacks and is on pace to reach 14.5 – a rookie record set by Jevon Kearse back in 1999. The Broncos blitz can bring a whole bag of issues for the Steelers on Sunday.

Something the Steelers had some trouble with, mainly in the first half, against Jacksonville was the Jaguars’ diverse running game. The trio of Leonard Fournette, TJ Yeldon and Carlos Hyde may be more dangerous than what Denver has to offer, but it is similar. The Broncos have three guys that can run the football with some success with the group of rookies Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to go with Devontae Booker. The pair of rookies both have five touchdowns this year, but Lindsay has been slated as the main back as he has collected 670 yards on 121 carries. Freeman has run the ball 78 times for 332 yards.

The third threat is Booker, who can do as much damage receiving as he can rushing. The former Utah Ute has 25 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown running the ball this year along with 162 yards on 23 receptions. Last week, Pittsburgh allowed more than 100 yards in the first half to Jacksonville but was able to shut it down in the second half. This time, the Steelers look to completely wipe out the opponent’s run game.

This past off-season,  Keenum signed a 2-year, $36 million contract with the Denver Broncos after quarterbacking the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship game. To this point, it is pretty hard to say that he’s earned his pay. Kenneum is 229-362 (63.3%), with 2,605 yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a QBR of 83.4, while his team is 4-6 and in third place of the AFC West.

Denver’s season is basically on the line Sunday. A win keeps the Broncos alive in the wild card hunt, but a loss virtually ends the season, so Keenum will have to rise up against a Steelers defense that allowed just over 100 yards to Blake Bortles last week. If I’m a betting man, I wouldn’t bet on Keenum being the guy to beat the Steelers.