Steelers: Divisional Round playoff picks

The Steelers have a tough task in Denver; almost as tough as picking the rest of the divisional playoff games.

Last Week: 2-1

As is becoming common once again there is a different look for the Steelers heading into Denver for the divisional playoff game. DeAngelo Williams is out and now so is Antonio Brown. Most people think that Ben Roethlisberger will play but losing number 84 is huge.

He is the best receiver in the league and about 40% of Ben’s passes end up in his hands but as the playoffs intensify Todd Haley must come in with a plan that uses the other weapons at Ben’s disposal. The Broncos are starting Peyton Manning who everyone knows is a great quarterback but has had most of the year off.

Looking back ten years the Steelers beat Manning and the Colts with a lot of pressure and if he was beatable in 2006, than ten years later I would think even half that pressure could make him have to force throws or make mental mistakes.

Again there will be no pick for this game but the current spread is -7.5 for Denver after the initial line was -6.5. If Ben does not play look for the line to jump to around ten points.

SATURDAY: 4:35PM – Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots (-4.5)

It is hard to know exactly what to expect from New England as they ended the season losing to the Jets then the Dolphins and like the Steelers have had to change weekly due to injuries.

The Chiefs on the other hand have continued their winning streak since October 25th but now are in Foxborough which is a very difficult place to win in January. Injuries could very well be the deciding factor. Jeremy Maclin is listed as questionable along with two key defenders for the Chiefs.

Maclin is very important as he and tight end Travis Kelce are Alex Smith’s only real quality targets. For the Patriots, Julian Edelman is still limited in practice and Rob Gronkowski has a back issue. Their official injury report is not yet out for Friday. Let us assume the best for both teams, and then think that New England is at home and had two weeks to prepare. PICK: NEW ENGLAND

SATURDAY: 8:15PM – Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (-7)

Arizona destroyed Green Bay in week 16 winning by thirty points. I don’t think Aaron Rogers and the Packers have forgotten that outcome. I see things being much tighter this time around with much more at stake. PICK: GREEN BAY

SUNDAY: 1:05PM – Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers (-1.5)

This game opened at 2.5 points in favor of the Panthers and while they deserve it with their record and their impressive season, this will surely be the biggest test of Cam Newton’s career. The public seems to think the pressure could way on him, I don’t disagree.

This game is hard to pick. The Seahawks got obscenely lucky last week in Minnesota and now they will be simply playing hard and I believe their playoff experience coupled with the Panthers having two weeks off will not bode well for Carolina. PICK: SEATTLE