Predicting the outcome of Steelers Week 2 matchup vs. Broncos

The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed their first victory against the Giants on Monday. Here’s how I see their first home game playing out against the Denver Broncos in Week 2.

Steelers fans couldn’t ask for much more than the victory we witnessed on Monday Night Football. After what seemed like the longest offseason in the history of the National Football League, Pittsburgh had a surprisingly smooth start to the season.

This goes against the trend in recent years, as they were pummeled by New England in Week 1 of last year and tied the Cleveland Browns in their opener in 2018. Admittedly, not everything went perfectly against the Giants. There were a couple of big fumbling scares with Diontae Johnson and Benny Snell, and a few key injuries that could really shake things up on the offensive line.

Still, there is plenty of reason to believe in this unit moving forward. In Week 2, the Steelers play host to the Denver Broncos – a team that managed just 14 points in Week 1 in a home loss to the Tenessee Titans. To make matters worse, Denver is dealing with a number of key injuries – none bigger than the one to Von Miller. The three-time All-Pro pass rusher was recently placed on injured reserve.

Broncos @ Steelers predictions

I could see this game going one of two ways: The Steelers could either win a close contest in a defensive struggle, or they could blow the Broncos out of the water. This shouldn’t be a game that Pittsburgh loses.

Mike Tomlin’s team is 7.5-point favorites to open the week, courtesy of The Action Network. This is more than double the initial point differential in the Giants game. As their Week 1 contest got closer to gameday, the line shifted to make the Steelers 6-point favorites against the Broncos.

It will be interesting to see which way the needle turns in this contest. Obviously, oddsmakers already knew that right tackle Zach Banner would not be available to play. Fortunately, his backup, Chukwuma Okorafor, will not have to go up against Von Miller. It’s possible this line could grow even further apart before kickoff on Sunday.

With Pittsburgh’s defense already off to a fast start, I can’t see this unit allowing more than a pair of touchdowns at the most in Week 2 against Drew Lock and company. The Steelers have also had very good success against young quarterbacks under Mike Tomlin.

In addition, Ben Roethlisberger is off to a much faster start than anyone could have expected. Though he wasn’t perfect in Week 1, he threw for 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions and got more comfortable throwing the ball as the game went on.

Denver is an uncommon opponent and Pittsburgh sometimes struggles in these games, but I have them handily taking care of business at Heinz Field in Week 2 against an inferior opponent.

Score prediction: Steelers 28 Broncos 17

A 2-0 start is exactly what the Steelers could use in a season with Super Bowl aspirations. If they can continue to take care of business against lesser opponents, perhaps they will have a chance to compete with the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title this year.