Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Broncos: 4 things to know about their week 2 matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 1-0 on the season. Denver is coming into Pittsburgh in week 2 after losing their first matchup to Tennessee.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tougher challenge this week in the Denver Broncos. Denver is definitely a more talented team than the Giants on both sides of the ball. Both teams showed some rust in week 1.

While Pittsburgh looked better as the game went on, Denver seemed to look worse. The Steelers will need to start faster, while the Broncos will need to finish stronger. There are going to be interesting matchups on both sides of the ball.

The Broncos are boasting a strong defense all over. The offense is loaded with young talent in each skill position. This has all the makings of a close game coming into week 2. The Broncos are going to be a great test for things to come this season.

Denver was dealt a harsh blow with a key injury to Von Miller before the start of the season losing him for 3-6 months.

The Broncos will be without Von Miller who is the face of their defense for most of if not all of the regular season. He was given a 3-6 month time table to return so he may be back by the end of the season or for playoffs. Even with the loss of Miller, the Broncos front 7 is still very talented.

There are still some other studs among the linebackers as a unit. Headed by Bradley Chubb and Alexander Johnson this unit is fast, athletic, and they swarm to the ball. Derrick Henry rushed for over 100 yards in week one, but per ESPN, the Broncos held the NFL’s leading rusher from a year ago to 3.6 yards a carry. They also kept him out of the endzone on multiple rush attempts from less than 5 yards out.

Alexander Johnson had a breakout year in 2019. Per ProFootballReference, Johnson started 12 games. He tallied 1 interception, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 93 tackles, and 5 tackles for a loss. He is big, long, and very athletic. In his first game in 2020 per ESPN, he started fast again, with 12 tackles and a quarterback hit. While watching the game you could see Johnson all over the field and he was at the forefront of holding Derrick Henry under 4 yards per carry.

Bradley Chubb is going to have to step up for Denver’s pass rush this season in a big way. While I’m sure Vic Vangio is going to find ways to get after QB’s without Von Miller, Bradley Chubb was drafted as a pass rusher. Even with a tough Matchup Monday night against Taylor Lewan, Chubb was a non-factor the whole game. He walked out with 0 tackles, sacks, or QB hits on his first game back from an ACL tear last September.

The defensive line is strong as well. Jurrell Casey, who is coming off of 5 consecutive pro bowls, had 6 tackles, batted down 2 passes at the line, and got a hit on Tannehill. Shelby Harris is a force on the interior even though he only notched 4 tackles against the Titans. Mike Purcell is their nose tackle and he is very solid against the run himself notching 5 tackles Monday night.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to be wary of this front 7 with all of the injuries they have had on the offensive line coming into week 2.