Steelers vs Broncos: 5 matchups to watch in week 2

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Alejandro Villanueva. Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
Alejandro Villanueva. Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)

Alejandro Villanueva vs Bradley Chubb

The Steelers found themselves a gem in Villanueva when they signed him as a project player. Mike Munchak, Pittsburgh’s offensive line coach at the time, helped convert him into a starting-caliber left tackle to help protect Big Ben’s blindside.

He had some great seasons once entrenched as the starter but, over time, he has slowed down and last season was one of his worst. The entire line struggled in their first year without Munchak in quite some time so there expectations that they could bounce back in 2020 with Ben back.

Week one saw Villanueva struggle some early on but throughout the game, he seemed to at least find his footing. He will have no time to catch his breath this week as he will go up against a formidable front 7, mainly young stud pass rusher Bradley Chubb.

Chubb is in his third year in the NFL. He is coming off a season in which he had one sack before tearing his ACL and losing his season. His rookie campaign saw him get 12 sacks to prove why the Broncos took him with the fifth overall pick in 2018.

Villanueva has been trending down since last season but he has a chance this week to prove he isn’t done. What better way to get out of a slump than to hold an elite pass rusher in check to help your team win?

Schedule