3 threatening Broncos players Steelers must gameplan against in Week 2

The Steelers are riding high after a Week 1 victory, but their trip to Denver won’t be a walk in the park. Fresh off a win against the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh now faces the Broncos on Sunday. Denver, coming off a tough 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in which rookie QB Bo Nix struggled in his NFL debut, will be eager to rebound.

Though the Broncos are rebuilding, playing in the Mile High City has never been easy for the Steelers. Last week’s win came without an offensive touchdown—something that won’t likely work again, especially against a team looking to bounce back.

If Pittsburgh wants to leave Denver with a win, they’ll need to focus on these three key players.

CB, Patrick Surtain

One of the league's premier cornerbacks just inked a massive deal with a 4-year, $96 million extension, solidifying his place among the highest-paid defensive backs. Expect him to shadow George Pickens throughout the game. If the Steelers hope to establish any semblance of a passing attack, Pickens will need to prove, yet again, that he's among the league's top receivers.

A tough outing against Surtain could spell trouble for the offense, especially with the rest of the WR corps combining for just two catches and eight yards last game. Surtain is a game-changer, capable of completely neutralizing any team's top receiver, and he's not just Denver's best player—he's the biggest challenge for Pittsburgh to game plan around in Week 2.

RG, Quinn Meinerz

Another player who recently secured a contract extension is also regarded as one of the top guards in the NFL. For the second week in a row, the Steelers defensive line will face an elite guard, presenting a tough challenge. However, if the Steelers front seven can replicate their performance from last week, they'll be well-positioned for another dominant defensive showing.

LT, Garrett Boles

After a rocky start to his career, Boles has grown into one of the better tackles in the game. The Broncos offensive line is known for its physical style, but Boles faces a tough challenge going up against Alex Highsmith. For Pittsburgh's defense, it's crucial to come out of the gate with intensity. Last week, the Falcons marched down the field with ease on their opening drive. This time, the defense must set the tone from the very first snap, making it clear that they'll be the more physical team from the jump.

Thoughts on Steelers vs. Broncos Week 2:

The Steelers have a more complete roster, but playing in Denver is never easy, and no NFL team can be underestimated. The Broncos offense struggled mightily against Seattle, and they'll be eager to get back on track, but that’s a tall order with a rookie quarterback facing one of the league's top defenses.

Meanwhile, Justin Fields and the Steelers' offense need to find the end zone and find it consistently. Mike Tomlin's approach emphasizes strong defense and ball security, but it’s not realistic to rely solely on that every week. At some point, the offense has to step up and score more points.

Even the conservative offense we've seen over the past couple of seasons needs to open up, especially in the passing game, to fully evaluate Fields as the potential team's long-term starter. The Broncos should be a weaker opponent, and this is the perfect opportunity for the Steelers to prove it and show that they’re a well-rounded, complete football team.