The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to improve their record to 2-0 on the season when they travel to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos in Week 2.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Steelers won against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, 18-10. Meanwhile, the Bo Nix era in Denver was rough, as the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 26-20.
This game was expected to have some extra juice when schedules first came out, as Russell Wilson would be making his first return trip to Denver since his disastrous two-year tenure there. However, his status is up in the air due to a calf injury that kept him out of the Week 1 contest. If Wilson doesn’t go, Justin Fields will get another start.
For the Steelers, here are the keys to beating the Broncos:
Don’t lose to Bo Nix’s legs
Nix had his struggles in Week 1. For a rookie quarterback who was efficient in college, he had just 26 completions for 138 passing yards. Most of his production came after the catch, too, and Nix threw two interceptions.
Later in the game, however, Nix started to rely on his legs. He finished with five rushes for 35 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers can not let him torch them on the ground with his mobility.
If Nix can scramble for chunk gains and get first downs with his legs, this could be a surprisingly long day for the Steeler’s defense against a rookie who will need his legs to keep himself in rhythm.
Do what the Seahawks did well
The Seattle Seahawks gashed the Broncos on the ground in the second half. Believe it or not, Denver’s defense played the run well in the first half. Geno Smith had a huge scramble, though, that ticked that rushing total up significantly.
In the traditional ground game, they allowed nine rushes for 22 yards. Running back Kenneth Walker then got in the second half, totaling 84 yards on 13 carries. This is all without a significant quarterback run game component.
The Steelers need to get into the teeth of this Broncos defense and exploit them on the ground because Pittsburgh does have some capable pass rushers.
This team can rush the passer. However, they struggle against the run and likely will. If the Steelers keep their identity, they can wear the Broncos down throughout the game. This might be a huge game for Fields if they can scheme it upright.
Feed Pat Freiermuth
The Steelers did not attack the middle of the field against the Atlanta Falcons because of Jessie Bates. That is fine, but it took a lot of the route tree for Pat Freiermuth out of the picture. In this game, that can not be the case.
The Steelers need to work a quick game and get something going to exploit these safeties and linebackers. The Steelers can win against a Broncos team that ran an astounding 68 percent man coverage in Week 1.
Freiermuth has the savvy and wiggle to win one-on-one against these linebackers and safeties, and with George Pickens drawing Pat Surtain II, Freiermuth should be the focal point of a quick passing game that feeds the tight end you just paid big money to.
Pittsburgh Steelers need to let Fields cook
One of the biggest issues in Week 1 was the Steeler’s early hesitation to let Field play like he normally does. The offense was extremely bland and safe, and it resulted in a slow start for this team. As the game went on, the offense opened up more, and as a result, Fields looked like more of a complete threat.
With Fields being the starter this week well ahead of the game, the offense has to be ready to work through him this week. Give Fields the reins early and let him show what he can do as a starter for this team.
