Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys to Victory Against Denver

On Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) will host the Denver Broncos (10-3) in a crucial AFC matchup. The outcome of this game will largely effect the playoff picture for both of these teams.

The Steelers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL as they have won four of their last five games. In the five-game span, they are averaging over 35 points per game. However, when it comes to the AFC playoff picture, the Steelers are on the outside looking in. A win on Sunday and a loss by either the New York Jets or Kansas City Chiefs will put them in one of the two wildcard spots. If that were to be the case, the Steelers would then control their own destiny with two weeks remaining.

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The Broncos got off to a great start in 2015 when they went a perfect 7-0 in the teams first seven games. Since then, they have gone 3-3 but still find themselves first in their division and are currently the #3 seed in the AFC. They are being led by backup quarterback, Brock Osweiler who has gone 3-1 since taking over for the injured Peyton Manning. This game will mark the fourth time over the Steelers last five that they will play against a team’s backup quarterback. They are 3-0 in the previous three games.

If the Steelers want to make it to 9-5 and improve their chances of making the playoffs, they will have to play fundamentally sound in all three phases of the game. More specifically, they will have to perform well in these five areas.

Here are the five keys to victory against the Denver Broncos.

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