3 thoughts on the Broncos-Steelers match-up
By Aric Manthey
Thought #1- TO THE BRONCOS: DON’T BEAT YOURSELVES!
Despite owning the #1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, this team did more than
enough to win 14 or 15 games, let alone 12. The reason why we didn’t have a better record? We tripped over our own feet.
You could make the argument that every one of the Broncos 4 losses this season were self-inflicted.
Overly aggressive penalties, turnovers in the opponents field goal range/redzone and inability to make half time adjustments all served as Achilles heels to the Broncos this season. It’s one thing to lose, but to lose knowing that you had every opportunity to win and let it slip through your fingers is devastating.
There is very little margin for error when it comes to playoffs, so the Broncos have to make the most of every opportunity that is given to them. Regardless of who takes the field for the Steelers this Sunday, the Broncos have to be on their “A game” knowing that they can’t afford to create the same pitfalls they did for themselves at times in the regular season.
By no means am I expecting a perfect game from the Broncos, but they have to do everything in their power to limit the margin for mistakes and play meaningful, effective football.
As we’ve learned in the past few years, the seeding and W-L record makes very little difference in the postseason. No opponent should be overlooked in the playoffs, especially one that has won two Super Bowls and has appeared in three in the last decade.