The Denver Broncos are three-point underdogs to the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 12. How can they prove doubters wrong?
The Broncos host Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, James Connor, and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Oddsshark.com predicts that Denver will fall three points short of getting a victory.
The Steelers are projected to beat the Broncos in most of the offensive statistical categories:
Total Score: 29.90-22.80
Passing yards: 312.50-247.10
Offensive Time of Possession: 30:50-28:36
Number of Plays: 66.30-62.80
Yards Per Play: 6.19-5.92
The only category that oddsmakers are giving the edge to Denver is rushing yards. Denver is projected to gain 124.80, while Pittsburgh is projected to gain 97.70.
Both teams have spectacular running backs and the rushing projections for both teams is not surprising.
Denver rookie running back Phillip Lindsay has been the life of the offense this season, totaling 670 yards on the ground so far, ranking eighth overall and second among rookie running backs (Saquon Barkley, Giants).
It is no surprise that the Broncos are underdogs yet again. They have not had success on a consistent basis for people to take them very seriously.
Denver is coming off a victory over their division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, for just their fourth victory of the season. Sunday’s victory over Los Angeles was important because the Broncos showed that they are, in fact, able to win close games, rather than lose every close game.
They need to stay focused, coaches and players, have a great game plan in place, and score as often as they can.
Containing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back James Connor is going to be an important task for the Broncos to accomplish. If they can do that, they should have a lot better of a chance of coming away with a victory.
Sticking to the run will also be a crucial part of Sunday’s game for the Broncos if they are going to win. Through 10 weeks, Lindsay is averaging 67 yards a game. Last week, he scored two touchdowns.
Do something like that again, and the Broncos could very well prove the oddsmakers wrong.