8PM : Invesco Field at Mile High : TV- FOX
Tonight is a big night for a lot of Steelers. The first teamers are expected to play close to two full quarters and a lot of guys will get some real, extended looks. Maurkice Pouncey is starting at center. Dennis Dixon will see lots of first team reps. Keenan Lewis and Will Allen will start, as well and Matt Stewart will long snap.
Mike Tomlin has been calling this game a “dress rehersal” and the team has been treating it as a regular season contest all week. I’m betting we’ll see some regular season intensity for at least a couple quarters too.
Here we go.
Injuries
Steelers
This is a mystery for the most part, but I do know the following:
FS Ryan Clark – Out (Health reasons)
CB Bryant McFadden – Out (Pectoral muscle)
Broncos
No clue…10 minutes of searching yielding nothing.
Three Things to Watch
1. Special teams battles
As I mentioned earlier, Matt Stewart will be long snapping instead of Greg Warren and Emmanuel Sanders has been pushing Stefan Logan on returns. The Broncos have also looked terrible on punt coverage this preseason so watch out.
2. Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow
If there are ever two quarterbacks who I’d love to see a Steelers linebacker punish, these would be them. Just a shame it’s unlikely either will be on the field the same time as James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
3. Keenan Lewis
Lewis is getting a start opposite Ike Taylor tonight and it looks like he may have jumped over Willie Gay on the depth chart. This will be our first real, extended look at him since the team drafted him and he has been playing much better this season in limited action. Could this be a coming out party for him?
Predictions
Bam says: No clue why, but I’m feeling a shootout tonight. The Steelers defense is a bit banged up and I’m guessing somebody like Eddie Royal will make a few big plays. I think both teams will be pretty aggressive in throwing the ball and practicing things like hurry-up offenses. Look for both backup units to put up some points, but the Steelers come up on top with a few late defensive stands to remain unbeaten in the preseason. Steelers 34 Broncos 24
Brian says: Tim Tebow sees limited action due to minor injuries, Brady Quinn throws at least 2 interceptions in 4th-quarter mop-up duty. Steelers 33 Broncos 24
