Div Round vs. Broncos

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Let's keep this goin!

(my lost avy bet is now my very own curse, one that I "proudly" bear... Superstition)

Injuries:
PIT... Ben's nursing a shoulder sprain (slight separation). Hasn't tested the arm yet, and likely won't until Thursday. AB is still in concussion protocol and early media reports aren't good. But I'll wait until the Steelers release something before I start worrying. D-Will flew down to NC to visit a foot specialist. Not necessarily a kiss of death, but definitely doesn't give any confidence that he will suit up this week. Golden is nursing a shoulder injury, no update yet. W-Johnson, a somewhat under the radar yet big injury, suffered a grade 2 hammy pull. No status update on him, but considering how much this offense uses the FB, that is awful news. Nix is already done for the year. That means the run game will suffer if W-Johnson isn't playing.

DEN... Osweiller, who hadn't practiced in 10 days, rejoined the group. Demarcus Ware is back after sitting out week 17 to rest his knee. This time around they will have TJ Ward at safety. Chris Harris Jr. is nursing a shoulder injury but doesn't look serious. The other safety Darian Stewart has a bad hammy and is considered probable.

Analysis:
O... This unit is going to have to play absolutely mistake free to win this game. The offense is banged up and they are going up against arguably their toughest opponent yet. Yea they played them before, but DEN wasn't at full strength on D. They will have their starting safeties back so passing yards are going to be a little bit tougher to come by. Add in the uncertain availability of PIT's best offensive weapon (AB), and you have a bad recipe for success. Bryant & Wheaton are going to have to step up big this week. D-Will doesn't look to be back just yet so expect another healthy dose of TNT (Touissant & Todman). They are going to be putting a lot of pressure on the O-line again. They stood tall against CIN, so I feel pretty confident about them against DEN. With Ben's shoulder I'm assuming we are going to see more dink & dunk offense than we are accustomed to this season. But there's still the possibility that Ben might not play, so there's that as well. Yikes.

D... One of the more favorable matchups on paper. Manning doesn't have the arm to threaten them deep, which has been their achilles heel this season. The battle will need to be won in the trenches though. DEN has been having a lot of success with the running game so don't expect them to shy away from it. If PIT can take the ground game away and force the ball into Manning's hands more often then I think good things will happen. Front 7 & LBers need a repeat performance.

Overall... I've got a creeping euphoric type feeling that this team could be another 2005 team of destiny. Even with all the injuries, I still expect the same amount of passion this week. Motivation is still at an all time high. I'm definitely worried about the offense in this one, and will be praying for speedy recoveries this week. It's going to be a very tough game. Mile High hasn't treated us very well over the years and DEN has had 2weeks to prepare. I'm going to go with another 2005-vs.-Indy/Manning-esque gritty win. Ugly, but advancing.

PIT 24 - DEN 20

GO STEELERS!!!!

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

I agree face.

I think Pitt 21 - Den 17.

The injuries to Ben, D-Will and AB will get all the attention but with Nix out Will Johnson's status could be the real killer.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Let's keep this goin!

(my lost avy bet is now my very own curse, one that I "proudly" bear... Superstition)

Injuries:
PIT... Ben's nursing a shoulder sprain (slight separation). Hasn't tested the arm yet, and likely won't until Thursday. AB is still in concussion protocol and early media reports aren't good. But I'll wait until the Steelers release something before I start worrying. D-Will flew down to NC to visit a foot specialist. Not necessarily a kiss of death, but definitely doesn't give any confidence that he will suit up this week. Golden is nursing a shoulder injury, no update yet. W-Johnson, a somewhat under the radar yet big injury, suffered a grade 2 hammy pull. No status update on him, but considering how much this offense uses the FB, that is awful news. Nix is already done for the year. That means the run game will suffer if W-Johnson isn't playing.

DEN... Osweiller, who hadn't practiced in 10 days, rejoined the group. Demarcus Ware is back after sitting out week 17 to rest his knee. This time around they will have TJ Ward at safety. Chris Harris Jr. is nursing a shoulder injury but doesn't look serious. The other safety Darian Stewart has a bad hammy and is considered probable.

Analysis:
O... This unit is going to have to play absolutely mistake free to win this game. The offense is banged up and they are going up against arguably their toughest opponent yet. Yea they played them before, but DEN wasn't at full strength on D. They will have their starting safeties back so passing yards are going to be a little bit tougher to come by. Add in the uncertain availability of PIT's best offensive weapon (AB), and you have a bad recipe for success. Bryant & Wheaton are going to have to step up big this week. D-Will doesn't look to be back just yet so expect another healthy dose of TNT (Touissant & Todman). They are going to be putting a lot of pressure on the O-line again. They stood tall against CIN, so I feel pretty confident about them against DEN. With Ben's shoulder I'm assuming we are going to see more dink & dunk offense than we are accustomed to this season. But there's still the possibility that Ben might not play, so there's that as well. Yikes.

D... One of the more favorable matchups on paper. Manning doesn't have the arm to threaten them deep, which has been their achilles heel this season. The battle will need to be won in the trenches though. DEN has been having a lot of success with the running game so don't expect them to shy away from it. If PIT can take the ground game away and force the ball into Manning's hands more often then I think good things will happen. Front 7 & LBers need a repeat performance.

Overall... I've got a creeping euphoric type feeling that this team could be another 2005 team of destiny. Even with all the injuries, I still expect the same amount of passion this week. Motivation is still at an all time high. I'm definitely worried about the offense in this one, and will be praying for speedy recoveries this week. It's going to be a very tough game. Mile High hasn't treated us very well over the years and DEN has had 2weeks to prepare. I'm going to go with another 2005-vs.-Indy/Manning-esque gritty win. Ugly, but advancing.


PIT 24 - DEN 20

GO STEELERS!!!!
View attachment 76047

Great job per norm Face!

With all of the BS that went down, I'm still mentally wrapped up with the CIN game, but it is time to turn my attention to DEN as well.

I'll wait another day before offering up my thoughts on this game, but generally speaking they can win w/o DWill and AB, but not w/o Ben so that's crucial.

 

[MISKO]

Great job per norm Face!

With all of the BS that went down, I'm still mentally wrapped up with the CIN game, but it is time to turn my attention to DEN as well.

I'll wait another day before offering up my thoughts on this game, but generally speaking they can win w/o DWill and AB, but not w/o Ben so that's crucial.

i think ben will play .. nuthin will keep him out of there .. the guy just wants to win

 

[ATL96Steeler]

i think ben will play .. nuthin will keep him out of there .. the guy just wants to win

I think he's going to give it go as well...just not sure what he will be able to do.

Thursday will be D-day I think...they are going to give him every opportunity to play, but he's going to have to show something in practice eventually.

If Vick is active...not a good sign.

 

[Bridgeburner]

Just not feeling this one with all the injuries on offense against that defense. Until I hear that Ben and Anonion are not only playing but are at near 100% I have to like Denver in this one.

Denver 23 Pittsburgh 12

 

[evolver115]

That doesn't sound good. But, I guess an AC joint sprain = torn ligaments?

Hope Ben can get himself healthy enough to start on Sunday

 

[cdumler7]

That doesn't sound good. But, I guess an AC joint sprain = torn ligaments?

Hope Ben can get himself healthy enough to start on Sunday

An AC Joint Sprain is a fancy way of saying separated shoulder. Depending on the grade of the injury yes torn ligaments can be a part of that. My guess is then that this is a grade II separation. Not impossible for him to play with but even with pain meds this is going to be probably one of the most painful games of his life. As he did in this last game the short throws shouldn't be too much of a problem. He can change up his delivery just a bit to help protect the shoulder. If he is forced to go deep with it though and have full extension on the follow through oh man it would not surprise me to see him drop to the ground even without getting hit because of the pain. Accuracy is going to be the biggest question. When you don't follow through balls have a tendency to go all over the place.

Got to love the fight in your QB. No questioning his toughness even if he doesn't play the fact that he tried to fight to play is enough to easily earn my respect for his love of the game and his team.

 

[Bridgeburner]

PFT is reporting that things aren't looking good for AB.

No AB + Gimpy Ben = Diarrhea for Bridgeburner

 

[NorthCoastSteelersFan]

Last I heard, this is probably a grade I "separation," and there's a lot that can be done for that. I guess we'll see. But I'd be a lot happier if news out of the Burgh wasn't so slow in coming.

 

[cdumler7]

Last I heard, this is probably a grade I "separation," and there's a lot that can be done for that. I guess we'll see. But I'd be a lot happier if news out of the Burgh wasn't so slow in coming.

Pretty sure when he says there are multiple ligaments torn in the shoulder that a grade 1 is out of the picture.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

That doesn't sound good. But, I guess an AC joint sprain = torn ligaments?

Hope Ben can get himself healthy enough to start on Sunday

No, they are two different things. I think Ben is exaggerating his injuries again. How many times has he done that now???

 

[cdumler7]

No, they are two different things. I think Ben is exaggerating his injuries again. How many times has he done that now???

Now yes you can have an AC Joint Sprain with no torn ligaments but you can have an AC Joint Sprain and have torn ligaments. It all depends on the severity of the injury. Now could he be exaggerating the extent of the injuries yeah. This is the NFL where sometimes false information can really help you team where maybe the Broncos don't think he can throw it deep and right off the bat he goes deep to a side open receiver. Still him saying that he has an AC Joint Sprain can mean he does have torn ligaments but still try to play.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Now yes you can have an AC Joint Sprain with no torn ligaments but you can have an AC Joint Sprain and have torn ligaments. It all depends on the severity of the injury. Now could he be exaggerating the extent of the injuries yeah. This is the NFL where sometimes false information can really help you team where maybe the Broncos don't think he can throw it deep and right off the bat he goes deep to a side open receiver. Still him saying that he has an AC Joint Sprain can mean he does have torn ligaments but still try to play.

Ben is well known for giving out false or missleading info about his injuries that when asked the team has no knowledge of. Don't know for sure that's the case here but he has a history of this.

 

[cdumler7]

Ben is well known for giving out false or missleading info about his injuries that when asked the team has no knowledge of. Don't know for sure that's the case here but he has a history of this.

Which wouldn't surprise me. I will say though watching when he did come back into the game his throwing motion was much different than earlier in the game. So I do think there is something there but maybe not as severe as he has said.

 

[Bridgeburner]

Ben's hilarious talking about his injuries.

Reporter: How's the hamstring?
Ben: Completely gone. Lost it when that dragon bit my leg off in Baltimore.
Reporterragon? But your leg is...
Ben: ...growing back. Yeah. I work out.
Reporter: Will you play Sunday?
Ben: I will play yesterday. But we'll have to see what the medical staff think and see how much has grown back.
Reporter: This is awkward because your leg wasn't bit off by a dragon.
Ben: It grew back. Like a tail. Or a third nipple.
Reporter: I don't know how to respond to this.
Ben: I work out.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

No practice today for Ben or AB... Not a good sign for Ben. Today was the day he was going to test himself unofficially. Thursday was the original target for actual practice. So we'll get a better picture tomorrow.

Ben Roethlisberger didn't throw at all Wednesday

 

[MISKO]

No practice today for Ben or AB... Not a good sign for Ben. Today was the day he was going to test himself unofficially. Thursday was the original target for actual practice. So we'll get a better picture tomorrow.

Ben Roethlisberger didn't throw at all Wednesday

you mean he couldnt test the arm and not tell anybody ? i would play this out to the last second before I said he was ready to go .. make em prepare for jones or vick

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

you mean he couldnt test the arm and not tell anybody ? i would play this out to the last second before I said he was ready to go .. make em prepare for jones or vick

Truth. As @Ewa PGH Fan said, wouldn't be the first time Ben played opossum.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Truth. As @Ewa PGH Fan said, wouldn't be the first time Ben played opossum.

Yup! I think Ben doesn't get above limited participant in practice this week. Keep DEN guessing until kickoff.