Steelers vs. Broncos: Chris Harris Jr. Can Lead Denver to the AFC Championship

It's not often that a cornerback is the deciding factor in a football game, especially with the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning headlining the matchup.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting set to take on the Denver Broncos. They are beat up with the likes of Antonio Brown and Roethlisberger both questionable to play, according to ESPN.com. However, the Steelers can still rely on Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton to carry the load at the wide receiver position. Right?

Wrong. The Broncos have Chris Harris Jr. in their secondary.

"I'm kind of like the quarterback," Harris said in an interview with the Denver Post. "Being able to orchestrate a lot of things out there on the field and being able to run different schemes and coverages."

Rob Leiter/Getty Images

Harris is often overlooked as a shutdown corner, but he deserves more credit than he has received for moving around the field and not just playing the traditional cornerback role.

Not only was Harris the highest-rated cornerback last season, Harris was also the best slot cornerback in football this season, allowing 0.44 yards per coverage snap, according to Pro Football Focus. Even with a bruised shoulder, as reported by Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post, Harris is capable of shutting down any receiver in the NFL.

One storyline that will be interesting to watch is how Harris will play if Brown is cleared after undergoing concussion protocol. Most Steelers fans will recall how Brown torched Harris back on December 20.

Brown finished that game with 16 catches, 189 yards and two touchdowns. Even though Harris wasn't responsible for every catch and score, that matchup stung after the fourth quarter ended.

"It was the best versus the best and [Brown] won," said Harris back in December, per the Mile High Report. "I have not given up a touchdown in two years. The way I played was very disappointing, and I let my team down. [Brown] is a good receiver. He’s the best receiver in the game right now. I just did not make any plays today."

Harris recorded 58 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions this season. While those numbers don't scream elite right away, it's important to remember that quarterbacks avoid targeting their receivers when Harris lines up across the field from them.

Piktochart

According to NFL.com, Harris has allowed just one touchdown this season, while Fox Sports noted he had surrendered zero touchdowns since Nov. 24, 2013.

To put that into perspective, before that nightmarish Steelers game in December, Harris hadn't allowed a touchdown in 756 days.

The Broncos, when healthy, have a very stout defense with the likes of Aqib Talib at the other corner position and DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller rushing the passer. But Harris is the leader of this defense and leads by example through his play.

The Steelers have a lot of weapons on offense even if the cupboard looks bare, but if the Broncos have a chance to advance to the AFC Championship Game, it all starts with the play of their best cornerback.