NFL Playoff Picks: Ben Roethisberger's Ankle Will Lead to Fast Exit for Steelers

If we’ve learned anything over the years in the NFL, it’s that we must expect the unexpected.

Who could have ever guessed that the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers would have the seasons they had? Or how about the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts?

Now we have reached the postseason and everybody is penciling in the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Denver Broncos handily. Some linesmakers in Vegas have the spread as high as eight points, despite the game being played at Denver.

May I remind you of the same exact situation last year when the defending Super Bowl champion Saints went into a hostile Seattle environment and came away against a 7-9 team empty-handed?

And Drew Brees was healthy.

Steelers MVP Ben Roethlisberger has been battling a severe high ankle sprain to his left foot and has been reduced to a pocket passer. Big Ben is at his best when flushed from the pocket. If you are able to pressure Roethlisberger, he will be forced into errand throws. Don’t forget the Steelers have a patchwork offensive line as well.

Enter Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.

The Broncos' terrific pass rushing combination has remade the Broncos defense into an opportunistic unit that thrives on pressuring the quarterback. The Achillies heel of the Broncos is their secondary, but if Roethlisberger can’t buy time in the pocket for his teammates to run their routes, it’s a moot point. With Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins expected to be back, Big Ben will have to be aware of his presence on the field at all times.

To make matters worse for the Steelers offense is the loss of RB Rashard Mendenhall. He was the big burly back who also has speed. Backup Isaac Redman is not going to put up nearly the same performance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Steelers have to throw the ball 40-plus times.

It’s hard to imagine the Steelers scoring more than two touchdowns.

Is that enough against a Broncos offense that has been putrid lately?

Tim Tebow is getting destroyed by the media for his play the last three weeks because teams have adjusted to the unorthodox style of offense Denver runs.

Now it’s time for the Broncos to adjust. I expect the offense to loosen up the leash on Tebow and allow him to expose a Steelers secondary that will be missing their leading tackler, Ryan Clark, who was on the field for 98.7 percent of the defensive snaps for Pittsburgh this season. The safety will be replaced by Ryan Mundy, who has two career starts.

As long as Tebow stays away from Troy Polamalu, I think he can have plenty of success throwing the ball. The running game is tops in the NFL and will be able to nurse any sort of fourth quarter lead.

Considering Roethlisberger’s passer rating over his last two starts is 62.1, down from 95.5 before getting hurt on Dec. 8, I think the Broncos jump out to an early lead and milk the clock with the rejuvenated Willis McGahee.

Tebow Time won’t be necessary.

Prediction: Broncos 17, Steelers 13