Steelers vs. Broncos: Key Players to Watch in Sunday's Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already lost Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Clark for this week's matchup against the Denver Broncos.

That doesn't mean there aren't intriguing players to watch, however. I mean, c'mon, Tim Tebow is in this game. That makes up for the loss of any player right there.

With that being said, here's a look at three of the most important players in this Wild Card showdown. 

Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

Was there any way he wasn't going to make this list?

The Broncos live and die with Tebow. If he's unable to move the ball, a ton of pressure suddenly falls on this defense and it becomes hard to stay in the game. 

If he just manages the game without turnovers, though, and puts together a few scoring drives, things become a lot easier for Denver. Against Pittsburgh's menacing defense, that will be tough.

Tebow can't afford to put together another 50-yard passing game. The Broncos rely heavily on the run, sure, but becoming one dimensional against the Steelers is a very bad thing. And if you think the Denver defense will keep the Broncos in the game like it did in Week 17, remember Ben Roethlisberger is not Kyle Orton.

Von Miller, Denver Broncos

I mentioned the Broncos live and die with Tim Tebow, but that's on offense. The fact may be even more true with Miller on defense.

The Broncos lost three in a row to end the season. The common denominator in those games? Miller didn't record a sack.

Just for perspective, the rookie linebacker recorded a sack in 10 of his first 12 games before that stretch. The cast on his hand is obviously affecting his play, but he needs to get more pressure.

When Denver fails to get pressure, it can't make the big plays that were winning games during the six-game winning streak. It's a lot to ask of a 22-year-old making his first playoff performance, but Miller has to make plays for this defense to be successful.

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

With Rashard Mendenhall out due to an ACL tear, I was tempted to go with his backup, Isaac Redman. The former Bulldog (Georgia? No. Bowie State? Yes.) has been good when spelling Mendenhall and it will be important that he keep defenses honest.

However, the Steelers have been more pass-oriented this season and will likely turn to the air in Mendy's absence. 

So, wouldn't that make Ben Roethlisberger pretty important? Yes, it does, but Brown is the key.

Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver, Mike Wallace has been the focus of the opposing defense week-in and week-out. He's gotten his numbers, yes, but lots of the time everyone else on the field is left in one-on-one coverage.

The Broncos are going to blanket Wallace in this one and that means the second-year wideout will have to make them pay. He's going to have to be big in this one and I think he comes through.