NFL Playoff Schedule: What Broncos Must Do To Upset Steelers

Despite the fact that the Broncos have a lot working in their favor on Sunday against the Steelers, they are the heavy underdogs. According to Sportsbook, they are nine-point underdogs, and that's valid. The Steelers are still the better team. But that doesn't mean that Denver can't win. 

No, the Broncos have the players in place that can pull this upset. They just need to do things the right way. If Denver is going to pull an upset, all of these things are going to have to work in their favor.

Bring Constant Pressure on Ben Roethlisberger

Anyone who's watched the Steelers play since Ben Roethlisberger hurt himself in Week 14 against the Browns knows that he's clearly hobbled. When Roethlisberger is at his best, he moves around in the pocket (and out of the pocket) extending plays. He can't do that now. 

The Broncos need to bring heavy pressure on Roethlisberger. They can't be afraid of a deep ball from Mike Wallace or Antonio Brown. Sure, that might happen, but turnovers might happen as well. An overmatched underdog can't play like they're afraid to lose. If they play that way, they will lose. 

The advantage to bringing pressure on Roethlisberger is that it can lead to turnovers. The Broncos will need to win the turnover battle to win the game. That will only happen with a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

Keep the Steelers Guessing

The Steelers' defense is too good to be predictable against. Even if the Broncos don't trust Tebow to throw the ball, they need to do some trick run plays. If the Steelers are allowed to keep their focus on Tebow and Willis McGahee, the Broncos are going to struggle to not get shut out. 

Much like blitzing Roethlisberger, the Broncos need to be creative in their attack, and it has to be an attack. They can't drop back and play the field position game. On paper, that looks okay, but Pittsburgh is too talented for that game plan to work.

The Broncos must create the big plays instead of waiting for them to fall into their lap. 

Win the Kicking Game

This is too often overlooked, but the Broncos wouldn't be anywhere near the playoffs without Matt Prater. Even if the first two plans work out perfectly, Denver will need to kick a few field goals, and probably some long ones. 

When Denver lines up for three points, they have to convert. Every time, no exceptions. As a whole, the Broncos can't fail to take advantage of a single opportunity that they get. 

Sunday's NFL Wild Card Schedule

Date	Teams	Time (EST)	TV
Sunday, Jan. 8	Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants	1 p.m.	FOX
Sunday, Jan. 8	Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos	4:30 p..m.	CBS

Divisional Round Schedule

Date	Teams	Time (EST)	TV
Saturday, Jan. 14	New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers	4:30 p.m.	FOX
Saturday, Jan. 14	Pittsburgh Steelers/Denver Broncos at New England Patriots	8 p.m.	CBS
Sunday, Jan. 15	Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens	1 p.m.	CBS
Sunday, Jan. 15	Atlanta Falcons/New York Giants at Green Bay Packers	4:30 p.m.	FOX

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