Steelers vs. Broncos: How Much Will Home-Field Advantage Help Denver?

With both home teams winning in Saturday's NFL Wild Card playoff games, it's hard to not discuss the role that home-field advantage did (or did not) play in the victories and whether the two remaining playoff home teams will have similar luck.

The Denver Broncos host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and playing the game on their home field might be one of the few advantages Denver has.

Outmatched on offense and ready to put in backup quarterback Brady Quinn should Tim Tebow struggle, the Broncos will need to rely on its defense to put pressure on hobbled Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and keep the game both low-scoring and close to have a shot at winning.

Home field does provide the Broncos with certain benefits that are universal. The hometown crowd is loud and can thus confound visiting offenses and, ideally, force false starts.

Denver has also won five games at home (as compared to three on the road), and the fact that they are playing today where they feel most comfortable actually does help their chances somewhat.

Ultimately, playing well is what is going to help the Broncos most if they are to defeat the Steelers and advance in the playoffs on Sunday afternoon.

While it does help that they get to take on this formidable opponent on their home turf, they're going to need more than a stadium filled primarily with their own fans to have success today.