Broncos vs. Steelers: Full Game Preview

With just three weeks left in the regular season, the importance of each and every game ramps up for teams vying for a division title and a playoff spot, much like the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are coming into Week 15's showdown at Heinz Field.

In what appears to be a matchup of an unstoppable force against an immovable object, the Steelers offense and the Broncos defense will be a dynamic display of football this Sunday on national television.

As a unit, the Broncos defense is allowing the fewest yards per game in the league, with just 272.5 allowed. That includes a league-low 188.2 yards per game through the air and the third-fewest yards on the ground at 84.3 yards per game.

While the numbers look great for the Broncos defense, they need to be nearly perfect each and every week due to the ineptitude of the offense under third-year quarterback Brock Osweiler, who took over for the injured (and ineffective) Peyton Manning five weeks ago. Despite having Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas, Owen Daniels, Vernon Davis, CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman at his disposal, Osweiler and the offense has averaged just 19 points per game in the last four weeks.

That won't be good enough Sunday if the Broncos defense isn't on top of its game against the explosive Steelers offense, which has scored 30-plus points in each of its last five games—four of which have resulted in wins.

As a unit, the Steelers offense racks up the second-most yards per game with 404.8, just 13 yards per game behind the Arizona Cardinals. With those 404.8 yards per game, the Steelers throw for more than 284 yards per game (fifth best) and rush for more than 120 yards per game (ninth best).

That's where the unstoppable force (Steelers offense) versus immovable object (Broncos defense) comes into play. Just based off of this head-to-head matchup, it makes Sunday's game a must-watch contest for fans outside of the two organizations.

Location:  Heinz Field; Pittsburgh

Time:  4:25 p.m., ET

TV: CBS (National Television)

Steelers Week 14 Recap

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AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals (10-3)

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

Baltimore Ravens (4-9)

Cleveland Browns (3-10)

In a showdown with playoff implications and the AFC North title on the line (sort of), the Pittsburgh Steelers knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday by a final score of 33-20.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton broke his thumb on his throwing hand, forcing him out of the game. AJ McCarron took over and played relatively well for much of the game, but the second-year QB out of Alabama threw a pick-six to William Gay to start the half and a late pick to Robert Golden that led to DeAngelo Williams' second one-yard rushing touchdown in the win.

After starting 8-of-8, Ben Roethlisberger cooled off and was held off the score sheet for the first time since returning from multiple injuries.

With the win, the Steelers pulled to within two games of the division-leading Bengals, who will be without Dalton for the rest of the regular season.

Looking to close out a difficult season, the Ravens were blown out by the visiting Seattle Seahawks, 35-6, as Russell Wilson again threw for five touchdowns, three of which were hauled in by Doug Baldwin for the second time in three weeks.

Jimmy Clausen couldn't do much against Seattle's defense, making for a lackluster performance once again by the Ravens offense.

In Cleveland, Johnny Manziel made his return to the starting lineup and led the Browns to their third win of the season, 24-10, over the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Manziel threw for 270 yards to go along with one touchdown and one costly interception.

Latest Steelers News and Notes

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Brown fined for incident in Cincinnati

After engaging in extracurricular activity with Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick following a play on the Steelers' first drive of last Sunday's game, the NFL fined Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown for his part in the post-whistle skirmish, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

It marks the second straight week Brown has been hit with a fine for an incident on the field. Last week, the NFL fined him for his punt return touchdown celebration against the Colts.

Despite Brown getting hit with a fine for some openhanded slaps, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict wasn't fined for his low shot on Ben Roethlisberger, which certainly appeared dirty on film.

Heyward's charity receives donation

Just weeks after being named the Steelers' 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, Cam Heyward received a $10,000 donation from Nationwide on the behalf of his Heyward House charity, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

Heyward continues to be a great face of the franchise off the field for the Steelers.

Latest Steelers Injury News

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Following a tough AFC North battle with the Bengals, the Steelers injury report experienced growth compared to last week, according to the team's official website.

Veteran cornerback William Gay sat out Wednesday's practice with a non-injury-related issue, meaning head coach Mike Tomlin gave the veteran a day off before a big game.

Linebacker James Harrison joined Gay as the other non-injury-related player to sit out Wednesday's practice.

In injury-related news, tight end Matt Spaeth (knee), linebacker Bud Dupree (back), tight end Heath Miller (ribs) and safety Mike Mitchell (shoulder) missed Wednesday's practice. 

Earlier in the week, the coaching staff promoted Dupree to starter ahead of Arthur Moats, while Miller and Mitchell aren't expected to miss Sunday's game against the 10-3 Broncos.

Key Matchups

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Marcus Gilbert vs. Von Miller

One of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL against an improving offensive tackle who has allowed just one sack all season. Something has to give in this game. 

Miller has recorded a sack in five straight games while coming off the right side of the line like a terror opposite the combination of DeMarcus Ware, Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray.

Gilbert has taken a big step forward this season under offensive line coach Mike Munchak. The fourth-year tackle out of Florida has shown the mean streak in the running game that Munchak covets while also displaying enough athleticism to kick off the line and cut off edge-rushers.

If Gilbert can hold Miller at bay, Ben Roethlisberger could have ample time to try and pick apart the Broncos secondary.

Heath Miller vs. Danny Trevathan/Brandon Marshall

Everyone knows about the matchups on the outside between the Steelers and Broncos, but this game could come down to a matchup inside the hash marks.

Heath Miller has been on a roll of late in the Steelers offense, serving as Roehtlisberger's security blanket in and around the middle of the field.

The veteran tight end will draw a tough matchup assignment between Trevathan and Marshall, with Trevathan serving as the best coverage linebacker the Broncos have on the roster, picking off two passes in 2015, including a pick-six against the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago.

Should Miller continue his hot streak, the Steelers offense could really open up the middle of the field on Sunday. However, with the athleticism Trevathan brings to the table, he could effectively take Miller out of the game plan.

Steelers' X-Factor

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Bud Dupree

Based off the way the Oakland Raiders, namely Khalil Mack, rushed the passer last week against Brock Osweiler and the Broncos, Dupree—in his first game as a "starter"—could have a breakout game against the likes of Michael Schofield, who was absolutely destroyed by the fast and powerful Mack.

Although Dupree is nowhere near as effective, explosive or dangerous as Mack is for Oakland, he's as close to Mack as any Steelers pass-rusher in terms of athleticism, speed and build.

Denver has struggled to protect the passer all year. If Dupree can get off the ball quickly against Schofield and bend the edge, he could have a big day getting to the passer.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Broncos 20

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The Steelers offense will be able to do just enough to get by the Broncos in a big game with playoff implications.

Ben Roethlisberger takes what Denver's secondary gives him and dinks and dunks down the field against the trio of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby.

DeAngelo Williams again finds the end zone twice in a Steelers win, providing Pittsburgh with a competent rushing attack to balance out the Broncos pass rush.

Defensively, the Steelers' lucrative pass rush gets to Osweiler four times in the win while also forcing the young quarterback to throw a bad interception.

Demaryius Thomas struggles once again with focus levels, dropping multiple passes, while Emmanuel Sanders scores once in his return to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh keeps their playoff hopes alive in the wild card and AFC North race, while the Broncos start to feel the pressure from the Kansas City Chiefs following the loss to Pittsburgh.

Prediction:  Steelers 23, Broncos 20