Steelers vs. Broncos: TV Schedule, Odds, Ticket Info, Game Time and More

As far as postseason rematches go, it doesn't figure to get any better than Sunday's encounter between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos.  

Pittsburgh did the borderline unthinkable in Week 15, posting 34 points in a victory against the Broncos. The Steelers were the only team to post more than 30 points against the Denver defense on the season, and Ben Roethlisberger was the only quarterback to throw for 300 yards against the unit.

One problem—the Steelers could be without Big Ben, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back DeAngelo Williams for the rematch, while the Broncos have Peyton Manning starting under center for the first time since Week 10.

So yes, this one has more intrigue than most. Here's everything to know about what is sure to be a heated rematch.

Game Details

When: Sunday, January 17, at 4:40 p.m. ET

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver

Television: CBS

Tickets: ScoreBig.com

Spread: Denver (-7)

Team Injury Reports

NAME	STATUS
Ben Roethlisberger, QB	Questionable
Antonio Brown, WR	Questionable
DeAngelo Williams, RB	Questionable

NAME	STATUS
Brock Osweiler, QB	Questionable
DeMarcus Ware, DE	Probable

Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.

Finding the Spark 

As part of an impressive three-game tear near the end of the season, the Steelers took down the Broncos behind 380 yards and three scores by Big Ben, two of which went to Brown, who also added 189 yards. Williams rushed for just 26 yards on 14 carries.

Now the Steelers might be without all three—or at least with any number of the three limited.

"We got lucky the first time," said Roethlisberger, according to ESPN.com. "We made plays, they had guys injured, we were at home. It's not going to be that easy (again)."

Big Ben left last weekend's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a shoulder injury. He returned, but it was clear he couldn't push the ball down the field. Brown left with a concussion, and Williams didn't even suit up.

If Big Ben cannot go, it will be Landry Jones under center on the road against a Denver defense that ranked fourth in scoring at 18.5 points allowed per game. In spot duty the backup completed just 58.2 percent of his passes with three touchdowns to four interceptions.

The Steelers would also have to hope the duo of Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton could make up for the lack of Brown's 10 touchdowns and Fitzgerald Toussaint for Williams' 10 scores if neither can go.

Even if all three wind up playing, it's important to point out that the Broncos missed safeties T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart and Omar Bolden in the first meeting. So regardless, more pressure than usual goes on a Pittsburgh defense that ranked 30th against the pass in the regular season.

If Pittsburgh did it once, it can do it again. This time the Steelers might need the "next man up" approach to shine, though.

The Return

Manning looked healthy in a 27-20 season-ending win against the San Diego Chargers. He only attempted nine passes but led scoring drives in relief of sudden turnover machine Brock Osweiler.

Call it all the Broncos needed to contend for a Super Bowl.

Everything mentioned about the Von Miller-defense so far already classified the Broncos as contenders. A healthy Manning who can line up under center or out of the shotgun and actually drive with power through his foot makes all the difference for the offense.

Look at it this way—Osweiler tossed three touchdowns against the putrid Pittsburgh pass defense in the first meeting. Emmanuel Sanders caught 10 passes for 181 yards and a score, and Demaryius Thomas caught five for 61 and two. On Sunday, the offense diversifies with a healthy Manning under center, making the unit even more dangerous.

"He looked like the old [No.] 18," Thomas said of Manning's return, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold. "He's healthy."

For the Broncos it's as simple as lining up and playing their game, leaning on the hope Manning's as healthy as he sounds and can hit all the throws necessary to control the clock and keep what might be a Big Ben-led offense off the field.

It's a rather storybook way for the Broncos to hit the playoffs. Executing against a banged-up opponent is what stands between the team and the next round.

Prediction

There are simply too many questions surrounding the Steelers to give them the nod here, even if Manning turns out to be a colossal bust. 

At best, Big Ben might be able to execute a short-passing attack that can attempt to make up for a lack of a running game against an elite defense. But that's a recipe for disaster on the road against the Broncos.

As such, Manning shouldn't have any problems controlling the clock in this one and leaning on his elite supporting cast of wideouts, not to mention the defense. In what might turn out to be a bit of a more defensive affair than most would expect, look for the Broncos to pull away in the second half.

Prediction: Broncos 28, Steelers 20 

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of January 14. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All betting information courtesy of Odds Shark.