Peyton healthy, ready to face Steelers

The Broncos are preparing to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC second-round playoff game Sunday in Denver. The one time he bit his cheek and gunned it, the ball sailed high over wide receiver Antonio Brown’s head. Osweiler worked out on the side Wednesday but did not participate in practice.

When it comes to Brown, he is in the concussion protocol this week, and his return is not that likely.

The Steelers had the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals beat during the regular season only to lose.

Mike Tomlin gives an update on Roethlisberger and Brown in his weekly press conference.

“I looked at him, he looked at me and we knew where we were”, Tomlin said. I think we’ve seen growth, because you see a guy who a lot people didn’t anticipate making the team, but he’s put the work in and he has confidence.

There should be more clarity about the injured players’ participation against the Broncos as the week progresses, but you don’t replace 136 receptions, 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns overnight. “We’ve had guys step up all year”.

QB on QB: Roethlisberger has all of the respect in the world for Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Broncos and Steelers face off in the AFC divisional round Sunday. Now the Broncos’ secondary is healthy and it’s the Steelers who are dealing with some major injuries. “The only way to get rid of a loss like that…is to win”, Bailey said.

“Having competed against him I know he’s a tough, tough dude and he understands how special these opportunities are”, Lynch continued “I’m sure he’s doing everything possible and it’s just kind of a wait and see”.

SERIES HISTORY: 31st meeting.

Following the merger, the Steelers quickly cast aside their losing history and became a perennial playoff contender, winning four Super Bowl titles during a stretch of eight consecutive playoff appearances between 1972 and 1979. Several judgment calls throughout the game swayed momentum in favor of the Steelers, but they were also aided by the boneheaded play of a pair of Bengals defenders late in the contest. The Broncos lead the playoff series, 4-3, and are 3-2 in playoff games played in Denver.

What will Kubiak’s offensive game plan be against the Steelers?

It was the efforts of Ben Roethlisberger (380 passing yards, three TD’s) and Antonio Brown (16 catches, 189 yards, two TD’s) that helped the Steelers orchestrate the comeback.

Denver’s offense was run by backup Brock Osweiler when they visited Pittsburgh. Jordan Todman led the team with 65 yards and Fitzgerald Toussaint had 58 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving.

Manning’s likability saves him from a lot of warranted criticism about his play in big games.

However, unlike at quarterback, the Steelers do have two strong alternatives should Brown be on the sidelines. As the top overall defense in the league, Denver can boast top in total defense, pass defense, number of sacks, fewest yards allowed per play, fewest yards allowed per rush, fewest yards allowed per pass and drop to third against the run.