In Week 2 of the AFC season, the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0, 1-0 ATS) travel to face the Denver Broncos (0-1, 0-1 ATS) in a matchup that rekindles old rivalries. The last meeting occurred in 2021, where the Steelers secured a 27-19 victory, a game played during the era of Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers began their season strong by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 18-10 as 4.5-point underdogs. Meanwhile, the Broncos faced a setback against the Seattle Seahawks, losing 26-20 but managing to cover the spread as 6.5-point underdogs. Currently, the Steelers are favored by 2.5 points on the road. The game kicks off at 4:25 EST at Empower Field in Mile High and will be broadcast regionally on CBS.
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Steelers Begin Strong
The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has been a hot topic throughout the offseason and continues to be a focus early in the season. Russell Wilson was initially named the starter for the Broncos but missed Week 1 due to a calf injury. He remains questionable for this matchup, leading to speculation that the Steelers may prepare for Justin Fields instead. Despite the team’s assurances that Wilson will resume starting duties when healthy, Fields is expected to be under center for now.
Fields, who was the starting quarterback for the Bears last season when fit, threw for 2,562 yards and rushed for 657 yards. After the Bears chose Caleb Williams in the draft, Fields transitioned to Pittsburgh. In his first game against Denver, he managed 156 passing yards and 57 rushing yards, but the team’s scoring was limited to six field goals. The Steelers rely on a two-back system, with Najee Harris leading the charge. He gained 70 yards in the opener and totaled 1,035 rushing yards last season. Jaylen Warren, the speedster, had minimal impact with only seven rushing yards against the Falcons. George Pickens returns as the primary wide receiver, having recorded 1,140 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, along with 85 receiving yards in the opener.
Defensively, TJ Watt remains a key player for Pittsburgh, contributing 19 sacks last season and securing an interception. He continued his strong performance with a sack against Kirk Cousins in the season opener. Alex Highsmith complements the defense with his solid tackling, while Minkah Fitzpatrick, regarded as one of the league’s elite safeties, led the team with seven tackles against Atlanta.
Injury Report:
Questionable: QB R. Wilson, LB P. Queen, CB D. Rush, G I. Seumalo
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Bo Nix Takes Charge for the Broncos
The Bo Nix Era in Denver is underway, albeit with a challenging start at 0-1. Playing at Lumen Field is a tough task for any team, especially for a rookie quarterback making his debut. Head Coach Sean Payton allowed Nix to throw a remarkable 42 passes in his first game, signaling an intent to build his confidence. Nix completed 26 passes for 138 yards, but he also struggled with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
In addition to his passing, Nix rushed five times for 35 yards, but he must develop his downfield vision for bigger plays. The team’s leading rusher last year, Javonte Williams, had a quiet opener with only 23 yards on eight carries. Jaleel McLaughlin also contributed minimally with 27 yards. The receiving corps has changed, with the departure of Jerry Jeudy and the arrival of Josh Reynolds, who led the team with 45 receiving yards last week. Courtland Sutton, expected to be a primary target, was held to just 38 yards against Seattle.
On defense, Alex Singleton continues to shine, leading the team in tackles last season and contributing nine tackles in the opener. Cornerback Riley Moss led the team with 12 tackles, while Jonathan Cooper, known for his edge rushing, started strong with two sacks in the opener. Singleton also made a notable interception against Geno Smith.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR J. Reynolds, OT G. Bolles, C L. Wattenberg
Smart Bets for Steelers vs. Broncos
In an era dominated by offensive strategies, the advantage may lean towards Coach Sean Payton’s offensive approach over Mike Tomlin’s defensive mindset. The Steelers struggled to score touchdowns against the Falcons, relying heavily on field goals—a tactic unlikely to yield success against Denver. Fields continues to face challenges in his pocket passing, often opting to run after his first read. With only 23 passing attempts in the opener, the coaching staff’s trust in his ability to throw the ball remains uncertain. Conversely, Nix should exhibit growth in his second start, as Coach Payton will likely adjust the game plan to highlight Nix’s strengths. As the Broncos host their first home game of the season, they are poised to secure a win against a Steelers offense still seeking its rhythm.
