Dec 19, 2015 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – The Steelers have passed two big tests during their push to make the playoffs, beating division leaders Indianapolis and Cincinnati the past two weeks.

Up next might be the final exam as the Denver Broncos (10-3) come to Heinz Field to take on the Steelers (8-5).

The Broncos were hoping for one last Super Bowl run behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

Veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, among others, was added to an already potent defense to take some pressure off the 39-year-old Manning.

But the NFL’s all-time passing yardage leader went down with a foot injury a month ago after throwing an NFL-high 17 interceptions in his first nine games, leaving the Broncos with fourth-year quarterback Brock Osweiler to take his place.

Denver still has a dominating defense, leading the league in nearly every statistic. The offense under Osweiler’s direction has been a different story.

Though they have gone 3-1 with Osweiler at quarterback, Denver has averaged just 19 points per game in those contests. That probably won’t be enough to keep pace with the Steelers, who have scored 30 or more points in each of their past five games – a team record – and are averaging just over 35 points in that span.

“I think they’re playing as well as anybody in football right now,” said Denver head coach Gary Kubiak. “Ben’s playing lights out; he’s got a lot of weapons going on. I know they lost their running back, but boy has the other one come in and played extremely well. They’re as explosive as any football team is right now.”

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been especially proficient at home this season, despite missing four games with a knee injury. He’s thrown 13 of his 15 touchdown passes in the five home games he’s played.

With All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell out for the season with a knee injury, DeAngelo Williams has provided the Steelers with a consistent rushing attack.

The Steelers can move into the sixth position in the AFC playoff race with a win, but Denver’s defense will provide it with the stiffest test this season.

“Their pass rush and rushing coverage work together,” said Roethlisberger. “Their pass rush is unbelievable. They have edge rushers getting around the outside and inside guys getting a push. Their secondary guys are being physical, making plays. The ball is in the air, they intercept it and they score. There’s a reason they’re No. 1 in almost every category.”

Pittsburgh’s defense hasn’t been nearly as good, but it has had its moments. The Steelers are fifth in the NFL with 38 sacks and have five interceptions inside their own 5-yard line.

Denver’s lack of firepower with Osweiler at quarterback showed last week in a 15-12 loss to Oakland. The Broncos allowed just 126 total yards, but Osweiler was sacked six times, Denver lost two fumbles and went 4-for-18 on third down conversions.

“Obviously, we didn’t protect our quarterback very well, especially in the game last week,” said Kubiak. “It’s something we are going to have to improve upon. We have to make sure we keep him safe.”

The Steelers have done a good job of that with Roethlisberger, who has been sacked just 14 times in 344 pass attempts. Roethlisberger won’t back down from Denver’s solid pass rush or the presence of Pro Bowl cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib.

“I never want to get hit or knocked around,” said Roethlisberger. “The guys in front have done an awesome job of that this year. I think one of the things about me, and has been something about me as long as I’ve played the game, is just because I take the hits, doesn’t mean I’m going to start flinching or backing down. I’m kind of a big guy and I just enjoy fun, physical football games.”

It’s unlikely to be as physical or nasty as Pittsburgh’s game last week in Cincinnati. That game resulted in nearly $150,000 in fines for players from both teams.

But there’s plenty on the line in this game. Denver sits in the No. 2 spot in the AFC playoff standings but a loss would leave the Broncos possibly just one game ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West standings.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have won nine consecutive games in December and want to continue their run through the other AFC contenders.

“Every week is going to be a new challenge,” said Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. “We’ve got to rise to challenges, respond to the challenges. We know what time of year it is and where we want to be.”

Roethlisberger has nine touchdown passes in his past three home games. … Brown has 48 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns in his past five games. … Denver linebacker Von Miller has at least one sack in five consecutive games. … Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons needs four tackles to reach 100 for the season. Timmons has reached that mark in four of the past five seasons. … Denver has not played in Pittsburgh since 2006 and leads the series, 14-7-1.