NFL 'Wild Card' playoff analysis: Steelers vs Broncos

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Denver’s standpoint, the biggest key to this game is, obviously, they cannot turn the ball over.  For Pittsburgh, it’s going to be dealing with the unconventional offense that Denver runs.  Calling the audible on this heated contest is former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and NFLer Phil Simms.


PHIL SIMMS
(On Pittsburgh-Denver): A lot of people have these preconceived notions about this game.  But I’ll be surprised if it’s not close because the Broncos have a style and the talent to keep it close, no matter what, especially playing at home.  There are exceptions, Detroit, but that took some unusual circumstances.  Denver is built to make this game close.  That is what they want.  And then they hope either Tim Tebow or the defense makes a play at a crucial moment to win.    

BILL COWHER
(On Pittsburgh-Denver): From Denver’s standpoint, the biggest key to this game is, obviously, they cannot turn the ball over.  Defensively, it’s going to be trying to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger.  Another key is for Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil being able to break down the pocket against Ben.  For Pittsburgh, it’s going to be dealing with the unconventional offense that Denver runs.  You’re going to see a lot of Troy Polamalu close to the line of scrimmage.  It’s eliminating the big plays in the Broncos running game.  That’s the one thing you’ll see.  Willis McGahee has been their big-play person.  They can’t fall asleep on the pass, and certainly they’re going to have to defend the option game that they present.

(Have teams figured out Tim Tebow?): The key for Denver is to get away from what they’ve been doing because they’ve been very predictable.  Teams definitely know what to take away from Tebow – and defending the right side of the field with a left-handed quarterback.  In order to be successful against Pittsburgh, they’re going to have to do something unconventional and unpredictable.          

The  #5-seeded PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4) visit the AFC West Champions and  #4-seeded DENVER BRONCOS (8-8).  THE NFL ON CBS’s coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s studio show (4:00-4:30 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for the AFC Playoffs (subject to change).

AFC WILD CARD GAME #2 – Jan. 8, 2012

GAME   PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
4:30 PM, ET starts:
Pittsburgh @ Denver  Jim Nantz/Phil Simms  Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #1 – Saturday, Jan. 14

GAME   PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
8:00 PM, ET starts:
TBD @ New England   TBD

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #2 – Sunday, Jan. 15

GAME   PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
1:00 PM, ET start:
TBD @ Baltimore   TBD

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Sunday, Jan. 22

GAME   PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
3:00 PM, ET start:
TBD     Jim Nantz/Phil Simms  Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

(source: CBS)