Pittsburgh busca su primera victoria de la Temporada 2021 en el Heinz Field este domingo y el rival para la semana 5 serán los Denver Broncos, un equipo que perdió el invicto contra los Ravens la jornada anterior pero que busca mantenerse en la cima de su división. Los Steelers han ganado dos de los últimos tres enfrentamientos (incluyendo el duelo del año pasado), pero el coach Mike Tomlin tiene una marca de 3-5 en contra de Denver.
Denver Broncos en 2021
Los Broncos tienen una de las mejores defensivas de toda la NFL. La segunda mejor en puntos permitidos, cuarta en yardas totales y la mejor en zona roja, permitiendo un TD sólo en el 33% de los viajes de los rivales. Sin duda será un reto bastante interesante para una ofensiva de los Steelers que ha batallado para generar yardas y puntos durante este inicio de temporada.
En cuanto a la ofensiva, la mayor duda de los Broncos será si Teddy Bridgewater, su QB titular, estará disponible para este encuentro. De lo contrario será el suplente Drew Lock, quien ha batallado durante su carrera para proteger el balón.
¿Qué debe de hacer Pittsburgh para ganar este partido?
Superar la barrera de los 20 puntos
Los Steelers no han superado los 20 puntos desde la semana 1. Y no es coincidencia que desde entonces este equipo no conoce la victoria. Es necesario que la ofensiva tenga una actuación decente, no sólo para recuperar un poco de confianza en el equipo, sino para que se pueda competir contra rivales con récord ganador.
Dos departamentos son clave para mejorar esta situación. El primero es sencillo, recortar las entregas de balón (5 en cuatro partidos). El segundo es mejorar tanto en promedio de yardas por jugada (4.9 en total y 3.3 en yardas por acarreo), así como en efectividad en la zona roja, que es sólo del 50%, la eficiencia ofensiva es bastante pobre, ya que son el segundo equipo con más intentos de pase en 2021, pero están a mitad de tabla en yardas por aire.
Cuidado con Von Miller
La línea ofensiva ha sufrido todo el año para proteger a Big Ben. Esta semana tiene un reto bastante complicado ya que enfrentarán a un futuro miembro del Salón de la Fama en Von Miller, el linebacker de los Broncos. Miller ha conseguido al menos 0.5 sack en cada uno de los partidos de esta temporada y es un especialista en dominar linieros ofensivos.
Además de Miller, también hay que poner especial atención en Malik Reed (59), ya que a Vic Fangio le gusta utilizar diferentes tipos de esquema para generar presión.
Generar robos de balón
Otra gran diferencia en la Temporada 2021 es que la defensiva de los Steelers no ha podido darle oportunidades extra al ataque. Sólo hay tres robos de balón en cuatro juegos (y nada más una intercepción), además de que el equipo ha estado en la columna negativa entre robos y entregas en las tres derrotas al hilo. Bridgewater es uno de los QB que mejor protege el balón en la NFL, pero si no llega a jugar, esta defensiva podría tener una gran actuación en contra de Drew Lock.
¿Quién crees que se lleve la victoria en este partido?
The Steelers prepare for the Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green (53) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Coach Eddie Faulkner and Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers center/guard B.J. Finney (67) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels (38) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Pittsburgh Steelers during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chaz Green (74) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Rashaad Coward (79) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels (38) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm and Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant Offensive Line Coach Chris Morgan during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)