NFL Playoffs – AFC Championship Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be feeling a mile high after escaping Indianapolis with a 21-18 victory Sunday, but that could end when they battle the Broncos in the Mile High City.

The usually sure-handed Jerome Bettis nearly fumbled the game away on the Colts’ goal line, coughing up the ball while trying to score a game-sealing touchdown. Ben Roethlisberger was able to make a game-saving tackle, halting the Colts’ return in their own territory.

The Colts eventually attempted a field goal, which the usually sure-footed Mike Vanderjagt pushed wide right.

Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) at Denver Broncos (14-3)
2:00 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, on CBS

The Steelers may need more good fortune and a little luck against the Broncos if they are going to continue their quest for their first Super Bowl appearance since falling to the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

Mike Shanahan finally got the can’t-win-a-playoff-game-without-John Elway monkey off of his back with a victory over the two-time defending champion New England Patriots Sunday. But can Jake Plummer, Mike Anderson and Rod Smith penetrate a stifling Pittsburgh defense?

The Broncos lack a superior defense themselves, but they have made big plays at key moments. Champ Bailey’s 100-yard interception return to the Patriots’ 1-yard line was the difference in the game.

Despite being 0-1 in AFC title games, Roethlisberger does a quality job of limiting mistakes.

The Broncos are going to need to stop the Steelers’ running attack, and Plummer will have to know where linebacker Joey Porter and safety Troy Polamalu are at all times. The Steelers will be looking to shut down Mike Anderson, forcing the Broncos to go for long passing plays.

Plus, the Steelers do fine on the road, compiling a (8-2) record this season, which includes wins at the conference’s top seed and the AFC Central Champion Cincinnati Bengals in consecutive weeks. The Broncos are unbeaten (9-0) at INVESCO Field at Mile High this season.