Dec 19, 2015 4 min read

The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers have swapped positions.

It wasn’t all that long ago – 1997 to be exact – that Denver had a 30-something superstar quarterback who was the key to an explosive offense, while the Steelers relied more on defense, ranking fifth in the league that season.

Now, it’s Pittsburgh that boasts one of the league’s most unstoppable offenses, led by veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, while Denver has the dominating defense.

The question is which will win out when the two meet today at Heinz Field.

In 1997, the Steelers won the first matchup at Three Rivers Stadium in a shootout, 35-24.

But four turnovers in an AFC Championship matchup led to a 24-21 loss in the second meeting.

Those games have nothing to do with today’s meeting between the Broncos and Steelers, but they do give us some insight.

If the Steelers can turn today’s game into something of a shootout, it benefits them. Denver, with largely untested Brock Osweiler at quarterback replacing an injured Peyton Manning, has offensive firepower, particularly at wide receiver and tight end. But Osweiler has been more of a caretaker than a playmaker.

In five games, he’s thrown five touchdown passes and three interceptions. The Broncos have averaged 19 points in his four starts. He also leads the league in a dubious statistic. Forty-seven percent of the drives led by Osweiler have resulted in three-and-outs.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have thrived when Roethlisberger has played this season, scoring 30 or more points in six of the nine games in which Roethlisberger has taken the majority of the snaps at quarterback. They have scored at least 30 points in a team-record five consecutive games.

They’ve been particularly dangerous at home. In five home starts, Roethlisberger has thrown 13 touchdown passes, as many as Denver has allowed all season.

The Steelers are favored by 7 points in this one and that might be a little too much against a very good defense that hasn’t allowed an opponent to pass for 300 yards or score 30 points this season.

Take the Steelers to win but fail to cover, 26-20.

One of the best teams in the league against one of the worst.

Take New England, 38-13

I’m going with a hunch here, but Oakland’s a tough place to play.

Take Oakland, 27-24

The Vikings should take care of business.

Take Minnesota, 24-17

The Panthers are a little banged up and have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Take the Giants to cover in a 24-20 loss

The NFC East champion might be 6-10 this season.

Take Arizona, 31-24

A.J. McCarron gets a chance to show he can win a game on the road. He probably does, but it will be a struggle.

Take Cincinnati, 22-13

The Seahawks are banged up at running back, but should lower the Legion of Boom on Johnny Manziel.

Take Seattle, 30-13

Will the last healthy player in Baltimore please turn out the lights on this season.

Take Kansas City, 20-6

The Redskins have been very good at home.

Take Washington, 23-20

Atlanta has won once since starting the season 5-0.

Take Jacksonville, 31-27

This could be the Chargers’ final game in San Diego.

Take San Diego, 19-15

Nobody will care about this Monday night snoozefest. Actually, it could be a high-scoring affair.

Take New Orleans, 31-24

Matt Hasselbeck vs. T.J Yates. The Texans are 0-13 all-time in Indianapolis.

Take Indianapolis, 23-20

Last week: 8-7 ATS; 10-5 Straight up

Overall: 101-87-5 ATS; 125-68 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.