Week 5 features a matchup between two teams moving in opposite directions … or so we thought. The Denver Broncos kicked off the year on a hot 3-0 tear, but newly-developed quarterback questions have clouded their outlook. Do the Pittsburgh Steelers have the tools to take advantage? Here’s all the pertinent information regarding the Broncos vs. Steelers matchup, including NFL odds, channel options, and a game prediction.
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers prediction and odds | Week 5
Odds from DraftKings sportsbook.
- Spread: PIT -1
- Moneyline: Steelers -120, Broncos +100
- Over/Under: 45
The spread for this game has been steadily decreasing. Most recently, it’s gone from -1.5 to -1 in Pittsburgh’s favor. Still, that’s a modest surprise, given the fact that Pittsburgh is 1-3 against the spread through four games. Denver, meanwhile, is 3-1 against the spread, with their lone loss coming against the Baltimore Ravens.
There’s one crucial factor impacting this spread, however. Teddy Bridgewater suffered a concussion against Baltimore, and his status is up in the air for Week 5. If Bridgewater can’t go, it’ll be the much-maligned Drew Lock under center — a quarterback who didn’t command much confidence in his limited action against the Ravens.
Opposite Lock, Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t command much confidence, either. Taking the quarterback battle into account, the over/under of 45 points makes sense. Additionally, both defenses are in the top 16 in total yards allowed per game.
Broncos vs. Steelers prediction
Any team endorsement in this game is going to be tepid. And seeing the -1 spread, it’s clear that the oddsmakers didn’t want to swing in any one direction too far. Denver and Pittsburgh are both flawed football teams. One seems more flawed than the other, but things are quickly deteriorating for a Denver team that got off to a fast start.
Both teams are similar in that that most of the questions rest on the offensive side of the ball. On Pittsburgh’s end, Roethlisberger is clearly over the hill, and then over the next hill after that. His arm and legs are worn, and he’s a shell of his former self. His pocket presence is actively detrimental to an offensive line that’s already not great, and he simply can’t push the ball down the field consistently.
On Denver’s end, Lock is likely to start for the injured Bridgewater. Lock undoubtedly has physical upside, but he was ultimately passed over for Bridgewater because he was the more volatile of the two quarterbacks. He didn’t do anything to disprove that against the Ravens, although the Broncos were already behind at that point.
Nevertheless, this game has the makings of a defensive battle. Both defenses have strong pass-rushing units, as well as playmakers on the back end who can exploit subpar quarterback play.
Which team’s flaws will push them too far?
Lock hasn’t proven anything to demand confidence just yet — especially against a Pittsburgh defense that has Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, T.J. Watt, Melvin Ingram, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, among others. Yet, Denver’s defense is an arguably bigger mismatch.
The Broncos have stronger CB play, and against Pittsburgh’s rush, Lock can at least use his mobility. Roethlisberger could be a sitting duck against Von Miller, Shelby Harris, and Dre’Mont Jones.
After losing both Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler to injury, the Broncos don’t have as many weapons as they once did. Nevertheless, in an ugly game, I like the Broncos a little bit more. Denver’s secondary is fast and athletic, and rookie Caden Sterns is quickly becoming a dangerous playmaker in nickel situations. Denver will test Roethlisberger. As volatile as Lock is, he may have the capacity for more big plays.
Prediction: Broncos 16, Steelers 13
How to watch and listen to Broncos vs. Steelers this week
- Start: 1 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
- Listen:
- TuneIn Radio
- Sirius XM Radio
- Live Streaming Options:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket
- NFL Mobile App