By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
For the first time as an NFL head coach, Josh McDaniels is dealing with a loss.
More than just the loss to the Ravens last time out, was how the Broncos lost. Heading into last week's game the Broncos were 6-0, coming off a bye, and facing a Ravens team that had struggled the past few games. All signs pointed to the Broncos getting an easy win, but just the opposite happened.
The Ravens controlled the game from the opening gun, and dominated the Broncos in all three aspects of the game - offense, defense, and special teams. The 30-7 final score was not even really indicative of how one sided the game was. The Broncos defense allowed the Ravens to run over them for 125 yards, the most the Denver defensive unit has allowed all season. The offense was not much better. Kyle Orton struggled to get the offense moving, and the Broncos were held under 200 total yards for the game, the lowest output by the offense this year.
Are the Broncos really as good as there 6-0 start indicated, or are the closer to the team that we saw last week against the Ravens? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but doubt may now be creeping in the Broncos' minds. Remember last season the Broncos started 8-5, but dropped that last three games of the season to miss the playoffs. Could history repeat itself? Probably not, but heading into Monday night's game at Invesco Field, the Broncos have something to prove. They must show that they can handle defeat, and not let things spiral out of control like they did a year ago.
Now the Broncos get to face off against the defending Super Bowl champs in the Pittsburgh Steelers. After starting the season slowly, the Steelers have been hot the past month, winning four straight to improve to 5-2. The Steelers once again find themselves in position to win the AFC North, as heading into the weekend they were tied for the division lead with the Cincinnati Bengals.
It"s not like the Steelers have been playing weaker teams during this latest surge. Two weeks ago, prior to the team's bye week, the Steelers defense was dominate, knocking off Brett Favre and an undefeated Vikings team. The offense has once again been solid as well. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for over 2000 yards already this season. Rashard Mendenhall looks like the real deal at running back, and the receiving corps of Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, and Heath Miller are as solid as you will find.
The Steelers are hot, and have the talent to take this team back to the Super Bowl. Based on the last couple of weeks, you could make the argument that the Broncos and Steelers are trending in opposite directions. After Monday night, there will be no such argument.
The Steelers are clearly heading towards the top of the AFC, and maybe now the truth is starting to catch up with the Broncos. Josh McDaniels, say hello to your first losing streak as an NFL head coach.
Prediction: Steelers 20 Broncos 10
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