by FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD – At least the Denver Broncos will be prepared to play one of the NFL’s most physical teams this week, considering they are coming off a game against an equally physical squad.
The Broncos go from a punishing game against the Ravens, which they lost 30-7, to a Monday night battle against the Steelers, who are known as one of the hardest-hitting teams in football on both sides of the ball.
“It’s a very physical team in every phase,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. “To me, that’s where it starts with the Steelers. If you’re going to get out-physicalled offensively, defensively, in the kicking game, you’re going to have a hard time winning. They’re definitely going to challenge you in every area. All of their players play like that.”
The way the Broncos were defeated by the Ravens has to be a bit of a concern before they play another physical team.
“They beat us up pretty good, no question about it,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “We feel like we have a physical football team, and certainly Pittsburgh prides themselves on that too, so it’ll be a hard-hitting game. Whoever wins that battle is going to have a good chance to win.”
The Steelers can impose their will on offense and defense. Defensively, the Steelers had the top defense in the NFL last year, and although they’ve slipped a bit against the pass, they still have the top-ranked rush defense in the NFL.
“They have good players that go all out on every play,” running back Correll Buckhalter said. “It’s a must we’re on our ‘A’ game Monday night.”
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Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was 0-6 in December trips to Arrowhead Stadium with Denver. (Denver Post file photo)Like most folks who deal with the ebb and flow of the coaching business, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels doesn't always like what the numbers have to say.