Steelers insider Brian Batko breaks down each aspect of Week 2 and lists the team’s keys to victory:
When the Steelers have the ball
The Broncos allowed 146 yards rushing, 4.4 per carry, last week to a Seahawks team with a new offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was actually Denver’s head coach for two years, from 2017-18, and circled back to his old team last season. As the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator in 2022, he held Arthur Smith’s Falcons under 300 yards, but in a 20-19 loss for Arizona. Joseph runs a 3-4 defense not all that different from what the Steelers do. Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper had two sacks in Week 1, and No. 1 cornerback Patrick Surtain II is one of the best in the league at his position. Veteran inside linebacker Alex Singleton had an interception in the season opener and was the third-leading tackler in the NFL last year. Starting safety P.J. Locke initially signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019, while Levi Wallace is a backup corner who’s played just two defensive snaps with his new team so far.
When the Broncos have the ball
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was the 12th overall pick in April because head coach Sean Payton was enamored with him. Nix is 6-foot-2, 217 pounds and blossomed in college at Oregon after three mediocre seasons for Auburn. But he also served up two interceptions in a 26-20 loss to the Seahawks, one of which was doomed the moment it left his right hand. Youngstown State product Jaleel McLaughlin is part of a backfield duo that also includes Javonte Williams, a physical runner who was in the same draft as Najee Harris. Courtland Sutton is their primary target, but 6-4 seventh-round rookie DeVaughn Vele had a team-high eight catches in his and Nix’s debut. The man charged with facing off against T.J. Watt is sixth-year veteran Mike McGlinchey, who also was the 49ers’ right tackle when they managed to keep Watt out of the sack column in 2019. Former Pitt standout tight end Lucas Krull was inactive Week 1.
Key matchups
Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II vs. Steelers WR George Pickens
Surtain is the 6-2, 202-pound son of the former Dolphins star who played the same position. Denver made him the highest-paid defensive back in league history Sept. 4 when he signed a four-year, $96 million extension (only to be surpassed by Jalen Ramsey days later). Pickens faced A.J. Terrell last Sunday and faced Surtain in college. He said he doesn’t particularly care whether he’s followed by the Alabama alumnus all day.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton vs. Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.
The 6-4 Sutton is another big body who actually played basketball, too, at SMU. He’s known for acrobatic catches and put seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown on the Steelers last time they played in 2021. He’ll be a tough cover for either starting cornerback, Donte Jackson or Porter, but the latter has the size to neutralize him.
Broncos RT Mike McGlinchey vs. Steelers OLB T.J. Watt
Watt faces a steady veteran for the second game in a row, but he made Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary look like a little leaguer. McGlinchey can’t be having a good time watching Watt’s film from Week 1, when he was perfectly timing Atlanta’s snap counts and winning consistently on the edge.
Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper vs. Steelers RT Troy Fautanu
By all indications, the Steelers’ first-round pick is going to make his NFL debut in this one. Denver has its own pass rusher with a great get-off and ability to convert speed to power. Cooper plays on the same side as Watt, which could make for a long day for Fautanu if he isn’t ready yet to take over for Broderick Jones on the right.
Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz vs. Steelers DT Larry Ogunjobi
“The Belly,” as he’s affectionately known for letting his large gut hang out of his jersey in practice, Meinerz has been a slam dunk as a third-round pick in 2021, 11 spots after Kendrick Green. He’s a road-grader in the run game, which is why he got a four-year, $80 million deal this summer.
To win, the Steelers must …
Make more of Justin time. Fields did enough to win in Week 1 amid a sudden change in status, but getting more out of their quarterback — by scheme, teammates making plays or his own performance — will go a long way.
Know Bo. Nix is only one game into what he hopes is a long NFL career, and it didn’t go all that well for him.
But he’s got moxie and enough savvy to hurt the defense if you don’t respect him.
Nix the penalties. Mental mistakes were one of the biggest reasons for offensive and defensive setbacks in Atlanta, so cleaning things up can help keep a rebuilding team from springing an upset.
