Written by :
Published on :
Carrie Stroup here with all the latest betting action for today’s NFL games including the big Steelers vs. Broncos matchup, which can be found at Sportsbook.com here. Be sure to claim your FREE $250 when joining. Use promo code CARRIE STROUP.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Denver -2 & 46
Opening Line & Total: Broncos -1.5 & 45
The Peyton Manning era begins Sunday night when his Broncos host the revenge-minded Steelers.
In a rematch of Denver’s Wild Card victory a year ago, the Broncos offense will look completely different with Manning under center. There are questions surrounding Manning though, like his arm strength after missing last year following multiple neck surgeries, as well as Denver’s ability to keep up with his audibles and adjustments. The Pittsburgh defense looked a half step slow late last year and will be without FS Ryan Clark (sickle cell traits). OLB James Harrison is coming off a knee scope. Offensively, the Steelers have a new play-caller in Todd Haley and are just getting holdout WR Mike Wallace into the fold. Denver’s John Fox is 10-26 ATS (28%) in home games in the first half of the season in his head coaching career, which should continue as the Steelers will be plenty motivated to revenge last year’s postseason loss in Denver. While that Pittsburgh team was completely banged up, this one will be much fresher to start the season. The Steelers have the ability to pressure Manning as the veteran QB plays his first meaningful game in more than 20 months.
Haley is expected to take some of the pressure off battered QB Ben Roethlisberger with a more run-heavy offense. Top RB Rashard Mendenhall is feverously working his way back from a torn ACL in Week 17 last year, but will not be ready in time to play in the season opener. RB Isaac Redman has also been hampered by groin and ankle injuries in the preseason, but is expected to start and carry the ball 15-to-20 times. Although the Steelers offense ranked 12th in the NFL in total yards (372 YPG), they scored just 20.3 PPG, which tied them for 21st in the league. With Wallace holding out for the majority of training camp, Antonio Brown was the main target in the passing game and is poised for a monster year now that Wallace is back to garner most of the attention from opposing secondaries. Pittsburgh led the league in both scoring defense (14.2 PPG) and total defense (272 YPG), and hasn’t faced a Manning-led offense since 2008, when he threw for 240 yards and 3 TD in a 24-20 win with the Colts.
Manning was brought in to drastically improve a Denver offense that ranked 25th in scoring (19.3 PPG) and 23rd in total offense (317 YPG) in 2011. He reunites with Colts teammate TE Jacob Tamme, but Manning is still building chemistry with a young starting WR duo of Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos running game led the NFL with 165 YPG last season, but a good chunk of those yards came from departed QB Tim Tebow running the football. With Manning being a classic pocket passer, the rushing yards in 2012 will come mainly from Willis McGahee and rookie Ronnie Hillman. Denver has some great athletes that help comprise its 4-3 defense, most notably DE Elvis Dumervil, LB Von Miller and CB Champ Bailey. The Broncos surrendered 24.4 PPG last year (24th in NFL) and allowed 358 total YPG (20th in league).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
