Steelers look to exorcise mile high jinx tonight

November 9, 9:09 AMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski

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James Harrison and the Steelers defense look to outdo the Broncos No. ranked defense tonight
AP/File Photo

Game #8

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1)
Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Site: INVESCO Field at Mile High (76,125) • Denver, Col.
TV Coverage: ESPN (locally WTAE-TV, channel 4)
RADIO: WDVE

When it comes to the Denver Broncos and the Steelers, there is no love lost between the two teams.

They played to the first overtime tie in NFL history. They have met six times in the post-season splitting the series and overall the Broncos, who have won the last two regular season match ups own a 13-6-1 slate against the Steelers.

Although in separate divisions, it is a rivalry game no if and or buts.

" It's important for us to win this game and keep the momentum going," Steeler safety Troy Polamalu said.

The Broncos are 6-1 on the year under first year coach Josh McDaniels who has them playing like his former team the New England Patriots.

"When you look at Denver and what they’re capable of doing or how they do what it is that they do, they’re very efficient offensively," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. " I think it starts at the quarterback position with Kyle Orton. This guy doesn’t throw interceptions. He’s thrown one this year, he doesn’t get sacked, he’s only been sacked 11 times."

Asked about Orton, who came to Denver in essence for Jay Cutler, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels called him smart.

"He is a player that is very cerebral, very bright, understands defense, can learn quickly, which is important in our system," McDaniels said. " He is accurate with the football and all of those things are good positive traits for a good quarterback to have."

Tomlin, who has always preached an believed a football game is won in the trenches, said Orton's stats this year starts with the Broncos offensive line.

"They’re a very athletic group. Their left tackle, a young guy, [Ryan] Clady, is one of the best in the world. Ben Hamilton is a good player,' Tomlin said. "They have some top-quality linemen who are athletic people, who get after it and hustle, are pretty good at spacing the screen game, really good in the misdirection passing game. They do a lot of things well, and they’re built to do what it is that they’re good at."

Polamalu agrees with his coach that they are a talented group of players, but says when it comes to playing a team like the Broncos, the Steeler have a chip on their shoulders because they want to play better than the opposing defense."

"I think when you prepare for a team like this, it is like playing a division team," Polamalu said. " It’s always defense challenging defense. It’s an important goal in every game for us: As a defense, we always want to outplay the other defense, but its really true in this game."

The Broncos are ranked No. 1 in total defense and have allowed the fewest points (96); the Steelers are ranked No. 1 against the run and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 consecutive games, counting playoffs.

But the fact they are ranked No. 1 in an aspect the Steelers pride themselves in, is something Tomlin has drilled in players heads all week and it seems to have lit a fire under them.

Tomlin also added this about the Broncos.

"They choose to attack people how they choose to attack people," Tomlin said. " They spread the ball around, I think efficiency is their motto. The stats bear that out. They don’t turn the ball over, they don’t get sacked, they’re playing great defense, there’s a formula for winning. And one that they’ve won quite a bit with."

Steelers-Broncos Connections: Several Steelers have ties to the Broncos and the Denver area. Steelers with connections to the Broncos include tight ends coach James Daniel, who got his first NFL experience through the NFL’s Fellowship Program with Denver in 1992.
Steelers with connections to Colorado include DE Travis Kirschke, who is from Highland, Colo

Prime time magic: The Steelers are 11-1 in primetime regularseason games under third-year head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 4-0 all-time on Monday Night Football. The Steelers have won 11 straight games in primetime under Tomlin. Pittsburgh is 2-0 this year in primetime games and is scheduled to play a total of five primetime games this season (Week 4 vs. San Diego, Week 9 at Denver, Week 12 at Baltimore and Week 14 at Cleveland).