It pretty much goes without saying that today's a big day.

Not only are the Steelers set to take on the 6-1 Broncos later this evening, but more importantly, it's also Domski's birthday.



That one is from Cotter.

This one is from Steve...


So as if the Steelers didn't already have enough reasons to treat the Broncos like a $5 whore, now they've got one more.

We're sure this one in particular will really have an affect on them...

Anyways, some of you might be worried about Cincinnati pissing all over the Ravens yesterday...


Like we said last night, don't be.

The Bengals are now 6-2, and 4-0 in the division.

Not exactly ideal circumstances for the 5-2 Steelers who are 1-1 in the division, but come Sunday, the Bengals have to bring the Cedric Benson show to Heinz Field.

Unlike the Ratbirds, the Steelers will not allow the Bengals to sweep the season series. And they certainly won't let them do it on the banks of the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio.

But that's next week.

Tonight, the Steelers still have to contend with the Broncos, who boast what Tomlin has been calling, "the world's best defense."

So in order to pass the time between now and 8:30, without having to do actual work while at work (because eff that), we're going to give you our "Three Things To Watch For" and afterward, we'd love to hear yours in the comments (we're not holding our breath though).

Check out the hook while our DJ revolves it...

Cotter's Three Things To Watch For:

1. Eddie Royal vs. The Steelers "Special" Teams


Eddie Royal is the league's #6 punt returner. He's averaging 12 yards a return, and took one to the house just two weeks ago against the Chargers (the same game in which he also took a kickoff to the house).

The Steelers aren't exactly the league's worst punt coverage unit, but if we said we were completely confident in their abilities, we'd be lying.

Watching your opponent return a punt (or a kick) for six is about as fun as chlamydia (or so we imagine).

Your offense and defense could be teabagging the opposition, and one untimely special teams mistake can turn things around quicker than you can say, "fruit salad."

We've seen it happen before.

Recently.

Multiple times.

Bob Ligashesky better sort it out, or tonight we fear his lawn may get the royal Tommy Maddox treatment.

Prediction: Fuck Eddie Royal.

2. Denver Pass Rush


Ah, the memories...

You can talk about the quality of their opponents all you want, but Denver's 2nd in the league when it comes to sacks. And what better way is there to neutralize an opposing offense than to consistenly invade its Quarterback's personal space?

Of course, Big Ben is harder to tackle than a Chevy El Camino.

And the Steelers offensive line has been giving Ben enough time to make everyone halftime sandwiches and tea in the backfield.

Not to mention, if Mendenhall can get going (Steve'll cover this one), Ben could make this one look like a Van Gogh.

So we'd like to think Ben's gonna light up the Broncos defense like Santonio would a joint, but we're also weary of the opposite scenario.

Prediction: Big Ben headbutts Elvis Dumervil into unconsciousness.

3. Not An Early Recap


Monday night games are great.

Your team gets to put its skills on display in prime time for millions of people all around the country.

Plus, Jon Gruden dares you to stare at his codpiece for three plus hours (another thing to watch for).

But they don't end 'til like 11:30 PM, which is a solid two hours past our bedtime.

So we're gonna do our best, but tomorrow's recap may not hit the interwebs until the mid to late afternoon (which truth be told is probably when it would've appeared anyhow).

We'll try and put up a preliminary thoughts post after the game, but again, don't be surprised if it goes something like this - "aknsdjknadfkjb iwefuhaweigp'hwongawrbawergarg" - which of course is our head(s) hitting the keyboard.

Prediction: Timeliness will directly correlate with quantity of beers consumed.

Steve's Three Things To Watch For:

1. Carter and Mundy


While Ryan Clark is preventing his own death and sitting this one out, the Steelers will call on Tyrone Carter and Ryan Mundy to replace Clark in the secondary.

No doubt the Broncos will look to test Predator early with Grizzly Adams Orton looking deep to Marshall and Royal.

I have bucket loads of faith in Tyrone Carter and his ability to play both positions, but Ryan Clark may be the most underrated member of the Steelers defense. He combines both a hard hitting, smash mouth style, with an athletic ballhawking ability to go up and get the football. Basically, if Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson had a kid, that boy would be Ryan Clark.

OK, maybe thats an exaggeration. Maybe.

Both Carter and Mundy will be splitting time filling in for Clark and expect LeBeau to run more Nickel and Dime packages to add in the extra defensive back to support both. The Broncos will complete some passes over the middle but, when they get down near the redzone, that's where Carter and Mundy will need to step up.

Prediction: Ryan Mundy gets a pick in garbage time as the Steelers are already up 92 - 3.

2. Champ Freakin' Bailey


The best "shut-down" corner in the game. You can't argue that.

(With that statement, Ike Taylor just declined my friend request on Facebook.)

While Ben made Champ look silly in the 2005 AFC Championship game, Mr. Bailey got some revenge in '07 with two picks in a Broncos win. So needless to say, the two are more than familiar with each other.

I am assuming Mike Nolan will have Champ shadow Sant for the majority of the game but, they may have him keying on Hines Ward in short - third down situations.

If Ben can fool the Broncos secondary early and hit a big play on the opposite side of the field to Wallace or Heath Miller, they may be able to catch the Broncos off-guard and render Champ ineffective for the most part.

Wishful thinking on my end, for sure.

3. The Running Game


Willie and Rashard - Correll and Knowshon.

While the Steelers clearly hold the advantage in the "normal first names" category, the Broncos backfield may have the better 1-2 punch in the ground game.

When healthy, Correll and Knowshon has been one of the better running back tandems in the league. Both have similar, quick and agile running style and are equally productive inside the tackles. The key being when a defense continues to stop them, carry after carry, they get more frustrated than Mike Tyson during a Spelling Bee.

As for the Steelers, some say Willie Parker is done for. I disagree......strongly.

For some odd reason, I expect Willie Parker to contribute greatly to a Steelers victory this evening. Don't know why. Maybe the experience playing at Mile High? Maybe because he is due? Maybe because I like to make really bold predictions and then annoyingly yell "I CALLED THAT" like an ass, when said prediction becomes true?!???

Who knows? Just watch Willie, he may break one late.

Oh, and Rashard will be just fine tonight. Don't worry.

Also as a side note - watch Casey Hampton. If this large man can play a 60 minute football game in the thin air of Mile High Stadium, we can get off our asses and join a gym. Seriously, the 300 pound plus monster will exert more energy tonight than we will all month. It's quite embarrassing.

Predictions:

Cotter


Steve


Don't bother being productive with what's left of your workday, we've got a game to prepare for.

Is it 8:30 yet?

Someone cue up Hank Williams Jr Styx.



Obligatory Footer - If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, join the blog network and follow Cotter and Steve on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.

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