WR George Pickens. The 23-year-old began his third season by hauling in six receptions for 85 yards against the Falcons. Pickens, who averaged 18.1 yards per catch last season, was able to get open despite receiving plenty of attention from Atlanta’s secondary. He faces a strong test against Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II, who figures to shadow Pickens all game.
Broncos player to watch
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix gets his first start at home so he won’t have to worry about the din that tormented the Broncos in their loss at Seattle in their opener. Nix had an uneven debut but coach Sean Payton defended him, suggesting those around him had to do a better job of helping out the rookie. If his pass catchers can hold onto the ball and his running backs break some tackles, he’ll likely settle into a rhythm in friendlier Empower Field.
Key matchup
With QB Russell Wilson not expected to start, let’s go with Steelers superstar defender T.J. Watt versus the Broncos’ banged-up offensive line, which might be missing left tackle Garett Bolles, who suffered a calf injury against the Seahawks and was replaced by backup Matt Peart. Nix was only sacked twice in the opener but he was pressured aplenty and was oftentimes way off target.
Key injuries
Steelers: QB Russell Wilson’s injured calf means he’ll probably watch backup Justin Fields start for the second straight week. ... LT Dan Moore Jr. (ankle) missed practice this week. If he can’t go, Broderick Jones will move from right tackle to left and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu, who missed some of training camp with a knee injury, will make his first NFL start. ... LG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) is likely to miss his second straight game. ... Rookie WR Roman Wilson (ankle) could make his NFL debut. ... DT Larry Ogunjobi (knee) was limited during the week. ... Broncos: Audric Estime will miss at least a month after the team placed the rookie running back on injured reserve Wednesday night with an ankle injury. Bolles missed Wednesday’s game plan installation as did new starting center Luke Wattenberg (ankle). Also missing practice were wide receivers Josh Reynolds (Achilles tendon), although he said it was cautionary and he plans to play, and rookie Devaughn Vele (ribs).
Series notes
Denver has lost its past two games against the Steelers and they haven’t dropped three in a row to Pittsburgh since the late 1970s. The teams have met eight times in the AFC playoffs, most recently in 2016 when the Broncos prevailed 23-16 on their way to winning Super Bowl 50 — the most recent time they made the postseason.
Stats and stuff
The Steelers are searching for their first 2-0 start since 2020, when they began the season 11-0. ... Fields will likely make his second start while Wilson recovers from a calf injury, spoiling his chance to square off against the team that cut him this spring. ... Fields was solid if not spectacular in Week 1 against the Falcons, completing 17 of 23 passes for 153 yards and running for 57 more. ... Fields has 2,227 yards rushing, sixth most by a QB in his first four seasons in NFL history. ... Pittsburgh K Chris Boswell tied a franchise record by making six field goals against the Falcons last week, including three from 50 yards or more. Boswell will have a new holder after punter Cameron Johnston was lost for the season with a right knee injury. Pittsburgh signed Corliss Waitman to fill in as both punter and holder. ... Pittsburgh’s defense has dominated opposing rookie quarterbacks through the years. The Steelers are 49-15 against first-year starting QBs since 1970, including 10 of their past 12. ... Watt’s 97 1/2 sacks are the most in the NFL since he made his debut in 2017. ... Pittsburgh’s victory over Atlanta was its 17th in one-score games (decided by eight points or fewer) since the start of 2022, tied with Minnesota the most in the NFL over that span. ... Broncos coach Sean Payton is 3-0 against Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, but all of those games came with Payton in New Orleans. Payton spoke all summer about the need for a fast start after a 1-5 stumble last year had the Broncos playing catch-up all season. But their rookie QB faces a daunting September versus four of the NFL’s best defensive minds in Mike Macdonald, Tomlin, Todd Bowles and Robert Saleh. ... Nix threw a whopping 42 passes in Week 1 but only threw for 138 yards as most of his throws were behind the sticks. ... Rookie WR Devaughn Vele led the Broncos with eight catches in the opener. ... In his first game as a defensive captain for Denver, ILB Alex Singleton had nine tackles, a pass breakup and a 21-yard interception return against Seattle. ... Second-year CB Riley Moss led Denver with a dozen tackles in his first start last week opposite star Patrick Surtain II. ... OLB Jonathan Cooper had a pair of sacks in Week 1.
Fantasy tip
WR Marvin Mims Jr. could be a sleeper pick in Week 2 if Vele and/or Reynolds are limited or even sit out. Mims was only targeted once in the opener and played a paltry 12 snaps. But he’s a guy who can really take the top off a defense with his superior speed that made him a Pro Bowl kick returner as a rookie a year ago. Some deep passes might also loosen up things underneath for Nix to hit medium-range throws.
PAYTON HAD HIS NUMBER WHILE COACH OF THE SAINTS CAUSE OF DREW BREES THERE IS NO BREES IN DENVER TOMLIN WILL WHIP HIS ASS SUNDAY PAYTON IS NOT A GOOD COACH ANYMORE HE HAS NO BREES
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