Tribune football writer John Mullin analyzes the Denver-Pittsburgh game:
OFFENSE
Denver better balanced with John Elway and Terrell Davis, but Jerome Bettis, who had 125 yards in Steelers’ Dec. 7 win over Broncos, due for big game after being held down in his last two outings by New England. Davis rolling with 285 yards and 4 TDs in Denver’s two playoff games. Denver No. 1 in scoring.
EDGE: Broncos
DEFENSE
Pittsburgh rushing defense held Davis to 75 yards on 21 carries in December win. No one blitzes better than Bill Cowher’s defense. Broncos have defended run better in postseason but Yancey Thigpen beat Darrien Gordon for 3 TDs last time.
EDGE: Steelers
SPECIAL TEAMS
Pittsburgh punter Josh Miller hurt Steelers early but pinned Patriots inside New England 5 in game’s waning minutes. Gordon returned three punts for scores and averaged 13.6 yards per return during the regular season, plus one for 36 yards in the win at Kansas City.
EDGE: Broncos.
COACHING
Mike Shanahan is as good at offense as Bill Cowher is at defense. Cowher is making his third trip to the AFC title game in six years and outcoached Shanahan in the first meeting.
EDGE: Steelers.
INTANGIBLES
Steelers have won last eight games at home and four straight playoff games there. Revenge motivation strong for Denver, which learned from last year’s playoff disappointment against Jacksonville. But defense seldom takes a day off.
EDGE: Steelers.
