TotalBroncos

PITTSBURGH (AP) — For the third consecutive game, the Steelers will be without their star quarterback. At least it appears as if they’ll have the quarterback of their defense and the reigning team MVP back on the field.

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Steelers’ Roethlisberger ruled out for Ravens game (The Associated Press)

In “Start or Sit,” we make a call on players who merit strong starting consideration — and players who might be best on the bench. However, owners should tailor their own lineup strategy to their roster constraints, league rules and other relevant factors.

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Freeman, Moreno appealing plays in potential track meet (Pro Football Weekly)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey spent two seasons (2004-05) as head coach of the Bills and will need to solve the riddle at the quarterback position to avoid a similar short stay in Jacksonville. Chad Henne has stepped in for the injured Blaine Gabbert to pass for 615 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in helping lead the Jaguars to an overtime loss against the NFC South-leading Houston Texans and defeating the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Kudos to Bills head coach Chan Gailey for finally handing the starting running back job to C.J. Spiller. Pick: Bills 23, Jaguars 20 Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears With starting cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner facing four-game suspensions for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, this is a must-win game for the 6-5 Seahawks. Fortunately, unless both players dropping their appeals — which isn’t going to happen — Sherman and Browner will play against a banged-up Bears team that has already ruled out wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester and left guard Chris Spencer, a former Seahawks’ first-round pick who was injured in his first start as a replacement for an ineffective Chilo Rachal at left guard. Matt Forte and Lance Briggs are banged up, too, which should help the Seahawks win in Soldier Field for a second consecutive season. Pick: Seahawks 21, Bears 16 Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions Since Chuck Pagano’s leukemia diagnosis, the Colts are 6-2 and have a final five-week schedule that sets them up for a 10-win season, 11 if they can split with the Texans, who they’ll play twice in the final three weeks of the regular season. At the start of the season, this game was likely circled as a “W” for the Lions, who at 4-7 are in last place in the NFC North and are among the league’s bigger disappointments. Pick: Colts 20, Lions 17 Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers Playing without Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson and a pair of first-round offensive tackles (Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod) who were drafted to replace Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher was bound to catch up to the Packers. And it did so in a major way in last Sunday night’s 38-10 loss to the Giants. Green Bay should rebound at home against a Vikings team that will likely be without it’s most versatile offensive weapon, wide receiver Percy Harvin, who has been unable to practice due to a sprained left ankle. Pick: Packers 31, Vikings 24 Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs Give the Chiefs credit: they hung tough against the Broncos last Sunday, even leading the game in the second half for the first time in what has been an absolutely miserable season. Since the Chiefs ended the 2011 Packers’ attempt at an undefeated season on Dec. 18, 2011, they are 0-7 in regular season games at Arrowhead Stadium, including an 0-6 mark entering December. The franchise needs and will likely get a front office and coaching overhaul, but they’ll upset the Panthers, who are heading back on the road after beating the Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday night. Pick: Chiefs 23, Panthers 21 New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins The last time the Patriots played in Miami, Tom Brady passed for 517 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-24 blowout win. The Dolphins are much improved under first-year head coach Joe Philbin, who has the team in the playoff race entering December despite playing a rookie quarterback who had less than 20 starts at the college level. The Patriots have won 11 straight games in the month of December and Bill Belichick is notoriously harsh on rookie quarterbacks. Pick: Patriots 38, Dolphins 28

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Week 13 Sunday Picks: Ravens poised to complete season sweep of the Steelers (Shutdown Corner)

The NFL Live crew makes their picks for Tampa Bay at Denver.

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Video: Buccaneers at Broncos prediction

By Rich Kurtzman The Bucs stop here? Denver’s defense hopes it’s the case when Tampa Bay comes to Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium this week. The Buccaneers boast a balanced offensive philosophy, asking Josh Freeman to throw for big plays and for Doug Martin to run all over the field. To wit, Tampa’s 28.2 points per game are the fourth-most of any team and against the best offenses—Atlanta, Houston, New England—the Broncos were bested. It’s why defense is the first and foremost key to victory this week for the orange and blue. (Credit, Lecka/Getty Images) Fourth-year man Freeman has developed into a fantastic young quarterback, with a strong arm, solid decision-making and escapability. Freeman’s 21 touchdowns are good for sixth-most and he’s only thrown seven interceptions; protecting the ball and taking advantage of his scoring opportunities. He’s got tall and strong receivers to get the ball to in Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Jackson, a former star in college at Northern Colorado, has always enjoyed playing against the Broncos, with many big games in a San Diego Chargers uniform. He leads the team with 959 yards and seven touchdowns and his teammate Williams (625 yards, five TDs) is no slouch either. Both of them love the huge play and each are averaging over 16 yards per catch this season. If anyone can match up with those receiving threats it’s Denver’s smart secondary including Champ Bailey, Chris Harris and Tony Carter at cornerback. Where Tampa Bay is the biggest threat against the Broncos is in the run game, with Martin and LaGarrette Blount. Martin, nicknamed the “Muscle Hamster,” has already gained 1,050 yards and seven TDs this season. He’s smallish, at 5’9” 215 pounds, but it’s a bit deceptive as he’s shown the ability to bust runs through the tackles. Maybe his most valuable asset, though, is his speed and elusiveness. If Denver’s D doesn’t show up early for a second straight week, Marin—and Blount too—will run to their hearts’ content. Although, the Broncos’ allow a second-best 3.6 yards per carry, and if they tackle more soundly this Sunday, it’ll turn the Tampa offense one-dimensional. On defense, the Buccaneers bring the NFL’s best rush defense, allowing only 82 yards per game and 3.4 yards per rush to opponents. Denver lost their starting running back Willis McGahee two weeks ago, and Knowshon Moreno stepped up his game last week to run for 85 yards. The Broncos need a repeat performance from Moreno to keep the Bucs’ defense honest, but where their offense will make the most gains is through the passing game. Peyton Manning is arguably the NFL’s MVP through 11 games, as he continually proves he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play football. Manning’s got to be licking his chops leading up to this contest, as the Tampa Bay pass defense is the league’s worst in yards and yards per attempt given up. Conversely, Manning’s 7.4 yards per attempt are No. 1 among qualifying QB s—odds are, he’s going to have a huge day. Demaryius Thomas surpassed 1,000 yards receiving last week, and he’ll look to only build on that mark, while his receiving mate Eric Decker leads the team in touchdowns with eight. What could possibly hurt the Broncos passing game is if slot man Brandon Stokley cannot play due to an injured wrist and hip. But, playing in Denver’s favor is Buccaneers’ cornerback Eric Wright being suspended for using Adderall, meaning ageless wonder Ronde Barber may have to be moved to corner. On special teams, the Broncos look to again have the advantage, as Trindon Holliday has now returned two kicks (one punt, one kickoff) for a touchdown in only six games with the team. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. MT and can be seen on CBS. For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Broncos news, see  CBS Sports Denver . Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Find more of Rich’s Denver Broncos pieces on Examiner.com .

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bring Great Offense To Mile High City