Thursday's National Football League Capsules

Nov 5, 2009 - 7:45 PM ---=

Monday, Nov. 9=

PITTSBURGH (5-2) at DENVER (6-1)

8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN=

OPENING LINE - Steelers by 2 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Pittsburgh 2-5; Denver 6-1

SERIES RECORD - Broncos lead 13-6-1

LAST MEETING - Broncos beat Steelers 31-28, Oct. 21, 2007

LAST WEEK - Steelers bye, beat Vikings 27-17 in Week 7; Broncos lost to Ravens 30-7

STEELERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (6), RUSH (19), PASS (5)

STEELERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (8), RUSH (1) PASS (16)

BRONCOS OFFENSE - OVERALL (14), RUSH (1), PASS (16)

BRONCOS DEFENSE - OVERALL (1), RUSH (3), PASS (8)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Pittsburgh's top receiver, Hines Ward, is averaging 14.3 yards per catch. Denver's top wideout, Brandon Marshall, is averaging 10.8 yards per reception. Marshall, however, has twice as many TDs (4) as Ward. ... Steelers rookie WR Mike Wallace has them beat, averaging 17.5 yards per catch (21 receptions, 368 yards). ... In two games against Denver, Ward has averaged 102.5 yards receiving. ... Steelers have won four straight despite minus-3 turnover differential. Denver is plus-6. ... Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is 4-0 on Monday nights. ... Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall had rushed for TDs in four straight games. ... LB James Harrison, who has 24 sacks in last 22 games, will face right tackle Tyler Polumbus, who is making first NFL start with Ryan Harris out this week with two dislocated toes on right foot. ... In last four Monday night games, Harrison has 8 1/2 sacks. ... Denver QB Kyle Orton is 27-13 as starter. He ranks second in the NFL with 124.2 passer rating in fourth quarter. ... RB Knowshon Moreno leads NFL rookies with 420 yards rushing. ... Broncos rank second in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 13.7 points per game. ... Broncos rank first in AFC and second in league with 23 sacks, led by Elvis Dumervil's 10. ... Broncos P Mitch Berger averaged 38.4 yards on eight punts in Denver debut last week after replacing Brett Kern.

END CAPSULES