The NFL odds finally caught up to the Denver Broncos last week. Can they get back on the money train on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Getting the win will be even more difficult. Denver (6-1 SU and ATS) is a 3-point home dog against the defending champions from Pittsburgh (5-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) in yet another display of public disbelief over the success the Broncos are having this year. They've been the underdogs in five of their seven games thus far, the exceptions being Cleveland (+3 on the road) and Oakland (+1 at home). That's an insult. The public Steelers have been favored by at least a field goal in every single game this season.

These two teams have only met four times over the past decade, with Denver holding a 3-1 SU advantage at 2-2 ATS. It would be more useful for football betting purposes to look at the 2-7 ATS record the New England Patriots have compiled in their last nine games against Pittsburgh. Current Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was one of Bill Belichick's assistants in New England for eight seasons before taking the top job in Denver this year.

The Broncos may not have the same offensive gifts as the former champions from New England, but McDaniels is getting excellent results from QB Kyle Orton (nine TDs, one INT), spreading the ball around to multiple receivers and keeping it out of the other teams' hands. The Steelers are playing mediocre pass defense this year, No. 16 in the league in terms of efficiency, and Pittsburgh has a minus-3 giveaway/takeaway differential this year. But the Steelers did score two defensive touchdowns in Week 7 to end Minnesota's undefeated streak. They'll be well rested after taking the bye in Week 8.

One man who probably won't make much of an impact is Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark. He has a blood condition called sickle-cell trait that, in Clark's case, is aggravated at high altitudes. Clark had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed after his last game in Denver two years ago. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expects the less-skilled Tyrone Carter to replace Clark in the starting lineup.

While Clark's likely absence is a positive for Denver supporters, the Broncos are going to be without right tackle Ryan Harris, who dislocated two toes last week against the Ravens. Harris will be replaced by Tyler Polumbus, who was a back-up tackle for the Broncos last year and is vulnerable to the pass rush at 6-foot-8 and “just” 300 pounds. Polumbus had trouble containing the Ravens last week after Harris was carted off, and Baltimore eventually prevailed 30-7 as a 4.5-point home favorite to spoil Denver's perfect season.

Denver's incredibly quick turnaround on defense has been well documented. The Broncos have gone from second-worst to second-best in defensive efficiency under McDaniels and new co-ordinator Mike Nolan. The signing of free agent safety Brian Dawkins was a positive move, as was the shift to Nolan's 3-4 defense - which, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, will likely be without starting DE Ryan McBean (knee) on Monday night. Le Kevin Smith, a former Patriot who spent most of his time on special teams, is penciled in to take McBean's place.

Pittsburgh's offense doesn't need any favors, but it would benefit from McBean's injury. Smith is not known for his run blocking, and the Steelers are just starting to find their feet under RB Rashard Mendenhall (5.4 yards per carry), who has finally and deservedly been given the No. 1 job over popular veteran Willie Parker (3.1 yards per carry). The one complaint about Mendenhall is his hands - he lost a fumble in each of Pittsburgh's last two games.

Denver can make Mendenhall's job that much more difficult by keeping the field as long as possible on special teams. This is a weakness for both clubs, but particularly with Pittsburgh's kick coverage, which is the worst in the league. The Broncos have already replaced punter Brett Kern with former Steeler Mitch Berger to positive results, and Pittsburgh hasn't gotten quite the results it was looking for from former CFL return specialist Stefan Logan. The importance of special teams from a betting standpoint is only magnified in what should be a close contest.

This information is provided in partnership with BoDog Sportsbook

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