STEELERS VS. BRONCOS BLITZ BURGH Can the Steelers defense corral the Broncos? Or will Jake "The Snake" keep his cool? By TOM WILLIAMS VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

DENVER -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are the first NFL playoff team to knock off a number three seed and a number one seed in the same postseason.
Today, they hope to complete the trifecta with another road win, this one against the second-seeded Broncos, who are 9-0 at home.
Coach Bill Cowher has led the Steelers to playoff road victories over the No. 3 Bengals and No. 1 Colts. Today Pittsburgh plays at Invesco Field at Mile High, where the Broncos last weekend knocked off the Patriots, 27-13, ending their 10-game postseason winning streak.
"We are traveling a path right now that no one else has been on," Cowher said. "We certainly aren't going to let history dictate our journey."
Is there one more road victory in the Steelers' playbook?
Here's a test
Here are factors to consider:
UCan Steelers tailbacks Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis run effectively against the Broncos' front seven?
UCan quarterback Ben Roethlisberger escape the Broncos' pass rush and keep the ball out of the hands of Denver's strong secondary?
UCan the Steelers' 3-4 defensive scheme contain Broncos running backs Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell?
UCan the Steelers defenders blitz effectively enough to harass Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer into making shaky decisions?
UCan the Steelers win the turnover battle?
UCan the Steelers shake off the effects of Denver's mile-high altitude?
If the answer to more than three of those questions is yes, the Steelers have an excellent chance of making their sixth trip to the Super Bowl.
Not an easy task
It won't be easy.
Although the Broncos aren't as star-laden as in the John Elway Super Bowl years, they're still pretty good.
Anderson rushed for 1,014 yards while Bell gained 921.
"He's a tough runner," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said of Anderson. "He's a little bit bigger than Tatum Bell and I think Bell may have a little more speed.
"[Anderson] has a little bit more power, good vision and good balance," Farrior said. "Mike Anderson might have a little more inside-run capability. We've got to be prepared for the typical one-two punch."
Cowher said Bell has "got some serious speed. Mike Anderson is a good cut-back runner, power runner."
Plummer completed 60.7 percent of his passes, throwing for 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a 90.2 passer rating, fifth-best in the AFC.
Of Plummer, Roethlisberger said, "You have to respect his athleticism, how good he is out of the pocket on the run improvising plays, throwing the ball sidearmed, underarmed, everything. The guy could [probably] throw it left-handed if he had to."
Wide receiver Rod Smith caught 85 passes for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns.
A takeaway team
Cowher noted that "they have a plus 20 turnover/takeaway ratio -- that's a big part of their success. They took the ball away five times against New England, who rarely has interceptions.
"Jake has thrown the fewest interceptions in the National Football League," Cowher said.
But like Roethlisberger, he doesn't throw as much as other top-rated quarterbacks.
Plummer admits his ability to move around is a key to the Broncos' success.
"If they bring some blitzes, then hopefully I can make a guy miss and get out of there," Plummer said. "They have a great defense, so they are going to have a great plan, whether it is trying to keep me in the pocket or put a lot of pressure on me.
"Every quarterback they have played, especially during this streak, they have been able to put a lot of pressure on," Plummer said. "They have forced them to make a lot of quick decisions."
Bengals starter Carson Palmer completed the one pass he threw for a 66-yard completion to Chris Henry. Backup Jon Kitna completed 24-of-40 for 197 yards. But Kitna was sacked three times and intercepted twice in the second half of a 14-point loss.
Last Sunday, Peyton Manning was sacked five times. The two-time NFL MVP was 22-of-38 for 290 yards, but couldn't quite rally his team from a 21-3 deficit.
"If you make one slip or one bad move, they can come up with the ball," said Plummer, the Broncos' third-year starter after six seasons in Arizona. "They really have some ball hogs."
First game since 2003
Because the teams haven't played since 2003, Denver cornerback Champ Bailey says this week's preparation "posed another challenge. The one thing about the Steelers, they don't try to trick you much.
"They will give you a few trick plays, but when they are in their rhythm, they are coming right at you.
"I think that's not as difficult as preparing for someone like Peyton Manning, who tries to throw everything at you," Bailey said. "At the same time, [the Steelers] are a tough football team and have tough personnel. They have great players across the board."
The Broncos' defense was second in AFC against the rush (85.2 yards per game) and second in takeaways (20 interceptions, 16 fumbles). But the defense produced just 28 sacks.
"They do some uncharacteristic stuff," tight end Heath Miller said. "Their linebackers are some of the best in the league. The whole front seven is tough."
Roethlisberger agreed.
"It's a tough defense, it's not going to be easy by any means. They show you a lot of different looks, they're very fast," Roethlisberger said. "I've watched a lot of film trying to pick up things here and there.
"We're going to have to bring our 'A game' to be able to play with them because of all the things they do."
Challenge they relished
The Steelers agreed that playing away from Heinz Field has been a challenge they've relished.
"We're going in as an underdog and it seems that we've been playing that role a lot this year," Roethlisberger said. "When you go on the road, no one believes you can do it but you. And that'd what I think fuels this team, that we've got each others' backs."
Right tackle Max Starks says it's a matter of pride.
"Actually we like it away because the field is a little bit better," Starks said. "We're a good team on the road and it's one of the things we take pride in. We respond to that crowd noise."
One thing the Steelers no longer possess -- the element of surprise.
"Against Cincinnati and Indianapolis, we came out and tried to mix up the offense a little bit, trying to keep the defense on their heels," Roethlisberger said. "No one expected us to throw the ball."
Today, the Broncos are likely to be ready for anything.
williams@vindy.com