Pittsburgh Steelers – 2015 Super Bowl Chances
As much as any franchise in the NFL the Pittsburgh Steelers expect to win. As a result last year do not sit well with the franchise but with no overly dominant team in the division right now there is no reason they can not reverse their fortune and get back on top of the division this season.
They have about as much of a chance as anyone except Cleveland. The key will be getting off to much better start than 2013. Almost anything would be.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Head coach: Mike Tomlin
2013 Record: 8-8
Steelers Betting Odds to win AFC North: +190
Steelers Betting Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1
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Key addition:
Ryan Shazier, LB
Key loss:
LaMarr Woodley, LB
Steelers Strengths
Over the course of Ben Roethlisberger’s career he has endured his fair share of criticism. A lot of it is warranted but he is still also one of the best winners in the league and has not lost the physical abilities to lead the team.
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He may not look super smooth out there but he still has the arm and enough mobility to make plays when he needs to move.
Second year RB Le’Veon Bell has been making headlines off the field but that doesn’t discount what he achieved last year. He is a rare thumper with soft hands and I like LeGarrette Blount as his backup. Throw in super speedy rookie Dri Archer and you have a really nice mix in the backfield.
Pittsburgh has done a nice job turning over its linebackers. This year they drafted speedy Ryan Shazier and combine him Lawrence Timmons inside. That can be a dynamic group. Jason Worilds and second year man Jarvis Jones provide heat from the edge.
This is the strongest group on the defense.
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Steelers Weaknesses
The Steelers are used to being really strong up front, setting things up for their back 7 to make lots of plays. This year they are hoping to get back to that status but it is not very promising unless Cam Jordan makes a huge leap.
There is little to fear up there which is part of the reason their LBs are not as productive as they used to be.
He has blazed a trail out of town but the Steelers are going to miss Emmanuel Sanders. They have loaded up on receivers to try and fill the void but none are as good and I am not buying into Markus Wheaton being ready.
I love Antonio Brown but as good as he is he doesn’t command as much attention as other number ones.
I have nothing bad to say about safety Troy Polamalu but he is in his 12th season and so is Ike Taylor. That is a lot of experience but also a lot of mileage at positions where being a step slow is everything.
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No young players have stepped up and I don’t see who is going to.
They are thin back there.
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL 2014 Prediction: 9-7
2014 Steelers NFL Schedule:
- 1. September 7 1:00PM ET Cleveland Browns
- 2. September 11 8:25PM ET @ Baltimore Ravens
- 3. September 21 8:30PM ET @ Carolina Panthers
- 4. September 28 1:00PM ET Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 5. October 5 1:00PM ET @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- 6. October 12 1:00PM ET @ Cleveland Browns
- 7. October 20 8:30PM ET Houston Texans
- 8. October 26 4:25PM ET Indianapolis Colts
- 9. November 2 8:30PM ET Baltimore Ravens
- 10. November 9 1:00PM ET @ New York Jets
- 11. November 17 8:30PM ET @ Tennessee Titans
- 12. Bye Week
- 13. November 30 1:00PM ET New Orleans Saints
- 14. December 7 1:00PM ET @ Cincinnati Bengals
- 15. December 14 1:00PM ET @ Atlanta Falcons
- 16. December 21 1:00PM ET Kansas City Chiefs
- 17. December 28 1:00PM ET Cincinnati Bengals
The Steelers will be in the thick of it this season after two years out of the playoffs. I doubt Mike Tomlin is in trouble but another losing year might cause some heat. The way things are likely to shake out is they will go into that final week with the chance to make the playoffs.
On the wagering side of things look to play some overs. The reputation of the Steelers being strong on defense won’t the reality this season but it can take a while for the books to come around on these kinds of things.
Take advantage.
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