ESPN NFL Season Preview - Steelers #2

[AtlantaDan]

ESPN has its NFL season preview online

Steelers projected as #2 team in NFL behind Pats

Favored to win 14 out of 16 (losses @ Chiefs & Pats) but ESPN beat reporter Jeremy Fowler predicts 11-5 record (losses @Ravens, @Chiefs, @Lions, Packers, & @Texans) - a 4-4 road record would be disappointing

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/20437874/mega-nfl-preview-1-32-projections-fantasy-breakouts-picks-bold-predictions-qb-rankings-2017#steelers


(http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/20437874/mega-nfl-preview-1-32-projections-fantasy-breakouts-picks-bold-predictions-qb-rankings-2017#steelers)

[Rotorhead]

I think 13-3 with a key win vs the Pats.

[GBMelBlount]

I agree with his general assessment and am starting to believe (as stated) that we could have a top 5 defense, especially by season's end.

However, I think 6 - 10 is more likely

Record-wise, I am guessing 11-5 or 12-4.

Regardless, I think we have the elements in place for this to a very exciting year.

[86WARD]

If they don't hit 13 with a victory against NE, it's nearly guaranteed that the AFC playoffs will go through NE. Still a lot of time for things to change though...

[Born2Steel]

I'm ready.

[43Hitman]

We WILL beat the *Pats this year.

[polamalubeast]

My prediction for this year in the regular season has always been,12-4 with a first round bye(2nd seed).....And yes the steelers can win in Foxboro if they play better defense.

[ALLD]

Pats play the Bills and the Jets twice which = 4 wins for showing up.

[AtlantaDan]

Pats play the Bills and the Jets twice which = 4 wins for showing up.

As I said in another thread, an offshore service I use quotes odds for every team winning its division (Steelers are -180 to win AFC North) except the AFC East. Pats are such a lock to win the AFC East the book is not even quoting odds.

Miami might give the Pats a game at home but that requires relying on Jay Cutler

[polamalubeast]

I will never trust Jay Cutler to win a game against the Pats.

[Edman]

@ Lions

vs Jaguars

I see these games as the potentially really stupid annual losses that costs the Steelers a higher seed that seems to happen every year. The Titans actually aren't a bad team, so they don't count.

This team looks stacked on paper, but I know them like the back of my hand. The Steelers WILL drop a few games and finish with 10-11 wins again.

[teegre]

19-0

[Iron Steeler]

19-0

I am with you!

[fansince'76]

I see these games as the potentially really stupid annual losses that costs the Steelers a higher seed that seems to happen every year. The Titans actually aren't a bad team, so they don't count.

This team looks stacked on paper, but I know them like the back of my hand. The Steelers WILL drop a few games and finish with 10-11 wins again.

Yeah, they always seem to have 2-3 "WTF?" games every year.

[EzraTank]

Home field just doesn't matter if we have to play the Pats. They are our kyrponite. Has Ben EVER beaten Brady?

Until Brady retires I just don't see us every beating them. We never have in the playoffs with Brady healthy. Now if some other team upsets them I could see us winning but they are just are Achilles heal.

But as far as record you just know as others have said we always have our WTF 34-3 loss to a shit team, and then one to two choke jobs against our division.

[Hawkman]

Home field just doesn't matter if we have to play the Pats. They are our kyrponite. Has Ben EVER beaten Brady?

Until Brady retires I just don't see us every beating them. We never have in the playoffs with Brady healthy. Now if some other team upsets them I could see us winning but they are just are Achilles heal.

But as far as record you just know as others have said we always have our WTF 34-3 loss to a shit team, and then one to two choke jobs against our division.

Ben beat Brady the very first time they played against each other.

[Edman]

Has Ben EVER beaten Brady?

Their very first meeting in 2004, and again in 2011.

Fun fact about that 2011 game. Not only was it the last time the Steelers defeated New England, it was the last time they dominantly played man defense against their receivers. Brady didn't throw a pick, but he had one of his worst outings against the Steelers, and the Pats were limited to 17.

The Steelers had Ike and Cortez Allen at corner.

Cortez Allen actually was a really solid man corner in 2011, who blanketed the Pats midgets. He was so good, he was signed to a new contract, then of course, he went off a cliff.

It was also the end of Lamarr Woodley, who was effectively unblockable and tormented Tom all game, before getting a hammy injury that effectively ended him.

This game is really depressing in retrospect.