2019 Steelers game by game predictions

Training Camp has started so let's do a game by game prediction for the upcoming year

Week 1 @ Patriots: No way the duo of Tomlin and Butler beat Bellichick and Brady for the 2x in a row. Also no way Tomlin and Butler win in New England against a QB better than Matt Cassel. Maybe they'll have a chance if they bring in that old LBs coach again. Steelers lose 23-31. Steelers 0-1.

Week 2 vs Seahawks: I just have a feeling that the Steelers will pick up the win, 1pm against a west coast team, the way Seattle has struggled this century in the Burgh. May be foolish optimism but I think the Steelers step up to win. Steelers win 27-13. Steelers 1-1

Week 3 @ 49ers: West coast trip and the 49ers will be better as long as Jimmy G stays healthy, and Nick Bosa now on defense. 49ers dominate. Steelers lose 10-31. Steelers 1-2

Week 4 vs Bengals: Steelers own this team. I don't expect the Bengals to be competitive honestly. Steelers win 34-7. Steeers 2-2

Week 5 vs Ravens: Home teams continue to dominate the Steelers season, this time Ben beats out Lamar Jackson and a short-handed B'more defense. Steelers win 28-14. Steelers 3-2

Week 6 @ Chargers: West coast struggles pop up again. Steelers get scorched by Phillip Rivers and the Chargers offense. Steelers lose 21-34. Steelers 3-3

Week 7 Bye

Week 8 vs Dolphins: I call this the Tomlin Special, the inexplicable loss to a god awful team. There's usually at least one and this is it. Steelers lose at home to one of the worst teams in the NFL because Tomlin teams play down to competition. Steelers lose 24-27. Steelers 3-4

Week 9 vs Colts: Just like the Steelers play down to competition, the Steelers also play up to competition against what I predict to be one of the best teams in 2019. This plus the fact that the Steelers have owned this series inclines me to slide them into the win column. I should predict the Colts to win, Frank Reich and Andrew Luck vs Keith Butler poses a mismatch in favor of Indy, and I should learn my lesson considering the Chiefs beat the Steelers with Pat Mahomes after the Steelers historically dominated that series. However, I predict the Steelers play up to the Colts and Ben goes off. Steelers win 41-38. Steelers 4-4.

Week 10 vs Rams: They may have been able to beat Frank Reich and the Colts offense thanks to Ben, but Ben can't save them again against Sean McVay's offense. Tomlin and Butler have no answer for the Rams offense and Aaron Donald makes enough plays. Steelers lose 23-35. 4-5

Week 11 @ Browns: I believe that Cleveland does live up to the talent. Certainly the duo of OBJ and Jarvis are too much for the Steelers defensive backfield. On the road, on Thursday night football, Pittsburgh will also have to contend with the atmosphere wihch I don't think the Steelers get prepared for. Steelers lose 17-31. 4-6

Week 12 @ Bengals: The Bengals will be one of the worst teams in the league, so naturally because Tomlin, this game will be close. Bengals however blow it because they're the Bengals and that's what the do. Steeler win 24-21. 5-6

Week 13 vs Browns: Steelers don't get swept by the Browns, in Pittsburgh, they are ready for them. Ben lights up the Browns in Pittsburgh. Steelers win 35-27. 6-6

Week 14 @ Cardinals: Again west coast struggles. Steelers however win due to the simple fact that the Cardinals are a mess with no direction. Steelers still play down to the competition though and need OT to win. Steelers win 26-20 OT. 7-6

Week 15 vs Bills: Steelers pick up their 4th straight win against a mediocre Bills team. They don't play down to Buffalo. Steelers win 34-17. 8-6

Week 16 @ Jets: The Jets snap the Steelers 4 game winning streak. Le'Veon Bell is bitter about not getting the contract he thought he deserved and gets revenge. After a disappointing season thus far in which he woefully underperforms his contract, Bell has a season-best game to the tune of well over 137 rushing yards, 184 total yards and 2 TDs feuling a Jets win. Bell then proceeds to act like a jackass on the field after the win. The loss also clinches the AFC North for Cleveland. Steelers lose 21-24. 8-7

Week 17 @Ravens: The Steelers need a win over the Ravens and a Texans loss to make it to the playoffs. Steelers have won twice in a row in Baltimore but don't make it 3 in a row as the defense lets Lamar Jackson have a good day against them. Steelers lose 24-27. Finish 8-8.

I know people are going to complain about this prediction. They think I should have the Steelers win the division and be contending for a Super Bowl because "Bell and AB are gone", "The Steelers are focused now", and "Cleveland is overhyped". Bell and AB causing distractions weren't the only problems last year. This team still has unresolved problems. The coaching is still below average and probably is actually worse as their best assistant coaches were let go or left and most of the bad coaches that should have been let go are still here. At best the special teams has question marks everywhere. The defensive backfield is a major question mark, as is the LB corp, even with Devin Bush being drafted. Plus we really don't know how the Steelers passing game will do without AB or if another WR will step up behind Juju. If not then it will be even more difficult to make the playoffs.

I will not make a prediction, since it is too hard, but I will say the best and worst case for steelers for the regular season.

Best Case: I do not think a first round bye is impossible, but our WR after JuJu will have to be very good and our defense will have to be better.

Worst case: 8-8 ... I say 8-8, because even when steelers look awful (including the coaching staff) Tomlin always finds a way to not have a losing season.

I don’t think your predictions are that far fetched. I think they beat the Jets and lose to the Cardinals. I think they wind up in the neighborhood of 7-9 to 9-7. It’s all going to come down to how they play on the West Coast and versus those West Coast teams. Cardinals, Chargers, Seahawks, Rams and Niners. If they win 3-4 of this games they’ll be in decent shape. They lose 3-4 of those games, they’re back in the hole. Tomlin needs to up his West Coast/Left Coast style!!

My bold prediction is that the Steelers will be 3-0 on the West Coast in 2019!

I know, I'm probably too crazy to think that, but that's why I say it's a bold prediction!

If the Steelers truly do embrace this offense's ability to run the ball against anybody I think there's a chance to win every game on the schedule. Plus JuJu, Moncreif, McDonald, Eli, and Switzer have a proven track record to make the pass game respectable too. Not foolish enough to think the Steelers go undefeated but we can still score vs any defense with this team. I think we will miss Bell and AB at times but overall will be better.

The defense (the one that has led the league in sacks the past 2 seasons) should be improved. VW, Bush, and Barron is a better combo in the middle than VW, Bostic, and Red. Haden and Nelson is an upgrade over Haden and Burns.

I'll predict a record somewhere between 10-6 and 14-2.

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Originally Posted by polamalubeast

My bold prediction is that the Steelers will be 3-0 on the West Coast in 2019!

I know, I'm probably too crazy to think that, but that's why I say it's a bold prediction!

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I like this prediction. SF, LAC, and AZ should all fall to the Steelers but we have not done well on the west coast historically.

18-1

The Steelers lose the opener to the Taperiots, and then win the next 18 (for Pittsburgh’s seventh Lombardi).

Normally, I would say 19-0... but, I’m in the giving mood. The loss to the Taperiots gives the Massholes bragging rights and also allows the majority of Steelers fans to still complain (“Tomlin can’t beat Belichick”).

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Originally Posted by Born2Steel

If the Steelers truly do embrace this offense's ability to run the ball against anybody I think there's a chance to win every game on the schedule. Plus JuJu, Moncreif, McDonald, Eli, and Switzer have a proven track record to make the pass game respectable too. Not foolish enough to think the Steelers go undefeated but we can still score vs any defense with this team. I think we will miss Bell and AB at times but overall will be better.

The defense (the one that has led the league in sacks the past 2 seasons) should be improved. VW, Bush, and Barron is a better combo in the middle than VW, Bostic, and Red. Haden and Nelson is an upgrade over Haden and Burns.

I'll predict a record somewhere between 10-6 and 14-2.

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I like this prediction. SF, LAC, and AZ should all fall to the Steelers but we have not done well on the west coast historically.

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That's why I say it's a bold prediction!

For running the ball more, I do not think it's going to happen ... Of course, it could happen if the steelers often have a big lead and they run the ball a lot because of that, but if their game is close, like that been often the case in the last 2 years, steelers will rely on Ben's arm

I heard no player or coach say we want to run the ball more ... Even Ryan Switzer said the steelers will still be a pass happy team in 2019!

the Steelers will go no worse than 8-8.

Tomlin has never had a losing season...

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

the Steelers will go no worse than 8-8.

Tomlin has never had a losing season...

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This is the reason why I said in post number 2 in this thread that 8-8 is the worst case scenario for the steelers!

Not going to make a win loss prediction but will predict this will prove to be a better team then last year. Why ? This years team has better quality depth, Solid at RB and even with AB gone i think the wr depth is better. Many will say we are weak at TE but I think Grimble is a solid backup and plus the rookie.

People say defense wins championships and I say quality depth does. Also another reason the last couple years the Steelers didn't go far in the playoffs with Bell and Brown. Was no good backup depth when they got injured.

Oh and I think the defense depth is better as well.

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Originally Posted by polamalubeast

This is the reason why I said in post number 2 in this thread that 8-8 is the worst case scenario for the steelers!

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great minds think alike :cool:

Still staying with my initial prediction. 8 wins or less for the Steelers in 2019.

People will say Cleveland is overhyped and Pittsburgh should be improved due to dumping the cancer, and I'm of the opinion that the cancer will continue.

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Originally Posted by Edman

People will say Cleveland is overhyped and Pittsburgh should be improved due to dumping the cancer, and I'm of the opinion that the cancer will continue.

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who do you see as the Steelers' new potential cancer?

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Originally Posted by teegre

18-1

The Steelers lose the opener to the Taperiots, and then win the next 18 (for Pittsburgh’s seventh Lombardi).

Normally, I would say 19-0... but, I’m in the giving mood. The loss to the Taperiots gives the Massholes bragging rights and also allows the majority of Steelers fans to still complain (“Tomlin can’t beat Belichick”).

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Screw the cheats!!! and that's putting it mildly.

I aint scared we will win in N.E. and you heard it hear 1st.

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Originally Posted by Butch

Screw the cheats!!! and that's putting it mildly.

I aint scared we will win in N.E. and you heard it hear 1st.

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The Steelers will have a punt-return TD called back by a phantom hold. (An apology will be issued the following day.)

Then, very late in the fourth quarter, up by 4 points, on a ballsy fourth-&-goal by the Steelers, the refs blow in inadvertent whistle, negating a James Conner TD. The Steelers having used their “money” play, re-think things and decide to kick the FG (to go up by 7 points).

On the ensuing drive, it’s fourth-&-27 for the Taperiots at their own 30. The NFL decides that it’s time to try out its shiny, new “pass-interference review-system”. If you thought that the Joe Haden PI call against the Saints was bad, wait until you see this. Not only does Haden have position (the WR would technically be the defender) the only contact made is by the Taperiots WR who tackles Haden. First-&-goal from the one. TD

Haden loses his sh!t after the TD, resulting in the two-point conversion being placed at the one. Two pints!!!... the Taperiots eke our a 29-28 victory. The media ball-washes the Taleriots, and Steelers fans second-guess Tomlin for not going for the TD (instead of kicking the FG).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by teegre

The Steelers will have a punt-return TD called back by a phantom hold. (An apology will be issued the following day.)

Then, very late in the fourth quarter, up by 4 points, on a ballsy fourth-&-goal by the Steelers, the refs blow in inadvertent whistle, negating a James Conner TD. The Steelers having used their “money” play, re-think things and decide to kick the FG (to go up by 7 points).

On the ensuing drive, it’s fourth-&-27 for the Taperiots at their own 30. The NFL decides that it’s time to try out its shiny, new “pass-interference review-system”. If you thought that the Joe Haden PI call against the Saints was bad, wait until you see this. Not only does Haden have position (the WR would technically be the defender) the only contact made is by the Taperiots WR who tackles Haden. First-&-goal from the one. TD

Haden loses his sh!t after the TD, resulting in the two-point conversion being placed at the one. Two pints!!!... the Taperiots eke our a 29-28 victory. The media ball-washes the Taleriots, and Steelers fans second-guess Tomlin for not going for the TD (instead of kicking the FG).

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The other worst case scenario for this game is losing the game because Boswell missed a game winning FG at the end .... Nobody would be confident at the end if this game is decided by Boswell's foot.

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Originally Posted by polamalubeast

The other worst case scenario for this game is losing the game because Boswell missed a game winning FG at the end .... Nobody would be confident at the end if this game is decided by Boswell's foot.

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In this version, though, Boswell will make it from 55 yards... but... there would be an intermittent whistle (making the play dead). Box then makes it a second time... but... a phantom false-start negates the kick. They try from 60, but it falls 1 yard short.

Derision & second-guessing ensue.

I don't get all the 8-8 predictions. We will easily have 10 wins and win the north. The defense will be considerably better and I don't think our offense will suffer at all.

0-16 I just hope the Steelers can win a game! :chuckle: