The over-under in wins for Pgh is 8.5

[TeeTee]

Not too far off. But I would take the over. The D will be improved and the O is loaded. Even with that tough schedule, I see them winning 10.

[fansince'76]

If I'm going to be off, might as well be WAY off - I'll take the over at 13 games.

[86WARD]

I'll take the over at 9.

[86WARD]

If I'm going to be off, might as well be WAY off - I'll take the over at 13 games.

Running yer mouth!

[GBMelBlount]

Running yer mouth!

LOL.

12-4.

[polamalubeast]

I would not be surprised to see the Steelers start the season 4-0,even if Bell is out for three games.

The Patriots are without Brady, the 49ers are far from being the same team from 2011 to 2013, the rams have not QB and the Ravens, it is a big challenge, but this is at home on a Thursday night, where the teams on the road are often disadvantaged

[Godfather]

I can see the logic behind that O/U. We lost a lot on defense and we play in a tough division.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I would not be surprised to see the Steelers start the season 4-0,even if Bell is out for three games.

The Patriots are without Brady, the 49ers are far from being the same team from 2011 to 2013, the rams have not QB and the Ravens, it is a big challenge, but this is at home on a Thursday night, where the teams on the road are often disadvantaged

You're wrong on that point. They have Foles. Don't be surprised if he plays better than Bradford ever did for the Rams. I think that we'll win that game but it's not going to be a cake walk.

If we come out of the first 4 games 3-1, I'll be happy.

[polamalubeast]

You're wrong on that point. They have Foles. Don't be surprised if he plays better than Bradford ever did for the Rams. I think that we'll win that game but it's not going to be a cake walk.

If we come out of the first 4 games 3-1, I'll be happy.

same for me.

For Foles, I have no confidence in him, but we'll see....I can be wrong too

[Steeldude]

I will go with 8-8.

Too many "ifs" on defense.

[GBMelBlount]

I will go with 8-8.

Too many "ifs" on defense.

Really?

What positions do you see us possibly getting worse at?

[Steeldude]

Really?

What positions do you see us possibly getting worse at?

Not worse, but not better. Question marks at CB, LB and safety.

[GBMelBlount]

Not worse, but not better. Question marks at CB, LB and safety.

I agree with you.

But I do think there are several positions we will improve at due to our younger players gaining another year of experience; plus the mini me ball hawks we drafted.

[TeeTee]

I will go with 8-8.

Too many "ifs" on defense.

I like the chances of the "ifs" being better than the "knowns" of last year.

I feel we will have "addition through subtraction." The team will play better D without all of LeBeau and Polamalu's antics. Mitchell will be better without having to juggle the Troy zaniness. Whoever plays where Ike did will be an improvement. Harrison will be game shape week 1, not the case last year. Tuitt and McClenon will be better. Shazier will be better. Jones might be. The biggest factor is LeBeau being gone. That freshens everything up. No more man love, no more hero worship - just time to go to work and get better.

[Steeldude]

I like the chances of the "ifs" being better than the "knowns" of last year.

I feel we will have "addition through subtraction." The team will play better D without all of LeBeau and Polamalu's antics. Mitchell will be better without having to juggle the Troy zaniness. Whoever plays where Ike did will be an improvement. Harrison will be game shape week 1, not the case last year. Tuitt and McClenon will be better. Shazier will be better. Jones might be. The biggest factor is LeBeau being gone. That freshens everything up. No more man love, no more hero worship - just time to go to work and get better.

My opinion on the 8-8 also has to do with the difficulty in the Steelers' schedule.

I like the promise of what could be also, but I will wait : )

[TeeTee]

I would not be surprised to see the Steelers start the season 4-0,even if Bell is out for three games.

The Patriots are without Brady, the 49ers are far from being the same team from 2011 to 2013, the rams have not QB and the Ravens, it is a big challenge, but this is at home on a Thursday night, where the teams on the road are often disadvantaged

I think it's more likely we go 2-2 to start. No Bell for 3 games. Even without Brady, Belichick will have that team ready. I don't like that he has all these months to prepare for Pgh. in their house, prime time, coming off Super Bowl win. I don't like it. But we kill SF week 2. Lose in AZ (that team is better than many realize. Even with an inconsistent Foles that D is going to be on Ben's ass all day. Fisher has that team on the rise. Without Bell, they will unleash the hounds on pass rush. Then I see us bouncing back vs. the Ravens. 2-2. Then lose to SD, beat AZ at home, lose at KC (they are tough at home), beat Cinci, Oak, Browns, lose at Seat., beat Indy, Cinci again, upset win in Denver (Manning's arm will be weak), lose at Balt., beat Cleveland again. 10-6.

[hawaiiansteeler]

My opinion on the 8-8 also has to do with the difficulty in the Steelers' schedule.

I agree, this is a very difficult schedule we'll be facing this season...

[GBMelBlount]

I like the chances of the "ifs" being better than the "knowns" of last year.

I feel we will have "addition through subtraction."

The team will play better D without all of LeBeau and Polamalu's antics.

Mitchell will be better without having to juggle the Troy zaniness.

Whoever plays where Ike did will be an improvement. Harrison will be game shape week 1, not the case last year.

Tuitt and McClenon will be better. Shazier will be better. Jones might be.

The biggest factor is LeBeau being gone. That freshens everything up. No more man love, no more hero worship - just time to go to work and get better.

Good post.

However with so many changes I do think it may take a while for defense to click.

[TeeTee]

Good post.

However with so many changes I do think it may take a while for defense to click.

Probably will take some time to click, sure. But even in that state, will it really be worse than last year? I don't think it will. We will be young and making mistakes, but I also see them making more splash plays at the same time. I feel we will create more turnovers, and they are huge.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib -

11-5 if Ben stays healthy. 6-10 if he doesn't.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib

[Steeldude]

*Bumped*

I noticed a some threads with the theme of how well the Steelers will do this coming year. It looks like people are changing their mind as pre-season reaches an end.

[86WARD]

I've shaved one or two games off the win column after seeing how horrific the defense has been in preseason.

[ALLD]

I will go with 8-8.

Too many "ifs" on defense.

And it might be a crawl back to 8-8, especially if they go on one of those patented Tomlin losing streaks with press conferences full of colloquialisms and allegories.

[Rotorhead]

I'm just hoping the defense puts it together in the first quarter of the season, at this point I am missing last years Lebeau and Troy!

[zulater]

11-5

[hawaiiansteeler]

And it might be a crawl back to 8-8, especially if they go on one of those patented Tomlin losing streaks with press conferences full of colloquialisms and allegories.

"the arrow is not pointing up right now, if you will. I don't live in my fears, I live in my hopes and I'll wear that like a badge of honor. the standard is the standard, it's important we get back on that side of the ledger. the proof is in the pudding, we will chew on that, however tough the meat is."

[Steeldude]

"the arrow is not pointing up right now, if you will. I don't live in my fears, I live in my hopes and I'll wear that like a badge of honor. the standard is the standard, it's important we get back on that side of the ledger. the proof is in the pudding, we will chew on that, however tough the meat is."

You forgot to pepper your post with "um's".

[Cyphon25]

8.5 does seem just about exact. I could see 8-8 or 9-7. Barring offensive line catastrophic injuries I think we end up with a top 3 offense in the NFL. Just too many weapons not to be. Losing Pouncey hurts but Wallace is at least solid and a known commodity. The real potential is going to lie with Wheaton and Bryant. You essentially have to double AB and if you do that these guys are good enough to take advantage of 1 on 1's and soft zones. I could see Wheaton having a really nice year, if quietly.

The obvious worry is the defense. I can see them actually being worse than last year. Shemarko is completely unproven and while one could argue Mitchell can do better without worrying about Troy improvising he still has to adjust to playing with Shemarko and staying healthy. He has already been injured twice again this preseason. I do think the D Line will be improved with Tuitt taking a nice leap.

LB's I can see being roughly the same. Harrison is going to play over Jones and Moats is roughly the same as Worilds IMO. Won't get anything amazing out of him but he should be a solid starter.

CB's might show a little improvement over last year. Gay is going to be a good starter again and Cortez has potential if the confidence stays up. Backups are solid as well. Key is really going to be the safety play though.

Then looking at ST's it is bound to be worse. Suisham gone, now another kicker down, return game still looks weak in all areas and coverage units have been gashed a few times as well.

[steelreserve]

When I saw this I immediately bet on the over, and right then is when everyone started getting injured and suspended.

[tube517]

"the arrow is not pointing up right now, if you will. I don't live in my fears, I live in my hopes and I'll wear that like a badge of honor. the standard is the standard, it's important we get back on that side of the ledger. the proof is in the pudding, we will chew on that, however tough the meat is."

This post should be here: http://www.steelersuniverse.com/foru...44-Tomlin-isms

My record prediction is 9-7