With preseason coming up it is time again to do game-by-game predictions for the Steelers. Last year they got very lucky and won a lot of close games against bad and mediocre teams. That doesn't tend to happen 2 years in a row so they are due for a stepback especially with Ryan Shazier not adequately replaced. Looking at the schedule, they are set up for a fast start proceeded by an ugly skid the 2nd half of the year
Week 1 @ Browns: I know I may be wrong, but I don't think this game will be as close as last year's games against the Browns. I think the overhyping of the Browns may help the Steelers play to a higher level. Browns are still competive for a time, but this doesn't go down to the wire. Steelers win 30-20 1-0.
Week 2 vs Chiefs: Supposedly Patrick Mahomes is already a franchise QB despite having barely played because he has a big arm. JaMarcus Russell had a big arm, so did Kyle Boller. Having a big arm doesn't mean anything if you can't play the position. Anyway, Steelers still have a firm grip on this series and while Bell likely won't be as dominant because he didn't show up to camp, the Chiefs getting worse on defense after trading Marcus Peters should equate to more TDs, especially at home. Steelers win 27-21 2-0.
Week 3 @ Bucs: This plays out like so many games last year. Steelers play down to inferior opponent, opposing starting QB the Steelers should contain has great game (in this case Ryan Fitzpatrick surpasses 300 yards), however, Big Ben and AB step up in the clutch and come back from 4th quarter defecit and Boswell drills game winning field goal as time expires. Steelers win 26-23 3-0
Week 4 vs Ravens: The last 2 meetings in the Burgh have been shootouts going down to the wire. This is no exception. Big Ben has a field day and AB delivers with another game winning TD. Steelers win 34-30.
Week 5 vs Falcons: I predict at this point Julio has returned to the Falcons and has a few games under his belt at this point. Steelers are flat coming off an emotional win and Matt Ryan and Julio eat the defense alive. Davonta Freeman also has over 100 yards and Calvin Ridley scores his first career TD, from over 50 yards out. Steelers lose 34-21. 4-1
Week 6 Bye: No game still 4-1.
Week 7 vs Browns: After a relatively drama-less first win, the Steelers let themselves in a dogfight the 2nd time around as the Browns hype dies down by now. Browns manage over 150 yards rushing and get over 30 minutes time of possession, but still can't overcome Big Ben, AB, and Bos as Bos delivers another last second field goal winning 23-20. 5-1
Week 8 @ Bengals: Tied at halftime, an Andy Dalton INT is followed by a personal foul against Vontaze Barfass and the Bengals never recover. Steelers win 27-17. 6-1
Week 9 @ Ravens: This is where the Steelers begin to skid. They won last year in B'more 26-9 but what are the odds they win 2 in a row there. Steelers blow a chance to take control of the division at it is Flacco's turn to lead a game winning drive to win. Steelers lose 27-24. 6-2
Week 10 vs Panthers: Panthers are not as good as last year and traveling on a short week benefits the Steelers. Steelers jump out to a lead they never relinquish. Steelers win 30-13. 7-2
Week 11 @ Jaguars: Jaguars are a disappointment this year with a defense regressing and Bortles going full Bortles. However, in a must win game for Jacksonville, we see a repeat of last year's regular season performance, Fournette tops 150 yards, defense suffocates Steelers O and Bortles doesn't have to do anything. Steelers lose 24-6. 7-3
Week 12 @ Broncos: Entering the game, the Broncos are 31st in total and scoring offense and have only scored more than 20 points 1 time. Their O-line leads the league in sacks surrendered and their 32nd rank rushing offense hasn't had a 100 yard rusher and has scored 2 rushing TDs all year. Against Pittsburgh, Denver gets their first 100 yard rusher, surpasses 150 yards, scores 2 rushing TDs in this game alone, and the O-line does not give up a sack all game. On defense Von Miller forces a key turnover and last place Denver wins. Steelers lose 24-21. 7-4
Week 13 vs Chargers: At this point the Chargers have one of the best records in the AFC, Pittsburgh though plays up to the Chargers record and Big Ben, Bell, and AB all have big days while the O-line gives up 1 sack to the team with the most sacks. A 150+ yard day by Keenan Allen is wasted. Steelers win 30-27. 8-4
Week 14 @ Raiders: Steelers suck at playing in Oakland in the 21st century and will come out flat on the road coming off a big home win again. Derek Carr dominates and the Steelers offense amazingly don't dominate against Oakland's putrid defense. Oh and the Raiders get Bryant a TD for good measure. Steelers lose 37-20. 8-5
Week 15 vs Patriots: Might as well play Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" on loop during this game. Brady rips apart the defense and makes Keith Butler look like an idiot, again. Steelers coaches choke on their own shit against New England, again. Steelers lose to the Cheats, again. Steelers lose 38-24. 8-6
Week 16 @ Saints: Winning in the Superdome is impossible when the Saints are good, and the Saints just happen to be fighting for homefield advantage. This game gets ugly as Brees and the Saints rushing duo dominate the defense. Saints win 34-14. 8-7
Week 17 vs Bengals: How weak is the AFC? The Steelers have lost 5 of their last 6 and 6 of their last 8 and they still control their own destiny and can make the playoffs with a win. However, the skid has surprisingly put them behind Baltimore and Baltimore can clinch the AFC North with a win over lowly Cleveland. The Bengals are hyped at the prospects of knocking out the Steelers and play hard, going up 14-7 late in the 3rd quarter. However, AB makes a ridiculous clutch play and the Steelers tie the game as a result. The Steelers then take the lead the next drive after 2 costly penalties by the Bengals. Bengals proceed to drive but Marvin Lewis elects to kick a field goal down by 7 in the red zone with 4 minutes left and the Steelers run out the clock. They clinch the playoff spot but settle for the 6th seed after Baltimore crushes Cleveland. Steelers win 21-17. 9-7
Wildcard @ (3) Texans: Texans have a couple key guys on IR (including JJ Watt) but DeShawn Watson manages to make himself available for the postseason and puts on a show. 2 pass TDs, 2 rush TDs and over 400 total yards. Steelers offense is unable to keep up thanks in part to Ben throwing a pair of costly INTs. Defense is once again humiliated in the postseason. Steelers lose 41-23
I know some will complain that this outlook is overly pessimistic and the defense will be better than I am making them out to be and the team overall will be better than I am making them out to be, but considering that they are playing a lot teams (particularly on the road) that have given them fits, they won a lot of close games against inferior teams (those don't usually break your way that much 2 years in a row), and the defense especially at LB remain a major question mark, I think a season that looks this unimpressive is very much within the realm of possibility
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Originally Posted by teegre
