Realistic predictions for this season?

[stillthere]

Wilson is not now or ever the talent Ben was, so my expectation is the offense will look a lot like it did through 3 quarters with Ben, but without the Q4 Ben magic keeping them afloat.

I am not a huge fan of getting Wilson (for the price tag I will accept it). One thing about Russ is that he is usually better in the 4th quarter as he sees what the D is up to. Will that be the trend going forward I do not know.

[Mick]

Big shift in steelers win total odds over the last 48 hours. If you were betting ‘under 8.5’, hope you already placed your money.

Looking further, we are currently the favorite in 5 of our 17 games.

[.Kodiak]

Looking further, we are currently the favorite in 5 of our 17 games.

Well, that sounds like 12-5 to me!

[DP39]

I think Russ looked a little better last year, but I assumed Payton, the QB whisperer, had something to do with that. If Smith isn't given complete autonomy to run what he wants to run and direct Russ the way he wants (i.e. Tomlin not staying the hell out of the way), then Russ doesn't have a shot at looking very good, imo.

Put another way, I don't think Russ has much of a chance to succeed here without a great OC completely calling all of the shots. I have my doubts.

[bradshaw2ben]

Realistic predictions for this season?

Pain.

[K_C_]

I think Russ looked a little better last year, but I assumed Payton, the QB whisperer, had something to do with that. If Smith isn't given complete autonomy to run what he wants to run and direct Russ the way he wants (i.e. Tomlin not staying the hell out of the way), then Russ doesn't have a shot at looking very good, imo.

Put another way, I don't think Russ has much of a chance to succeed here without a great OC completely calling all of the shots. I have my doubts.

Russ can succeed if the Steelers become an upper level running team. We need both Najee and Warren to have big years because right now, we're counting on Broderick Jones, Dan Moore and a rookie to protect Russ from pass rushers.

We literally are going to have to play Tomlin-style caveman football, at least early, to have a chance at any success. Pahnd the rock and hit plays down the field off play action, if the running game is working.

If this team struggles to run the ball, they're gonna get Russell Wilson killed.

[TimmayLake]

OP here. I'm revising my prediction in light of the Steelers' dazzling preseason so far:

6-11

[K_C_]

Realistic predictions for this season?

Pain.

Cool Shades has been a magician before (when Trubisky came in and was awful vs Arizona, after Pickett was awful then proceeded to lose the next 2 vs New England and the Colts, I thought there was NO FUCKING WAY this team would be playoff bound before Rudolph saved the season) but this time, I have to agree with you.

I think this has to be the season the wheels completely fall off for Mike Tomlin.

I think those wanting a very high draft choice QB will finally get their wish.

I just feel bad for guys like TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, George Pickens, JPJ, even Najee. They deserve better.

[shellwagnerblount]

Realistic predictions for this season?

Pain.

LOL...yes indeed. I will always be a fan but I look at this roster, this coaching staff and the head Rooney in charge and they are basically going to be put on my sporting back burner. Not much to get excited about other than a few stars sprinkled in this group. They have to get that Oline straightened out FAST or this thing could go south right from the opening bell. I think they could be a sub 7 win team and maybe worse if injuries occur. And they always do, of course. I think they are 3 years away from being a good team/possible contender if things fall right. But one of those things is a change at the top in the current Rooney/Tomlin bureacracy..IN other words, more of the same NHALS BS..

[anpsteel]

Realistic predictions for this season?

Pain.

Despite the personal impact, I'd rather have pain than continued mediocrity

As I'm sure just about everyone, minus the Tomlin ball washers, would

[Dan Smith--BYU]

All of you thinking that a shit record will lead to the end of Tomlin don't understand the Deuce.

Every year he wins the Virtue Signal Lombardi equivalent in his own mind.

Which is what he cares about.

and if they go 4-13 they should draft LT not QB. OR trade down for depth.

You think Shadeur Sanders who may be Fields II is going to turn this around?

[anpsteel]

I’m clear we have at least 2 more seasons with him

[bradshaw2ben]

All of you thinking that a shit record will lead to the end of Tomlin don't understand the Deuce.

Every year he wins the Virtue Signal Lombardi equivalent in his own mind.

Which is what he cares about.

and if they go 4-13 they should draft LT not QB. OR trade down for depth.

You think Shadeur Sanders who may be Fields II is going to turn this around?

Well, I wouldn't draft Shadeur Sanders in round 1. The problem is I think Tomlin would love that guy and Khan/Weidl will probably have a better take. So who wins the argument?

[tbsteel]

Realistic predictions for this season?

Pain.

I think it's going to be baaaad. And it's going to be worse when the young dudes struggle.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

My prediction: I’m not going to be as personally invested

[stairway 2 seven]

Tomlin just signed his fat new contract, so of course this will be year that his nhals will run out.
6-11 sounds about right.

[Who Dee Knee]

I really have no idea what the record will be. It could be 13-4 (however unlikely), or 4-13. More uncertain than in a long time. Not having a franchise quarterback will do that to you.

I guess I’ll go 8-9; NHALS ends.

[TTP]

I am not putting much stock into the preseason games. I overreacted to last year's preseason success and will not fall for that again

The defense is going to be good (possibly very good if the CB room holds up) and will keep the Steelers in most games. Likewise, the offense will not turn it over a ton. Steelers have an excellent kicker. Classic Tomlin ball. Lots of close, low scoring games. 16-13 baby!

So, do the Steelers continue to defy the laws of football and win close games at an outlier rate? Or, does the luck finally run out? That's going to be the difference between 7 and 10 wins.

I'll say the luck runs out and the Steelers go 7-10.

[gojira5150]

All of you thinking that a shit record will lead to the end of Tomlin don't understand the Deuce.

Every year he wins the Virtue Signal Lombardi equivalent in his own mind.

Which is what he cares about.

and if they go 4-13 they should draft LT not QB. OR trade down for depth.

You think Shadeur Sanders who may be Fields II is going to turn this around?

Actually he's not JFII. He doesn't run like Fields at all. He's also a better pocket passer. Not all Black QB's can run like the wind

Also, as long as they Win in Vegas I don't care. My wife bought tickets yesterday for my Anniversary present. We are going to the game. Good thing is her parents and sister live there (we live in SO Cal and it's a 3hr drive), so we don't have to pay for hotel and her sister will drop us off & pick us up

[K_C_]

I am not putting much stock into the preseason games. I overreacted to last year's preseason success and will not fall for that again

The defense is going to be good (possibly very good if the CB room holds up) and will keep the Steelers in most games. Likewise, the offense will not turn it over a ton. Steelers have an excellent kicker. Classic Tomlin ball. Lots of close, low scoring games. 16-13 baby!

So, do the Steelers continue to defy the laws of football and win close games at an outlier rate? Or, does the luck finally run out? That's going to be the difference between 7 and 10 wins.

I'll say the luck runs out and the Steelers go 7-10.

I would hold your horses on the "this offense will not turn it over a ton" comment.

This o-line would struggle to protect an elusive QB like Lamar Jackson. They are going to struggle like mad to protect the now pretty immobile Russell Wilson and if the coaching staff turns to Justin Fields, let me remind you that in 3 seasons with the Bears, Fields threw 30 interceptions (vs only 40 TD passes) and fumbled 38 times.

Let's see what happens but CLEARLY, this o-line is gonna struggle, at least for a while. If they struggle, we're gonna turn it over.

A lot.

[RemoAZ]

All of you thinking that a shit record will lead to the end of Tomlin don't understand the Deuce.

Every year he wins the Virtue Signal Lombardi equivalent in his own mind.

Which is what he cares about.

and if they go 4-13 they should draft LT not QB. OR trade down for depth.

You think Shadeur Sanders who may be Fields II is going to turn this around?

Well, I wouldn't draft Shadeur Sanders in round 1. The problem is I think Tomlin would love that guy and Khan/Weidl will probably have a better take. So who wins the argument?

I think the first thing that has to happen is Art II stepping down. The kind of change this organization needs has to happen at the top. Question is, can the record be bad enough to force or convince him to step aside? At that point hopefully the Rooney taking over has the balls to mandate change. Whoever Tomlin picks to fix this offense will be garbage. We have almost a decade of downward spiral to prove that. The more control/influence he has, the worse the offense gets. I could see him mortgaging the future to trade up for Sanders. Athlete and a son of a hall of famer. He checks all the boxes of Tomlin's ideal QB.

[gojira5150]

I am not putting much stock into the preseason games. I overreacted to last year's preseason success and will not fall for that again

The defense is going to be good (possibly very good if the CB room holds up) and will keep the Steelers in most games. Likewise, the offense will not turn it over a ton. Steelers have an excellent kicker. Classic Tomlin ball. Lots of close, low scoring games. 16-13 baby!

So, do the Steelers continue to defy the laws of football and win close games at an outlier rate? Or, does the luck finally run out? That's going to be the difference between 7 and 10 wins.

I'll say the luck runs out and the Steelers go 7-10.

This o-line would struggle to protect an elusive QB like Lamar Jackson. They are going to struggle like mad to protect the now pretty immobile Russell Wilson and if the coaching staff turns to Justin Fields, let me remind you that in 3 seasons with the Bears, Fields threw 30 interceptions (vs only 40 TD passes) and fumbled 38 times.

Let's see what happens but CLEARLY, this o-line is gonna struggle, at least for a while. If they struggle, we're gonna turn it over.

A lot.

This is what upsets me. Everyone was giddy Draft night as our 1st two picks went to o-line (I get it, it's Cool Breeze and playing o-linemen out of position is par for the course & BJ looks like complete CRAP right now!!). Knowing how this would go, should have just picked the best CB in RD1 as we had our pick of the 3 best. Then went o-line in RD2. At least the 2 drafted would not be playing out of position as our 1st RD pick last year. Also, would have solidified our secondary for the next 3-5 years with 2 youngsters with crazy talent.

[anpsteel]

Count me as firmly in the, Fuck No, category, regarding Shaduer Sanders.

I want no part of the Deion Sanders bullshit parade.

[StillerDownSouth]

With the schedule especially at the tail end a murderers row of division games?

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. W. L - Cousins is better QB
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W L - Traveling to Denver, rarely play well there (Russ starting to feel the heat)
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L L - Herbert and Harbaugh are too much, Russ is finally benched for Fields
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W L - Anthony Richardson goes bananas
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W L - Things are getting real ugly now after losing big at home
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L W - Finally get a W, Aiden O'Connell easiest QB we face all year
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W L - Once again, QB is a huge advantage
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W W - Daniel Jones tosses 2 pick 6's
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’…. 2-6 heading into the bye, brutal schedule remaing
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W W - Close game, Boz nails one at the buzzer
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L L - Tomlin's dominance over Baltimore comes to an end
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L L - At this point does it really matter
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L - L - Blowout
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W - W - Rally the troops, beat the Stains at home
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L - L - Thats a wrap - 4-13 final record, we now own the 3rd pick in the 2025 draft.

8-9

[bradshaw2ben]

I am not putting much stock into the preseason games. I overreacted to last year's preseason success and will not fall for that again

The defense is going to be good (possibly very good if the CB room holds up) and will keep the Steelers in most games. Likewise, the offense will not turn it over a ton. Steelers have an excellent kicker. Classic Tomlin ball. Lots of close, low scoring games. 16-13 baby!

So, do the Steelers continue to defy the laws of football and win close games at an outlier rate? Or, does the luck finally run out? That's going to be the difference between 7 and 10 wins.

I'll say the luck runs out and the Steelers go 7-10.

I'm having my doubts about the defense & run offense––the two foundational pillars of what they want to do. Yes, they have a lot of really good players, but on defense and in the run game you're only as good as your worst players.

Think of it like this: you can have 99% of you run play executed perfectly, but one failed assignment could be the difference between a loss of yards or a 15 yard gain. On defense, one weakness... like coverage in the middle of the field... and ann that hard work you did to get them in 2nd or 3rd and long is useless.

Until they prove otherwise, this team has blocking and running back issues vs good defenses and this defense has issues getting run on up the middle and especially with middle of the field coverage.

[bradshaw2ben]

Count me as firmly in the, Fuck No, category, regarding Shaduer Sanders.

I want no part of the Deion Sanders bullshit parade.

He's not a bad QB prospect, even considering the baggage. Tomlin will 100% love him though, because bloodlines/legacy and the kind of swag/arrogance that Tomlin has complimented in others over and over again. Sanders might be the most swaggy QB of all time at this stage of his career. And that *could* bode well for him. But I don't think he's a transcendent talent.

So, where does maximum swagger but less than trancendent talent get you? IDK, Baker Mayfield?

[bradshaw2ben]

With the schedule especially at the tail end a murderers row of division games?

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. W. L - Cousins is better QB
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W L - Traveling to Denver, rarely play well there (Russ starting to feel the heat)
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L L - Herbert and Harbaugh are too much, Russ is finally benched for Fields
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W L - Anthony Richardson goes bananas
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W L - Things are getting real ugly now after losing big at home
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L W - Finally get a W, Aiden O'Connell easiest QB we face all year
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W L - Once again, QB is a huge advantage
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W W - Daniel Jones tosses 2 pick 6's
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’…. 2-6 heading into the bye, brutal schedule remaing
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W W - Close game, Boz nails one at the buzzer
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L L - Tomlin's dominance over Baltimore comes to an end
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L L - At this point does it really matter
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L - L - Blowout
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W - W - Rally the troops, beat the Stains at home
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L - L - No chance
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L - L - Thats a wrap - 4-13 final record, we now own the 3rd pick in the 2025 draft.

8-9

Yeah, if any of you Asshats can find more than 3 or 4 wins in the last 8, you are officially homers.

[K_C_]

I am not putting much stock into the preseason games. I overreacted to last year's preseason success and will not fall for that again

The defense is going to be good (possibly very good if the CB room holds up) and will keep the Steelers in most games. Likewise, the offense will not turn it over a ton. Steelers have an excellent kicker. Classic Tomlin ball. Lots of close, low scoring games. 16-13 baby!

So, do the Steelers continue to defy the laws of football and win close games at an outlier rate? Or, does the luck finally run out? That's going to be the difference between 7 and 10 wins.

I'll say the luck runs out and the Steelers go 7-10.

I'm having my doubts about the defense & run offense––the two foundational pillars of what they want to do. Yes, they have a lot of really good players, but on defense and in the run game you're only as good as your worst players.

Think of it like this: you can have 99% of you run play executed perfectly, but one failed assignment could be the difference between a loss of yards or a 15 yard gain. On defense, one weakness... like coverage in the middle of the field... and ann that hard work you did to get them in 2nd or 3rd and long is useless.

Until they prove otherwise, this team has blocking and running back issues vs good defenses and this defense has issues getting run on up the middle and especially with middle of the field coverage.

Weirdly enough, the Steelers won 5 games last season with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph against playoff teams.

By comparison, Tua and the Dolphins won 1 game against a playoff team.

The defense was the catalyst in pretty much every one of those wins, including the game that I consider Pickett's best as a Steeler when they beat the Rams in LA.

Watt's INT completely changed that game and sparked the offense to finally play well after that.

Perhaps the defense can do that again with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields but......we'll see.

[Works At A Bank]

5-12 is my guess

Wilson and Fields will crumble behind this Oline. Najee will more than likely continue to run blind as a bat into the asses of said Oline. Pickens will prob be a pouty disgruntled WR by week 3. Frydaddy will be injured for a majority of the season. JPJ will fall into a sophomore slump and give up a ton of penalty yards. Cam is playing on his last leg and will more than likely end up on IR at some point. I think Bennet will flash along with Herbig but the woes of this incredibly shitty offense and philosophy will keep the D on the field way way too long. It’s only a matter of time before Watt is injured and without him statistically speaking…the Steelers don’t have a chance at all. I think they look slightly less than pedestrian the first month of the season and eel out a some wins but then the wheels fall off the cart into a free fall of multiple losing streaks while we all watch Tomlin standing on the sidelines wearing his ray bans looking confused. It’s gonna be a shit show and I for one won’t lose a wink of sleep over it. I’ll be too busy laughing at just how inept this entire coaching staff will be. The brightest part of the season for me will be not having to watch Percy Harvins fat ass shank punts.

[anpsteel]

Count me as firmly in the, Fuck No, category, regarding Shaduer Sanders.

I want no part of the Deion Sanders bullshit parade.

He's not a bad QB prospect, even considering the baggage. Tomlin will 100% love him though, because bloodlines/legacy and the kind of swag/arrogance that Tomlin has complimented in others over and over again. Sanders might be the most swaggy QB of all time at this stage of his career. And that *could* bode well for him. But I don't think he's a transcendent talent.

So, where does maximum swagger but less than trancendent talent get you? IDK, Baker Mayfield?

Drafting Sanders just feels like the polar opposite of the steeler way

If there is still such a thing

I’m hoping Tomlin learned that lesson with JuJu and Claypool

No more, me first egos/players