Realistic predictions for this season?

[TimmayLake]

There's a lot of hype about all the free agent activity plus the draft class, so what are realistic expectations for this season?
Keep in mind the AFCN is still an extremely tough division and we are likely the 3rd or 4th best team in the division until proven otherwise.

A new QB, new OC, a lot of new pieces on the OL...I have to think we finish around 9-8. Maybe 10-7 or 8-9.

[Deebo]

If Watt is healthy again, I have us down again for a 9 to 10 win season with another first round L

[K_C_]

10-7.

Possibly 11-6.

We're a lot better at QB and on the o-line.

Arthur Smith will pound the run and Wilson will have a lot of clean pockets in play action. Friermuth, Pickens and Roman Wilson are all going to have real nice years. Najee (in a contract year) and Warren could be dominant.

I wish we were better on the defensive line, but they'll hold up. No more old guys like Pat Pete being useless.

Wish they could come to an agreement with Cam Sutton but I have zero doubt this is a playoff team.

[Steeldrama]

Way too many negative posts around here despite what I thought was a really fun offseason so I will lean toward the positive and predict 10-7…WITH…a PLAYOFF win.

BRUTAL schedule though

Injuries can wreck any team’s season, but damn on paper that’s a rough one.

3 games in 10 days???

Old man Rooney should’ve been on the horn with Park Avenue all WTF Rog???

BUT can’t interfere with that afternoon nap.

The arrogant, smarmy, condescending, Artie Smith sucked out loud as head coach of my transplant hometown Falcons, BUT I think his ground and pound/attrition offense is perfect for Tomlin and Russ Wilson.

The equally arrogant and smarmy Collin Cowherd was not correct in his 12 win proclamation for YOUR Steelers.
There’s an agenda, but I’m too lazy to figure out his angle there.

Top 5 roster?

I

Don’t

Think

So.

BUT

Two solid drafts in a row by Weidl-Khan have Steelers on the upswing.

Porter and Benton need to continue their ascent into stardom.

The young OL talented has me beyond pumped for this season and beyond.

If Broderick Jones shines at LT?
Watch out, brother!

Love the dirt CHEAP dart throws at Wilson and Fields.

I honestly would not have watched another season of Kenny.
SOOOO glad that pussy is off the roster.
Painfully STUPID draft pick.

Gotta use Fields as a slash like weapon because other than Pickens I just don’t see big play capability.

Corrdarrelle Patterson the only player from the Falcons South contingent worth a damn, but his impact will be mainly on returns.

I’m trying to be positive on the Patrick Queen signing because I think he’s a better Robin than Batman.

TJ Watt AND Minkah MUST make it through the season healthy.

If Not?

NHALS will FINALLY die with that BRUTAL schedule.

Go Russ!

Go Najee!!

Go Uncle Artie!!!

GO WIN A DAMN PLAYOFF GAME!!!!

[SteelerDayTrader]

A lot depends on who we draw and who’s injured etc but I’m expecting a playoff win

IF

The DL gets addressed at some point sooner rather than later

AND

If a solid RB is added along with Harris and Warren

[Dan Smith--BYU]

10-7, they are better but the schedule can't possibly be as easy as last year with the injuries on the other teams.

Baltimore will be a monster this year.

[Steel City Fan]

Can this OC overcome the coaching deficiencies of Mediocre Mike? I don’t think so. I’m thinking 9-8 just barely missing the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion but keeping NHALS in tact. Something Mediocre Mike will be proud of it.

[cop1211]

8-9

[Ice]

Start slow and run off wins at the end of the season strategy isn't really going to be a great plan this year, at least looking at things in May (which is objectively silly, but what else are we gonna do in May?). Should be interesting.

Three games in 10 days. Well, at least we've got another piece of proof that "worrying about player safety" is a marketing slogan.

[Steelafan77]

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
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

8-9

[BouldernBun]

Man that is a tuff schedule. However NHALS lives!!!!!

8-8-1

[LakecrestSteeler]

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
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

8-9

I think this is accurate. We now have such a statistical trove to show that nothing improves with this coach. Every unit is just in maintenance mode at this point on offense and defense, minus Edge.

The offense will be just as abysmal and the emperor will have no clothes. Still think Wilson will go down with a season ender.

Defense will have flashes of brilliance, but the DL will be the Achilles and the same ills of a soft under belly will again be exposed when the game is on the line.

What evidence do we have to show improvement will occur good draft or not? They will forget to change the oil and blow an engine if things are going that well.

[Steelafan77]

Sadly, I could see 7-10, 6-11 and yes even 5-12 as certainly possible….🫣

[Stlcrtn1974]

Sadly, I could see 7-10, 6-11 and yes even 5-12 as certainly possible….🫣

Hopefully they don't extend Tomlin, then they finish
5-12 and a new era begins in 25.

[bradshaw2ben]

Sadly, I could see 7-10, 6-11 and yes even 5-12 as certainly possible….🫣

Last two times they changed the control of the team and HCs: after two bad seasons. A 5-12 could bring Danny Rooney and a new HC

[RemoAZ]

Sadly, I could see 7-10, 6-11 and yes even 5-12 as certainly possible….🫣

Last two times they changed the control of the team and HCs: after two bad seasons. A 5-12 could bring Danny Rooney and a new HC

And hope that SB contender is back as the Standard.

[Charles Demarr]

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
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

8-9

1-5 in the division? Nope, not happening. 3-3 at worst.

[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
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

8-9

1-5 in the division? Nope, not happening. 3-3 at worst.

I’ll take that bet. I think 2-4 in the division would be the ceiling… just based on reversion to the mean. So unlikely they’ll get backup QBs and 1.5 games without Chubb etc. put that together with a team that has a ton of unanswered questions and an offensive plan that is swimming upstream to put it nicely… they may eke out NHALS but their division is brutal before everybody is injured.

[Deebo]

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
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. W
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. L
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. L
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

8-9

Not directed at you per se, but I get annoyed by these "Strength of Schedule" predictions. I get it and understand as there isn't much else to talk about in May
But some teams we thought would be good underperform and vice versa.

If anyone wants to do a fun data dive (@Pabst ??), be interested to see over the years what the Steelers ANTICIPATED strength of schedule is before the year vs ACTUAL once the season is completed before we all do doomsday scenarios

[langer]

Start slow, have the new guys to blame, as usual, and get some shit together week 4.

Cousins has something to prove, he might slice and dice.

I dont trust Russ Wilson at all.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. L
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. L
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. W
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. W
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. W
Week 8: Monday, Oct. 28, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 9: Bye Week Preparing to ‘unleash hell’….
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. L
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. W
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. L
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. W
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 21, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. L
Week 17: Wednesday, Dec. 25, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. L
Week 18: Date/Time TBD, vs. Cincinnati Bengals L

[gojira5150]

Sadly, I could see 7-10, 6-11 and yes even 5-12 as certainly possible….🫣

Hopefully they don't extend Tomlin, then they finish
5-12 and a new era begins in 25.

At least we will be in a position to draft our next FQB with a new HC (hopefully an offensive minded HC)

[Pabst]

If anyone wants to do a fun data dive (@Pabst ??), be interested to see over the years what the Steelers ANTICIPATED strength of schedule is before the year vs ACTUAL once the season is completed before we all do doomsday scenarios

Here ya go.

There's a noticeable inverse correlation going on here.

[Deebo]

If anyone wants to do a fun data dive (@Pabst ??), be interested to see over the years what the Steelers ANTICIPATED strength of schedule is before the year vs ACTUAL once the season is completed before we all do doomsday scenarios

Here ya go.

There's a noticeable inverse correlation going on here.

Thanks. Do you have a "SUM" of the Difference column?

[Pabst]

Thanks. Do you have a "SUM" of the Difference column?

I stepped out to run some errands over lunch. That column should sum to zero (I think)

[Gonzo]

hmmmmmm
hope springs eternal
but ....
some things will never change
"They stand there looking backwards
Half unconscious from the pain"

9-8 with the playoffs missed.

You will see an even more extreme version of Marty Tomlin ball -- average 5 possessions per team per game

[Pabst]

Thanks. Do you have a "SUM" of the Difference column?

I stepped out to run some errands over lunch. That column should sum to zero (I think)

Just checked, and yeah - First one sums to 0 but the 2nd is a bit off - Most likely because i typo'd something.

Overall, though, I think if a team has an overly easy or difficult schedule you can expect a regression to the mean.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

If they are not 7-2 they will struggle to even make the playoffs.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

I’ve been a fan for 70 years.
Why give it a number?
If the organization isn’t going to put in the tme and effort, why should I have a concern anymore?

[anpsteel]

Baring Russ having some sort of re-birth, and learning how to get the ball out quickly AND throw to the middle of the field

I see a 7-10 season coming

Losses to the

Falcons
Chargers
Cowboys
Raiders

Lose both games against the bengals
Split with the browns and the ravens

Lose to the eagles and the chiefs

[Steel Ubaldo]

The team is the definition of mediocre. It’s not bad enough to bottom out. Not good enough to be a serious contender. I see 9-8 or 10-7 and no playoff win. It has become the real standard after all. I have become infected with a hearty dose of apathy towards the franchise. I even got rid of my season tickets…oh well