Bold Predictions: Week 1 – Steelers vs. Browns
It’s the first week of the season, so I can’t really go out on a limb and say “this will happen”. Therefore, I’m going to make start off my weekly bold predictions column with some guesses for the entire season… because that makes sense right? I just said I couldn’t guess for the first week, but I can guess for all sixteen games and then some?
Well, I felt like being bolder than usual and seeing as a new year of football is upon us, I figured, why not go for broke?
So here is your boldest of the bold predictions for the Steelers 2017 season!
Double-digit sacks for Bud Dupree
Everyone else is predicting a breakout year for Bud Dupree, so hey, I will too.
In all seriousness, he had his breakout last year. It’s just unfortunate that he only played in a handful of games.
Bud breaks the double-digit sack total easily in 2017. Write it down.
2,000 all-purpose yards for Bell
2,000 all-purpose yards means an average of 125 yards per game.
Bell only failed to post 125 or more yards from scrimmage three times last season, and all on the road: against the Dolphins and Ravens, and his early exit from the AFC Championship game at New England.
He averaged 170.5 all-purpose yards in the other 12 games, which would put him on pace for 2,728 yards in a full season.
I don’t see him doing that much, and if some games get out of hand, maybe the Steelers take a peek at their future by resting Bell and handing off to James Conner. That’s why 2,000 is the mark here.
5,000 yard passing season for Ben Roethlisberger
What am I basing this outlandish number on?
First, Ben’s health. He’s been sacked far less than in previous season.
Second: those receivers. Those tight ends. Le’Veon Bell.
He’s going to tossing the pigskin around more than cousin Jimmy at your backyard barbecue!
8 Pro Bowlers
Say it with me now: Ben, Bell, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Maurkice Pouncey, Ryan Shazier, Cameron Heyward, and… Joe Haden.
Oh and they won’t actually play in the Pro Bowl either. (I’ll let you guess why!)
Minimum 12-win season
This is a must. It’s not even a prediction: it’s a mandate.
Do the Steelers really want to risk not being the top seed in the AFC? They might have to win more than 12 games to do so, and realistically, having that view will land them at least a dozen victories throughout the season.
Steelers beat New England at home… twice!
Yep. I said it.
The Steelers get the Patriots at home late in the season. That game is perhaps the most pivotal one on the schedule. Win that game, and the Steelers should gain home field advantage throughout the postseason.
That would mean New England travels to Heinz Field in the playoffs, where the Steelers beat them once again on their road to Super Bowl LII.
