Weekly Bold Prediction: Steelers top 40 points (as a team)
After several weeks of being mostly spot on with my predictions this week was a little more difficult to come up with how a game between an undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers and an inferior Dallas Cowboys team might end up.
I wasn’t sure whether to go with individual performances or side with the offense or the defense. However, I do believe Sunday’s game will have a total team effort with a pleasing result.
The Cowboys enter Sunday’s game a mystery. Who will start at quarterback with Andy Dalton down and last week’s starter, rookie Ben DiNucci, benched?
I’m not sure it matters. While the Steelers defense had their hands full with Baltimore’s blitzkrieg of a rushing attack, they’ve manhandled all other top rushers this season. Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t been the same player for most of 2020 and especially with Dak Prescott gone.
The corps of capable Cowboys receivers have all suffered from bad quarterback play too, while Dallas’ defense is incredibly soft, giving up the most points in the entire league.
That’s where my predictions rest in thinking the Steelers score 40+ points this week: but it will be a total team effort.
Pittsburgh’s offense has routinely scored at least 26 points per game, with several 30+ showings and a 28-point surge against the Ravens (scoring on every trip to the red zone).
However, the offense did struggle – and a 7-0 team with Super Bowl aspirations is looking at a porous Cowboys defense to make a statement.
Yet, I don’t expect perfection.
We’re going to see a mix of players if the game gets out of hand. Benny Snell didn’t play last week, for example. If the game goes as planned, rest will be key to keep the momentum of an undefeated season, where a bye week has already been stolen from the Steelers.
But make no mistake, players like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool have a chip on their shoulders too. I can see just about every offensive player getting a touch in this game, even with the Steelers likely gaining a lead and sitting on it.
Also, that Steelers defense is looking to feast… I’m suspecting some Minkah Fitzpatrick magic and either Bud Dupree or T.J. Watt getting some strip-sack action too. Even Chris Boswell is going to operate more with what should be short fields.
In all, I see the Steelers offense gaining at least 30 points while the defense contributes a potential score and we also see a few field goals due to the field position as well.
This week’s bold prediction is that the entire team goes over 40 points for the first time this season on a hapless Dallas defense. Sorry “America’s Team” – this was supposed to be the “game of the week”, but it’s really hard to see how it doesn’t favor an unbeaten Steelers squad this Sunday!
