Bold MNF predictions as the Steelers travel to Tampa Bay
Can I predict a win this week?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Last week I thought the Steelers would win by 10, but that never happened. Both teams, however, combined to score over 50 points, so I wasn’t entirely wrong in my predictions. But if we want one prediction to be correct, it has to be a victory.
Since I haven’t hit on that yet, I’m just going to be mum on the subject and say the Steelers look better this week. Yes, some of you think they are still a bad road team who will play down to their competition, but this week’s competition is the NFL’s best quarterback through two weeks, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and a 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.
You didn’t read that incorrectly: “Fitz Magic” has better numbers than anyone. We already saw what Patrick Mahomes did a week earlier, but I do believe the Steelers are in a win at all cost mood. I figured the Steelers would put up 500 yards of offense on the Chiefs (a near miss on my prediction, as they had 475 total yards) and I could see a similar explosion/shootout on Monday as well.
Heck, I even had success in stating two receivers would go over 100 yards each (JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jesse James). The D only had one sack, so they have to step that up too, but it won’t be uber critical if the rest of my guesses hit the mark.
Ben throws for 400
I want to say that Ben Roethlisberger will throw for at least 300 yards, but that’s not bold! 400 may not get there if the Steelers play keep-away, but if they get behind in this one with another slow start you can bet that Big Ben will seek redemption for being off the mark at times over the last two weeks. He will do everything in his power to get a checkmark in the victory column.
Conner > 100 all purpose yards
This is imperative: get James Conner involved.
The way the Steelers have lost over the last few years in Week 3 contests against the Eagles and Bears (also both on the road) they never got Le’Veon Bell involved in the offense and since he had few touches (or was rusty) the entire offense suffered.
Conner doesn’t have to rush for 100 yards, but it would help if he gets about 60-70 and adds the remainder with 4-5 receptions.
Put me down for a touchdown too.
Fitzpatrick throw 2 picks
I know “Fitz Magic” has been nothing short of phenomenal lately, throwing for 819 yards, 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception against the Saints and Eagles, who both had solid defenses last season.
I’m not sure what to make of that, but I do know that Fitzpatrick’s 78.7 completion percentage is absurdly abnormal even for the best passers in the league. His career average is a flat 60.0, skewed 0.3% because of those his two big games this season.
To coin Chris Collinsworth, here’s a guy who completed 58.9% of his passes last season with 7 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, starting three games in relief of Jameis Winston. Prior to that, he threw the ball to the opposition 32 times in 30 games with the New York Jets.
And before that? 93 interceptions in 91 appearances.
Does Fitzpatrick turn into a pumpkin again Monday night? Not entirely, but I do believe a hungry Steelers defense with a healthy Joe Haden back in the lineup should more than make up for their shortcomings against the Chiefs. Look for the Steelers D to force two turnovers in this one.
Boswell makes multiple FG tries and all PATs
Chris Boswell will get back on track Monday. There’s no reason to believe he won’t make at least two field goal tries and all of his extra point attempts.
The preseason hangover is over and this team is poised to turn the ship around. An extra day of practice should help them get out of their funk, and with long snappers and punters receiving tryouts Monday, and several teams cutting their current kicker, Boz will be the next one on the hotseat if he has another down performance.
Therefore, look for him to bounce back so there are no kickers brought in on Tuesday…
