It’s undeniable that the Pittsburgh Steelers have exceeded expectations in the current NFL season. Initial predictions placed them around a .500 record, with a likely finish at the bottom of the AFC North. However, after 10 weeks, the Steelers boast a 6-3 record, not only contending for a playoff spot but actively competing in the AFC North race. Fans who engaged in sports betting in Pennsylvania by supporting the Steelers at the beginning of the season are surely enjoying their foresight.
Despite their winning record, there’s a contrasting aspect to Pittsburgh’s performance – they’ve allowed more points than they’ve scored. Moreover, the AFC North is highly competitive, and the battle for Wild Card spots in the AFC is intense. Nevertheless, amidst the justified skepticism, there are grounds for optimism that the Steelers are legitimate contenders and have the potential to finish the season strong following their surprising start. Taking a positive perspective on Pittsburgh’s season, we identify four reasons why the Steelers are genuine contenders in 2023.
T.J. Watt is a Menace
Pittsburgh’s wins this season have come by an average of 5.5 points. They’ve yet to win by more than one score and are averaging just 17.3 points per game. In other words, the Steelers aren’t going to win by a wide margin and need to be able to close out games in the fourth quarter whenever they get a lead. Fortunately, they have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL helping them in the form of T.J. Watt.
Two years ago, Watt set a new NFL record with 22.5 sacks and he’s on pace to come close to reaching 20 sacks again this year, racking up 10.5 sacks over nine games. Whenever the Steelers are protecting a lead late in games, Watt tends to be at his best. He is a menacing force for opposing quarterbacks when Pittsburgh’s opponents need to throw the ball. Alex Highsmith and Markus Golden are capable pass rushers too. But having an elite pass rusher like Watt is going to help Pittsburgh hold leads and win close games down the stretch.
Getting Healthy on Offense
The Pittsburgh offense has certainly been a problem for the Steelers this season. But a lack of health has certainly played a role in that. Diontae Johnson missed a few games early in the season and has struggled to stay healthy. But if he can stay on the field, he changes the look of Pittsburgh’s offense. The backfield tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren has been productive while George Pickens has enjoyed a nice season. Obviously, the Steelers need more given Kenny Pickett’s limitations.
Pat Freiermuth is also set to return from injury in the near future after missing most of October and the first part of November. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 and could be a difference-maker when he returns. If the Steelers can get Johnson and Freiermuth on the field together along with Pickens, Harris, and Warren, the Pittsburgh offense will be a lot more formidable late in the season compared to what we’ve seen thus far.
The Secondary is Outstanding
To help complement the great pass rush mentioned earlier, the Steelers have a deep and talented secondary that is poised to play a key role in Pittsburgh’s success late in the season. Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as a shutdown cornerback in recent weeks. His presence makes the Steelers deep at that position alongside veterans Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace.
At safety, the Steelers also have one of the best tandems in the league with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal. Damontae Kazoo and Miles Killebrew have also added to Pittsburgh’s depth at that position. At times, Fitzpatrick and Neal have battled injuries. However, the Steelers have more than enough options in the secondary to avoid getting into high-scoring games, which is not going to be a winning formula.
Winnable Games in December
Finally, Pittsburgh’s schedule sets up well for the Steelers after their surprising 6-3 start. Home games to begin December against the Cardinals and Patriots are games that Pittsburgh should be winning. They also host the Bengals in the only game the Steelers will play in December against a division rival. While December road games against the Colts and Seahawks won’t be easy, it’s far from impossible to envision the Steelers having a chance to win if they continue to play good defense.
The regular season ends with a road game against the Ravens on January 7. On paper, that’s going to be a difficult game for the Steelers. But after beating Baltimore earlier this season, the Steelers are 6-1 in their last seven games against the Ravens. They’ve also won five of their last six trips to Baltimore. In other words, the Steelers will have a chance to win every game they play the rest of the season, giving them a great opportunity to win enough games to make the playoffs.
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