Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Season:Game By Game as Playoffs Are the Goal

This is the fifth article I have written breaking down the various teams in the NFL and what to expect in 2010.

The fans have responded from each team, with praise or disgust depending on how realistic certain fan bases are regarding the season approaching.

The first team analysis was the Oakland Raiders in which I predicted an 8-8 season with much improvement from last season.

Almost all Raiders fans were complimentary and agreeing with the progression of the 2010 season for the Raiders.

Next was the Dallas Cowboys who should go 11-5 or maybe 12-4 winning that division. This opinion seemed right on in the eyes of the Dallas faithful who hope for more in the playoffs.

The New England Patriot prognosis of 10-6 falling short of a wild card spot by one game, missing the playoffs netted a vicious response from Patriot fans.

 I have been made a hater, totally unintelligible about the NFL and football in general, and have been laughed at for suggesting Mark Sanchez is any kind of threat to disrupt the New England plan to once again win the AFC East.

The fourth analysis was the San Francisco Forty-Niners who will win the NFC West with a record of 10-6 or perhaps 11-5. 9-7 just might work also in this weaker than life NFC West division.

This brings us to the saga of Big Ben Roethlisberger, suspended for the first four games of the season, and hopefully reflecting on his immature antics that endangered his career, the Steelers and Rooney's respected name, not to mention the season.

Game One of the 2010 NFL regular season brings the Atlanta Falcons to Pittsburgh, hungry to start the season right.

The defense will have to be right on, as they have Matt Ryan more experienced, good wide receivers, and of course a premier fantasy running back in Michael Turner.

The Atlanta defense gives up some big plays on occasion, and this should be taken advantage of.

 Rashard Mendenhall is ranked pretty high in fantasy drafts, so fans and the Steelers both will depend on Mendenhall to carry the main load in the backfield.

The defense should keep the home fans happy as the Steelers start the 2010 season with a win.

In Week Two the Steelers travel to Tennessee, where the Titans try to seek revenge for last season, where the Steelers started the Titans 6 game skid into oblivion last season.

The defense has to contain the pesky Vince Young in this one, plus deal with Chris Johnson and his explosive running.

Jeff Fisher will have this team ultra prepared this season, and the Steelers could have an early hiccup here. Lets keep it real and say 1-1 now, as Ben loses a close one.

The Steelers should have no trouble beating Tampa Bay the next week however, as they right the ship quickly at 2-1.

The Ravens come to town with a big test in Week Four of the season, and this will be a war. The Ravens added Antown Boldin which will help Flacco with another quality target.

Hopefully, the Steelers will keep this a game, but without Roethlisberger I am afraid this game goes to Baltimore, who many feel might reach the Super Bowl,if they can get past Indianapolis finally. 2-2 for the Black and Yellow now.

Week Five will be a bye week to lick wounds and get Big Ben game ready for Week Six.

At this early stage in the season, 2-2 is all the Steelers can possibly hope for, entering the bye week. Anything less than that will be detrimental in the Steelers making the playoffs.

Week Six is at home against Cleveland. Last seasons losses to Oakland, Kansas City, and Cleveland killed the season, and this should weigh on the coaching staffs' minds as they can't lose games expected to win this year.

They of course, win this game and now are 3-2.

They now travel to Miami in Week Seven to meet Brandaon Marshall catching a dozen balls a game or so, and try to contain the crazy wildcat antics of Ricky,Ronnie, and Chad.

The Steelers have success in the sunshine of South Florida usually, but this Dolphin team in fighting it out with the Pats and the Jets for that very hard AFC Division Crown

We once again must remain unbiased in these picks, as I am a Steeler fan and root for them and the Niners every game they play, but it does not infuence who I think will win.

With that said, The Dolphins pull off an upset abd knock the Steelers down to 3-3.

This is a key game in the season, and the Steelers could very well win this, but they also might start the season 1-3 rather than 2-2 without Ben, so this evens that out.

Week Eight in now more important as they face the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in the the oil ravaged Gulf Coast area.

This is going to be a loss, bearing a small miracle as New Orleans does not have that bumpy a road, making it back to the Super Bowl again.

Maybe the Cowboys will have something to say about that, but for now New Orleans is still king. See how important that Dolphin game is now? 3-4 unless the Steelers are deeper than I think this season.

Week Nine finds the Pittsburgh Steelers fighting off feeling of inadequacy, as they travel to the big top circus of Ocho Cinco and T.O.

The Bengals were no joke last season, and have improved. The Steelers can only hope for a split with these two games this season, as they lose in Cincinnati, but win the rematch in Pittsburgh.

That would make their record for 2010 a lacking 4-5 with seven weeks left. Time to step it up a bit or get left behind the playoff train.

 In Week 10 the Steelers host the New England Patriots and almost have their backs against the wall early. Thankfully they rally to find a way to win this game, and send New England back home to lobster land.

5-5 now as Week 11 brings the Raiders to town, and a win would be in order here, just to quiet down the fanatic Raider nation who loves to harp on the fact that Roethlisberger has never beaten the Raiders.

The Steelers win this one handily and feel better at 6-5 but still very nervous about this season, now getting shorter and shorter.

Week 12 is another one of those games you expect to win against Buffalo, who won't beat too many teams this season. Pray this is not one of them. the Steelers should be at a legitmate 7-5 now.

I think this mark is right on, as I have given the Steelers the benefit of the doubt on the games they are expected to win so far in 2010.

Obviuosly the next four games are crucial in the 2010 plans to reach the Super Bowl once more.

Week 13 is the rematch against Baltimore with the addition of Ben Roethlisberger back in the line-up. Motivation and a perfect game will be needed for the offense to pull this one off.

Perfection does not come easily however, as the Ravens sweep the Steelers this season. I know I seem cruel, but Baltimore is very very good this season.

I am not trying to bum the Steeler faithful out, but let's see how we finish the season now at 7-6.

Week 14 is the rematch against the Bengals which I have already given the Steelers a win in this one. See, I'm fair.

Now this game is really important as Week 15 brings thr high flying Jets to town, who I have picked to upset New England for that division.

I think the ferocity of the defense, knowing what's up for the season keeps the Steelers in this game late.

 The Jets will have to beat someone else as the Steelers somehow stay alive for their playoff quest. 8-6 with two games left.

The Steelers should beat Carolina in week 17 to make it to 9-6 with one game left.

Looking back now. the Steelers must beat the Dolphins in Week Seven to have that extra win needed most likely.If that could occur they could be at 10-5 and a good shot at a wild card at least.

10-6 will not get it done in this highly competitive atmosphere known as the NFL regular season.

In week 17 they face Cleveland again which is one of those must wins games they can 't lose, like those three last season.

I still can't figure out how the Steelers lost to Kansas City, Oakland, and Cleveland, plus a couple others last year.

Beating Cleveland puts the game by game projection at 10-6 for the season which will not work.

Simply put, the Steelers must beat Miami or New Orleans on the road this season to make the playoffs. That two week trip will make or break your season.

Oh, and don't lose to the Raiders. Faithfully yours, San Francisco and Pittsburgh,

Thomas[ NFL Mikee] Moreland