Pittsburgh Steelers: Predicting the Season

Is it too early for a breakdown of the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule? Is it too early to predict which games they will win and which games they will lose? If you are a football fan like me than it is never too early for predictions.

In this slideshow I will breakdown every game on the schedule for the Steelers. I will then predict whether or not they will win or lose each match up.

Sept. 11: Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

What better way to start off the season than against your arch rival?

The Steelers and Ravens absolutely hate each other. When these teams meet, the score is usually low and features great defense. Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco will get a warm welcome into the 2011 football season from the opposing defenses.

As far as a prediction goes, each team will want to win to get off on the right foot. I expect this match up to be low scoring and very physical. Each defense will show up to play and each defense will control the opposing offense. The key to this game will be which offense can break loose and take advantage of any defensive mistakes.

The game will come down to the wire, but history has shown that the Baltimore Ravens crumble under pressure and can't win the big games.

Pittsburgh wins this one 13-7.

Sept. 18: Seattle @ Pittsburgh

The Seattle Seahawks roll into Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in Week 2.

Seattle comes in with a new receiver in Sidney Rice and a new quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson. While Jackson has the skills and ability to be successful in this league, he hasn't been given much of a chance.

Jackson and company will get all the chances they want in this game, but it will not matter.

Pittsburgh wins 31-10. The Steeler defense will get two interceptions, with one of them being returned for a touchdown.

Sept 25: Pittsburgh @ Indianapolis

What a match up this will be in Week 3.

Pittsburgh and Indianapolis will both come in to this game at 2-0, which will only add to the excitement. This game will be close and should be exciting.

Peyton Manning is coming off of neck surgery, and that may hamper his performance in this one.

Pittsburgh wins a close one 24-21.

Oct 2: Pittsburgh @ Houston

It seems that every year is supposed to be the Texans time to finally break through and win some big time games and make it into the playoffs. When they play teams like Pittsburgh, it is easy to see why they can't break through.

The Steeler defense will shut down the Texans in this one, and the Texans defense will not have an answer for Roethlisberger and company.

Pittsburgh wins 34-14.

Oct 9: Tennessee @ Pittsburgh

The Tennessee Titans come back to the Steel City.

History hasn't been kind to Tennessee when they play in Pittsburgh. Remember when the Titans disgraced the terrible towel? The Titans have not had success since they disgraced the Myron Cope original, and that "curse" will live on in this one.

Pittsburgh wins in a blow out, 21-3.

Oct 16: Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh

Another team that will not do well this season, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have a mediocre campaign this year, and this game will probably be the low point of the season.

Jack Del Rio will be fired after this season probably because of this game.

Pittsburgh rolls, 38-13.

Oct 23: Pittsburgh @ Arizona

The schedule makers were kind to the Steelers for this stretch of games.

After blowing up the Titans and Jaguars, the Steelers get to pick on the Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals will be better this year than last year due to their new quarterback Kevin Kolb, I do not see him being able to handle the Steeler defense.

Pittsburgh wins this one 28-17.

Oct 30: New Engalnd @ Pittsburgh

The hated New England Patriots come to Heinz Field. Tom Brady and the Patriots will likely be undefeated in this match up, and so will the Steelers.

Each team's offense will show up and produce some fireworks. With the Steelers getting three easy games in a row, New England will jump on the Steelers early. Pittsburgh will rally back, but an injury to a star player will hamper their efforts.

New England wins 24-20.

Nov 6: Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

The Ravens come back for revenge in this one, and with the Steelers down after their first loss, they have a prime opportunity to pull off a win.

This point in the season is usually when injuries and the Steeler offense struggles. It is because of these reasons that I have Baltimore picking up a win 12-10.

Nov 13: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati

The Steelers lose two games in a row to the Patriots and Ravens. Both of those games were at home, and they had injuries hampering the team.

The Bengals feel confident that they can pick on the Steelers while they are down. The only problem is, the Steelers will not lose three games in a row.

Pittsburgh rolls into Cincinnati and solves their offensive problems winning big 38-10.

Pittsburgh goes into a bye week at 8-2 overall.

Nov 27: Pittsburgh @ Kansas City

Kansas City will be good this year and may be a wildcard contender for the playoffs. The Steelers will be fresh and ready to go after their bye week.

Pittsburgh takes out a good Kansas City squad 24-14.

Dec 4: Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

The Bengals are thinking like the Ravens—they want revenge. The Bengals will show up with emotion and energy, but there is such a thing as too much emotion.

Pittsburgh cleans house and wins 35-10.

Dec 8: Cleveland @ Pittsburgh

The Browns face off against the Steelers in this Thursday night match up.

The Browns should not be terrible this year, but they will not knock off the Steelers at Heinz Field. The Madden curse continues, and Peyton Hillis can't get the offense going.

Pittsburgh wins 17-9.

Dec 19: Pittsburgh @ San Francisco

The 49ers will be an average team this year.

The Steelers are looking to win the AFC and lock up a playoff berth. The 49ers will not stop the Steelers.

Pittsburgh wins 21-7.

Dec 24: St.Louis @ Pittsburgh

The St.Louis Rams come to Pittsburgh trying to spoil Christmas for all of the Steeler fans.

Sam Bradford will be even better this season, but the Rams defense might be shaky.

The Steelers win 24-14.

Jan 1: Pittsburgh @ Cleveland

Pittsburgh has already locked up a playoff berth and clinched the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

The Browns are fighting for respect and bragging rights. The game will be cold and snowy with both teams slugging it out. The Steelers will likely sit most of their star players to get ready for the playoffs.

Even with star players out, the Steelers still win 10-9.

The Playoffs

Pittsburgh finishes the regular season at 14-2 overall. They clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and get a bye week. Here are my predictions for the AFC playoffs.

No.1- New England (14-2)

No.2- Pittsburgh (14-2)

No.3- Indianapolis (12-4)

No.4- Kansas City (11-5)

No.5- New York Jets (12-4)

No.6- Baltimore (11-5)

In the match up of Indianapolis and Baltimore, I have Indianapolis winning 20-17.

Kansas City takes on the New York Jets with the Jets coming out on top, 24-14.

New England takes on the New York Jets in a tough rivalry game in Foxboro. New England wins 17-16.

Pittsburgh takes on the Indianapolis Colts in a great playoff match up. This game goes to overtime and after the Colts score a field goal, the Steelers go down and score the game winning touchdown.

Pittsburgh wins 27-24.

AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh @ New England

What a great game to have for a championship.

New England defeated Pittsburgh earlier in the year, and the Steelers want revenge. This game could really go either way, and it will really take a lot out of each team.

The Steelers are down 10-3 in the fourth quarter when they score a touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game. Mike Tomlin calls one of the gutsiest calls in football and fakes the extra point. The Steelers get the two points and beat the Patriots 11-10 and advance to the Super Bowl.

NFC Playoff Picture

The NFC should be interesting this year. Here are my playoff teams and seedings.

No.1- Green Bay (13-3)

No.2- Philadelphia (13-3)

No.3- Atlanta (12-4)

No.4- St.Louis (9-7)

No.5- New Orleans (11-5)

No.6- Dallas (10-6)

Atlanta takes on Dallas in a high scoring ball game. Atlanta wins, 31-24.

St.Louis hosts the New Orleans Saints but this time New Orleans dosen't lose to the lower team. Saints win 28-14.

Green Bay takes on New Orleans in a good game that will feature everything a playoff game should. Packers win 17-10.

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta will be a fun game to watch. Philadelphia has too much talent and speed for Atlanta, they win 24-17.

NFC Championship: Philadelphia @ Green Bay

The Packers are looking to return to the super Bowl and defend their championship. The Eagles have other ideas, however, and pull out the surprise victory, 17-14.

Super Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

The hard nosed Pittsburgh defense goes up against the fast-paced offense of the Eagles. Both teams have play makers on both sides of the ball, making this match up very fun and exciting.

The first quarter will be slow with each team trying to find the weak spots in the other.

Game is tied 7-7.

The second quarter will have some nice plays by each team with the Steelers kicking a field goal to go up at the half. Steelers up 17-14.

The third quarter will feature a minor set back for the Steelers. They typically come out in the third quarter a little lazy, and the Eagles take advantage of this and jump out to a 24-17 lead.

In the fourth quarter each team fights for every yard and every first down. Pittsburgh ties it up, but the Eagles get a field goal with a minute left to go up by three points. To make the game ironic, the Steelers use their speed in the kick return game and return the kickoff to the 50-yard line. The Steelers move the ball and tie up the game at 27-27 as we head to overtime.

In overtime, the Eagles go down and score a field goal. The Steelers take the ball and chip away at the Eagles defense. They are looking to drive the ball into the endzone when Big Ben throws an interception. The Eagle tries to go down, but Hines Ward crushes him and he fumbles the ball. The Steelers recover, and after a lengthy review, keep possession.

The Steelers have goal to go, and with the first play from the goal, they call a pass to Mike Wallace. Wallace catches the touchdown pass and the Steelers win the Super Bowl 33-30.