2011 NFL Schedule: Final Prediction for Pittsburgh Steelers' Losses This Year

About a month ago, I published how many losses I thought the Pittsburgh Steelers would have in 2011. After watching them play in the NFL Preseason, as well as other teams, some changes need to be made.

One of my predictions was that the Steelers would lose to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3 mostly because of one man—Peyton Manning.

Now that Manning will be out for an unknown amount of time, that change—as well as others—needs to be made.

Here is the final prediction of how well the Steelers will do in 2011.

No. 3: Baltimore Ravens, Week 1 or Week 9

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a better team than the Baltimore Ravens. They are better on offense and defense.

How much better? Not a whole lot, but enough to win head-to-head if completely healthy.

There lies the issue, and the scary part—health. Both Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu will be healthy in Week 1, so the Steelers should have a slight advantage on the road in Baltimore.

Could this finally be the day that Joe Flacco defeats the Steelers when Roethlisberger is his counterpart?

Possibly.

The teams play close games just about every time they play. A play here or a play there, and Flacco could finally be victorious.

If Flacco and the Ravens cannot win Sunday, then they will have another shot in Week 9 when they travel to Heinz Field.

Who’s to say that Roethlisberger and/or Polamalu will be healthy? We can’t project that they will or will not be.

That is why it is a safe bet to suggest that the Ravens will get the Steelers once in 2011.

No. 2: Houston Texans, Week 4

In Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Houston to face the Texans, a team that is looking to finally break their playoff drought.

This is their best season to attempt that feat because of the Peyton Manning injury for the Indianapolis Colts.

Matt Schaub should have a productive day throwing the football—if he gets time to do so. Arian Foster won’t get more than 100 yards if he is healthy, but he just needs to be effective.

If the Steelers play their style of football, they can beat anybody in the NFL. However, the Texans do present problems with their offense, and if the Steelers have an off-day, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them fall to the Texans.

No. 1: New England Patriots, Week 8

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have been the biggest nemesis to the Pittsburgh Steelers since the turn of the century.

Since his debut, Brady is 6-1 against the Steelers with his only loss coming during the 2004 regular season. Brady went 30-of-43 with 350 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers in a 39-26 victory at Heinz Field in 2010.

Brady destroys the Steelers' secondary, and it seems probable he would do it again.

Pittsburgh Steelers Finish 13-3

Expectations in the Steel City are high when discussing the Pittsburgh Steelers; 13-3 is the record I believe they will achieve if they have Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu healthy for all 16 games.

Chances are one of them will miss at least one game, causing all bets to be off. Roethlisberger has only played in all 16 games once in his career. Polamalu has played in all 16 games four times, but missed time in the past two seasons due to injury.

This team has all the tools of winning the AFC North and gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

They are stacked offensively and defensively, to go along with a tough-minded head coach in Mike Tomlin and a veteran locker room.

It is up to them to prove they can make it back to the Super Bowl. If they do, it would mark the first time since the Buffalo Bills in 1994 to return to a Super Bowl after losing one the previous season.