MORE PREVIEWS: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAC | KC | LA | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | OAK | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Season: 10-6
Second, AFC North; lost divisional playoff game
Preseason power ranking: 2
The Steelers are still loaded on offense and have a vertical passing game that was unmatched at times last season. They can simply outscore teams and have a chance in every game because of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown. The offensive line is one of the league’s best, and a rebuilt defense has several young stars emerging. The defense had a knack for big plays a year ago, ranking among the NFL’s top five in sacks and rushing defense. The Steelers have never lost more than eight games in coach Mike Tomlin’s nine seasons, and from 2014 to 2015, as Roethlisberger started to thrive in offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s system, the Steelers have won a combined 22 games.
Roster upheaval has affected the Steelers, particularly on offense, raising questions about how much this team can overcome. Star running back Le’Veon Bell is suspended for three games; explosive wideout Martavis Bryant is suspended for the year; and new tight end Ladarius Green doesn’t seem close to contributing coming off offseason ankle surgery. On defense, the Steelers haven’t proved they can consistently stop above-average quarterbacks and tight ends. They are still thin at cornerback despite significant personnel investments in the defensive backfield. The AFC North is loaded enough that 10 wins might not be enough for playoff entry, forcing the Steelers to be near-perfect with teams such as New England and Kansas City on the schedule.
Steelers’ percentage chance to win each game
Sept. 11 at Washington: 57.6
Sept. 18 vs. Cincinnati: 62.6
Sept. 25 @ Philadelphia: 62.0
Oct. 2 vs. Kansas City: 61.5
Oct. 9 vs. N.Y. Jets: 69.8
Oct. 16 @ Miami: 57.4
Oct. 23 vs. New England: 44.9
Nov. 6 @ Baltimore: 49.9
Nov. 13 vs. Dallas : 72.6
Nov. 20 @ Cleveland: 70.0
Nov. 24 @ Indianapolis: 47.8
Dec. 4 vs. N.Y. Giants: 73.4
Dec. 11 @ Buffalo: 51.2
Dec. 18 Cincinnati: 44.9
Dec. 25 vs. Baltimore: 66.5
Jan. 1 vs. Cleveland: 83.6
Jeremy Fowler’s game-by-game predictions
Roethlisberger's completion percentage was up in each of the past five years, to 68.0 in 2015. When he’s healthy, Pittsburgh’s confidence is Ricky Bobby thinking he can live to age 245; if Landry Jones is starting, it’s Ricky Bobby sticking a knife in his leg to prove he can’t walk. -- Dan Graziano
Linebacker Ryan Shazier can outrun wide receivers and hit like a safety. The third-year defender is the prototypical linebacker for the Steelers’ zone scheme because of the ground he covers. The only thing holding Shazier back is health, but from November to January last season, no Steeler was more impactful on defense. He’s taken a leadership role, too, calling plays from the huddle.
While wide receiver Sammie Coates was a trendy preseason pick and should provide big-play ability, Eli Rogers is a true slot receiver who has emerged of late. Ben Roethlisberger targeted Rogers on four of his first 14 throws in the Week 3 preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. Rogers has a feel for the position and he’s quick. He should help keep double-teams off Brown.
The pass rush. The Steelers need one young draft pick -- preferably defensive end Stephon Tuitt or outside linebacker Bud Dupree -- to become a force of nature in the front seven and follow Steelers stardom. This defense is predicated on consistent pressure, and without it, good quarterbacks will capitalize.