The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked No. 17 in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index. Here's everything you need to know about them heading into the 2019 NFL season:
The big question: Does the Steelers' offense have enough firepower to win without Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown?
This question lingered throughout the offseason, and it's one Pittsburgh is eager to answer. The Steelers believe they have a chance in every game with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. The next step is discovering whether receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner can turn Pro Bowl seasons into Year 3 greatness. The Steelers are confident the production will be there. Outside of that, expect the Steelers to spread the ball around, with several different receivers posting respectable numbers -- maybe 500 yards here, 700 there -- and the hope a no-huddle attack remains one of the league's best. -- Jeremy Fowler
Offseason in a nutshell
This is the time for the defense to make a leap. The draft-day trade for linebacker Devin Bush gives Pittsburgh a legitimate playmaker in the middle. His skill set was obvious in camp. Safety Terrell Edmunds looks comfortable enough in Year 2 to turn freakish athleticism into more splash plays. The Steelers are deeper at corner, have an emerging leader in T.J. Watt and a starting defensive line that can compete with any team. The key is improving that ugly minus-7 turnover margin from last season. -- Fowler
Inside the Steelers' schedule
Most important game: Though the playoff stakes are hardly boiling in Week 1, beating the New England Patriots in Foxborough in the first "Sunday Night Football" game of the season would inject serious confidence into the Steelers, who never have defeated Tom Brady in New England. The Steelers like the chemistry in the locker room without the constant drama of the past two seasons, and they'd like to show that matters on a big stage.
Toughest stretch: Weeks 9-11 feature the Colts, the defending NFC champion Rams and the Browns on Thursday Night Football. At least the Steelers get the first two of those games at home, and have handled the Colts in recent seasons. But Cleveland is a different team now.
Over or under 8.7 wins? Over. The Steelers are talented enough to win nine or more games and compete for a third AFC North title in four seasons. Pittsburgh can still win with sacks, good line play and steady play from Roethlisberger, who has never had a losing season. Prediction: 9-7. -- Fowler
Schedule ranking: No. 26
We almost listed Weeks 1-3 as the Steelers' hardest schedule stretch, but that strength is mostly the opening Sunday night visit to the Pats. Weeks 2 and 3 are Seattle at home and a trip to San Francisco. Like the rest of the AFC North, the Steelers' schedule is going from tough in 2018 (fourth) to easier in 2019. The end of the season gets interesting, because the Steelers have a lot of road games, to visit what we think will be weaker teams. -- Football Outsiders | See the full 1-32 ranking
Breakout fantasy star: WR James Washington
The Steelers' history of developing young wide receivers into stars will again be put to the test as 2018 second-round pick Washington looks to help replace Brown. He was limited to 37 targets as a rookie, but has big upside after dominating deep downfield during his time at Oklahoma State. There is room for Washington to take on a big role, with the likes of Donte Moncrief and rookie Diontae Johnson his primary competition for snaps behind Smith-Schuster. -- Mike Clay | More fantasy coverage
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 18-1 (opened 16-1)
Over/under: 9 (O -145/U +125)
Playoff odds: Yes -130, No +110
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Sept. 2.
Most interesting player prop
Over or under 1,290.5 receiving yards for Smith-Schuster:
Fowler: Over. The Steelers will try to infuse more balance into the offense with Conner and the running game, but Roethlisberger is at his most comfortable in the no-huddle with four- and five-wide sets. That bodes well for Smith-Schuster, who knows how to get open and has serious chemistry with Roethlisberger.
Clay: Over. Smith-Schuster racked up 1,426 yards with a 24% target share last season and that was with Brown and his 161 targets in the picture.
Bold prediction: Smith-Schuster wins the NFL receiving yards title
Smith-Schuster has shown a flair for the big play, and he's worked hard this offseason to show he can handle the load as the team's new No. 1 receiver. Getting 1,500-plus yards is very possible for Smith-Schuster, who can parlay a big Year 3 into a potential new contract in the offseason. Without a clear-cut second option taking away 75 to 80 catches, Smith-Schuster will get every opportunity to post big numbers despite double-teams coming his way. -- Fowler
Where the Steelers landed in NFLRank
No. 35: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
No. 38: QB Ben Roethlisberger
No. 79: RB James Conner
No. 83: LB T.J. Watt