Stillers 2016: Past, Present, Future
Written by: Steel Dogg
Stillers - 2016 Season So Far
As we enter Week 6 of a season that is moving at the speed of light, the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers is very strong indeed. This was emphasized in a 31-13 beatdown of the New York Jets in Week 5. After a first half that many would describe as "ok", the Pittsburgh Steelers would go on to dominate the second half as they outscored the Jets 17-0.
At the moment, the Steelers find themselves atop the vaunted AFC North and appear to be clicking on all fronts.
Ben Roethlisberger has a 106.6 QB Rating so far this season. His passing stats over the last 2 weeks have been eye-popping to say the least. Over the last two weeks, Ben Roethlisberger is 56-74 for 680 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interception. During that span, his QB rating is 143.0. He is not experiencing the injury issues that he has endured in recent years, and one can say that he is flourishing as a result. The Steelers are currently 2nd in the league in passing yards behind the Atlanta Falcons.
Antonio Brown is the kingpin of the Pittsburgh receiving staff. Nevertheless, Sammie Coates has emerged as a valuable #2 option. Antonio Brown and Sammie Coates have 447 and 421 receiving yards so far this season, respectively. Brown and Coates are 6th and 7th in terms of receiving yards in the National Football League.
The Steelers also have a dynamic duo in DeAngelo Williams and Le'Veon Bell. Provided that Bell can stay on the field, the Steelers' rushing attack will only get better.
On the other hand, the defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers has not fared well when it comes to limiting allowing yards per game. Although the defense is ninth in the league in yards per game allowed, they are 25th in the league in yards allowed per game. Specifically, they are 30th in the league in passing yards per game.
Predictions:
After next week's game against the Dolphins, the Steelers will have tough tests in the next three games. They will face the New England Patriots in Week 7. After a bye, they will go on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens and then face the red-hot Dallas Cowboys at home. I predict that the Pittsburgh Steelers will go 9-3 the rest of the way to finish the season at 12-4.
Certainly, a 12-4 record will be enough to win the AFC North and get a first-round bye in the AFC. The three losses in this scenario would come at the hands of the New England Patriots in Week 7, the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.
The Steelers and the New England Patriots will likely be the two main front-runners in the hunt for the AFC title. However, until the Steelers show some improvements on the defensive side of the ball, the defending Super Bowl champions are heavy favorites. As Big Ben and Brady’s careers’ are in the home stretch, we can all hope that it does play out this way and these two teams face off in the AFC Championship game.