The season is almost here, its the best time of the year! The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Bengals week one of the regular season. Game time is 9/11 at 1:00 PM EST in Cincinnati. With that being said it’s time for some bold predictions!
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense Will Be Top 10
With super-stars like Watt, Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick its hard to imagine the Steelers not always being top two in the league. Fact is the Steelers have had multiple significant injuries over the last few years and at times a lack of depth. I have no reason to believe the guys above will not ball out this year barring injury. However, lets look into some topics I think will absolutely help solidify this group to be elite.
I have a lot of faith in the secondary. Minkah, getting his payday keeping him as a Steeler for the future, Terrell Edmunds back on a one year deal locks down the safety position. The addition of Damontae Kazee who is known to be a playmaker and force turnovers is a huge addition. He is no slouch in the run game and will help give both Minkah and Edmunds a breather without missing a beat. He can simply pay both positions at a high level. Norwood has looked good in preseason also so there is a bunch of depth there.
Having Tyson Alualu back and the addition of Larry Ogunjobi helps the D-line. Bringing in Demarvin Leal will help to add in additional depth to the line, and the hype around Isaiahh loudermilk is real.
Kenny Pickett Will Take Over In 2022
This is no shot at Mitch Trubisky. Kenny will assume the starting role at some point this season. Kenny is a first round guy and the only QB selected in the first round. The Steelers do not take the pedigree of a first round pick as light as a team like the Jaguars. They want him to start and be the future. Mitch in my opinion is an insurance plan and a motivational booster for Pickett to learn behind a proven vet. I am calling it now, even if Mitch plays well, his first hiccup the fans and the coaching staff will be calling for Pickett. There is good reason for it, Pickett has had a great preseason. Even playing reps with the same unit Pickett was more effective.
He “Smiled in the face of adversity” as Tomlin would like to say. Kenny knew where the pressure was coming from at all times, was not phased by it. He connected on multiple routes on time and accurate. Kenny is going on 25 years old with multiple years of starting experience in college.
Jaylen Warren Will Beat Out Benny Snell
Jaylen has had a great camp and shown great flashes in preseason. I know I know Snell caught a touchdown pass from Pickett. Snell just lacks the explosive ability Warren has and It feels like Warren sees the field better. He is hitting the holes with explosiveness and power. It helps the D does not even know where he is behind the linemen. When he makes contact however he is pushing for more, he does not shy away. As long as leading up to week one against the Bengals there are no more fumbles, Warren will be a factor.
As always thanks so much for reading! You can always find great Steelers content here on Gridiron Heroics.