NFL Betting Online: So much has to go right for the Steelers to repeat as division champions, but they didn’t do enough to offset key losses on defense.
2014 Season Record: 11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 9-7 O/U
2015 Regular Season Wins Total: 8.5, -110 O, -110 U
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +2713
Odds to Win AFC: +1106
Odds to Win Division: +195
Outside a massive extension for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger there wasn’t much happening in Pittsburgh’s offseason, at least in terms of free agency.
That’s not to say the Steelers were quiet. They lost a huge piece of their identity with the retirement of long time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
Not only did the Steelers lose their DC, they lost the heart of their defense with the retirements of Troy Polamalu, Jason Worilds and Ike Taylor, while Brett Keisel was released. There will be a new look on that side of the football.
Keith Butler, the team’s linebackers coach for the past 11 seasons, takes over for LeBeau with some massive shoes to fill and a depleted roster to do it. The Steelers addressed their needs in the draft with linebacker Bud Dupree and cornerback Senquez Golson. But the Steelers won’t be the same, at least not this year.
Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown were the deadliest quarterback-receiver combination last year and that probably won’t change. However it will be tough for the Steelers to accomplish what they did last season, when they ranked second in total yards and passing yards.
Still there are plenty of questions surrounding the Steelers offense with All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy and Brown unhappy with his contract that has three years left on it.
It’s a good thing running back DeAngelo Williams was available for cheap to pick up the slack. The Steelers are hopeful a change of scenery does him god after spending his entire career in Carolina but struggled the last two seasons with injuries.
The abuse Roethlisberger has taken over his career will catch up with him sooner rather than later and we see him slowing down now that he’s in his mid-30’s. The Steelers take a step back defensively while integrating new personnel and dealing with a below average secondary. Teams will light them up and Big Ben won’t be able to counter with enough points.
The Steelers were a resilient group last season, fighting their way to an 11-5 record and the division title. So much has to go right for them to repeat and we don’t see that happening.
KEY ADDITIONS: RB DeAngelo Williams, LB Bud Dupree (R), CB Senquez Golson (R), WR Sammie Coates (R), TE Jesse James (R).
KEY LOSSES: LB Jason Worilds, S Troy Polamalu, CB Brice McCain, WR Lance Moore, DE Brett Keisel, CB Ike Taylor.
Based on BookMaker’s NFL odds to win the AFC North, the Steelers are projected to finish second in the division in a tightly grouped top three. Pittsburgh will have a down year on defense given the amount of turnover, but Roethlisberger will keep them in games, as long as he stays healthy.
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