2011 NFL Predictions: AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Season: 12 – 4

2011 NFL Draft: DE Cameron Heyward (Ohio State, Rd. 1/Pick 31), T Marcus Gilbert (Florida, RD. 2/Pick 31), CB Curtis Brown (Texas, Rd. 3/Pick 31), CB Cortez Allen (Citadel, Rd. 4/Pick 31), LB Christopher Carter (Fresno State, RD. 5/Pick 31), G Keith Williams (Nebraska, Rd. 6/Pick 31), RB Baron Batch (Texas Tech, Rd. 7/Pick 29)

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: WR Antwaan Randle El

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Ben Roethlisberger — 3,200 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Ben Roethlisberger — 17

• Rushing yards — Rashard Mendenhall — 1,273 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Rashard Mendenhall — 13

• Receiving yards — Mike Wallace — 1,257 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Mike Wallace — 10

• Tackles — Lawrence Timmons — 135

• Sacks — James Harrison — 11

• Interceptions — Troy Polamalu — 7

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Ravens

Week 2: Seahawks

Week 3: @ Colts

Week 4: @ Texans

Week 5: Titans

Week 6: Jaguars

Week 7: @ Cardinals

Week 8: Patriots

Week 9: Ravens

Week 10: @ Bengals

Week 11: Bye

Week 12: @ Chiefs

Week 13: Bengals

Week 14: Browns

Week 15: @ 49ers

Week 16: Rams

Week 17: @ Browns

Analysis: What is the best way to repeat as AFC champions? Don’t mess with your team. The Pittsburgh Steelers figured that out and kept almost their entire team intact from the team that lost out to the Green Bay Packers in last year’s Super Bowl. They have all their offensive weapons still. WR Mike Wallace keeps getting better and the position goes about five or six deep with receivers who can make a play when it counts. From WR Emmanuel Sanders to WR Antonio Brown, who will both be entering their second year, QB Ben Roethlisberger will have plenty of options. Plus, this year, Big Ben won’t miss any games to start the season. The offensive line will need to do a little better job protecting Roethlisberger, but he will get help from the running game. RB Rashard Mendenhall put up over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. The biggest help the Steelers got was first-round draft pick DE Cameron Heyward, and he may not even be a starter. The Steelers’ defense is superb and they signed LB LaMarr Woodley to a contract extension. If S Troy Polamalu stays on the field this year, the 2011 Steelers may get over the small hump the 2010 team couldn’t.

2011 Season Prediction: 14 – 2, First in the AFC North

 
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