Bold Predictions: Steelers vs. Cowboys

Alright! Who’s ready for some outlandish, wacky, brazen, out-of-this-world predictions for this Sunday’s encounter between the Steelers and Cowboys?

Well if you’re here, then I think you’re ready for them, right? Brace yourself, this is going to be some of the more off-the-wall stuff I’ve predicted this season.

Elliott held under 125

I don’t think the Steelers hold the league’s leading rusher, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, to under 100 yards, but I don’t think he has as big of a game as he’s had in weeks past.

Yes, the Steelers had their problems stopping LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi, but that was without Cam Heyward, and without Ryan Shazier at times too. Still, I think Pittsburgh will contain Zeke for most of the afternoon, with Elliott getting a score, and maybe ripping off one solid run of 20 yards, which will put him just above the 100 mark. He’s just too big a part of the Dallas offense for him to not get 100, but at the same time, I think he’s not going to destroy the Steelers as he’s run over other teams.

Ben throws for over 350 and 3-4 touchdowns

What facts do I have to base this on? Here ya go!

The Cowboys may be missing CB Morris Claiborne and SS Barry Church in this game as well, which tilts this stat in Ben Roethlisberger‘s favor.

Bell gets first touchdown of the season

Le’Veon Bell hasn’t scored a touchdown this season.

Not one.

He’s going to look across the field at Elliott and want to beat him in ever facet possible Sunday. It’s personal pride, and I sense that Bell has a ton of pride on the line to call himself the best back in football.

That first TD could come from pass, like his 2 point conversion in Miami, or he could break for a nice run in the redzone. Either way, I think Bell finds the endzone this weekend.

Brown catches 10 passes

Antonio Brown also saves his best for home. In 3 of the Steelers 4 home games this year, he’s been targeted 11 times. He has only caught double digit passes once this season (12 at Philadelphia) but I think AB breaks that streak on Sunday as well, due to the aforementioned injuries in the Dallas secondary.

In 2015, Brown also had big games at Heinz Field with 16 catches against Denver, 10 against Cleveland and 17 against the Raiders. In 8 of those 2015 home games, he was only targeted less than 11 times twice: 8 against Baltimore, and 9 against Arizona.

Both were games in which Ben Roethlisberger didn’t play.

Look for a huge game from AB on Sunday.

Coates catches another deep ball

If Dallas focuses their efforts on Brown, Coates, now healthy from a hand injury, could be in line to catch another bomb against a weakened pass defense.

Sammie has been on the same three game slump as the rest of the team following a five game streak of receptions for 41, 42, 44, 47, 53 and 72 yards.

Ladarius Green plays, and scores

Folks, I’m betting heavy on Green having an impact. If Ben is good for 3-4 scores on Sunday, there’s no reason this fast, large target, can’t do damage. Simple as that.

Defense forces two turnovers

I’m thinking these come in the way of a fumble and a pick. A strip sack of Dak Prescott would be nice, as would a jumped route. Remember, Dak is still a rookie QB, and if contained and pressured properly, could make way for mistakes.

I could also see one of the Cowboys receivers, such as Cole Beasley, making a catch and run, and getting stripped.

What I don’t see is Zeke or Jason Witten fumbling: they are fundamentally sound players who just need to be tackled. Therefore the turnovers, if they come, must be generated elsewhere. It’s a task, but not an impossible mission.


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