What we want to see over the Steelers next 8 games
I have an almost morbid curiosity with predictions. Mike Pelaia, a contributor here who also does a fine job with his own site Steel Nation Association, published a handful of predictions for the second half of the Steelers season. While I don’t agree with some of them, that’s the fun of predictions!
Without peeking too far into that crystal ball of mine, I felt like it was a better idea to talk about what we want to see over the next eight games of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 season, rather than try to predict what will happen (since Mike already did so).
Here’s what I feel fans want to see from the Steelers over the course of the second half of the season.
Blowout an opponent – badly
Each week I try to pretend that I know something about the Steelers.
And each week I continue to be disappointed, as I’m waiting for the offense to break out with a big game.
That big game is coming, as Pittsburgh faces significantly weaker defenses in the coming weeks, along with playing five of their last seven games at home (rather than on the road, where they “struggle”).
That big game is coming…
Score 30 points per game
And they’re going to come more frequently.
Ben Roethlisberger was asked about this lofty goal on his most recent weekly radio show and said something to the effect of “scoring 30 points doesn’t mean we’ll always win”.
But it could help!
The Steelers haven’t had trouble moving the football; just getting into the end zone. Look for them to remedy the problem going forward.
James Conner
Who doesn’t want to see more of Pittsburgh’s favorite son?
Er, maybe that’s JuJu now since Conner is saddled firmly as Le’Veon Bell‘s backup… which isn’t a bad thing, considering Bell is one of the best in the business.
I think fans, especially those looking ahead to Bell’s lack of a contract past 2017, want to see what Conner’s capable of. I also believe if the Steelers get ahead in games and/or have a cushion for playoff seeding later in the season, Conner could start to see more carries in order to avoid a situation where the Steelers are without Bell in a big game (cough, AFC Championship).
Ben Roethlisberger pass for 4,000 yards
Believe it or not, but Ben has 2,062 passing yards this season with only two 300-yard passing games, and no 400-yard performances.
Even with a light workload, A healthy Big Ben should be able to eclipse the 4,000 mark for the first time since 2014, when he had nearly 5,000 passing yards after playing all sixteen games. In fact, Roethlisberger had back-to-back 4,000 passing yard seasons and has thrown for 4,000 four times in his career when playing 15 or more games.
With an offensive explosion, there’s no reason to think Roethlisberger’s numbers won’t increase as well.
Martavis Bryant returns to form
We’ve been itching for it, and it’s only a matter of time before Martavis Bryant gets 6-7 catches and surpasses the century mark receiving. A multiple touchdown game could also be on the horizon, as the Steelers try to fix their red zone scoring problems by targetting the big, tall target.
T.J. Watt wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
Internally we had this discussion, and unless JuJu Smith-Schuster has a game like he did in Detroit every weekend for the rest of the season, Watt could walk away as the Steelers Rookie of the Year.
However, the NFL appears to have a lack of standout defensive rookies who could be named the league’s best. If Watt gets double-digit sacks and makes any number of splash plays over the next eight games, he could easily add himself to the award conversation.
JuJu Smith-Schuster scores ten touchdowns
Don’t laugh: Jerricho Cotchery accomplished the same way back in 2013. Like Cotchery, Smith-Schuster will also operate out of the slot at times.
JuJu already has four touchdowns on the season and has gradually seen an uptick in playing time and targets. A moderate increase could push him into the double-digit scoring range.
Ryan Shazier be a first-team All-Pro selection
No more “alternate” Pro Bowl status for the Steelers shining star on the defense. A healthy Ryan Shazier will not only make the Pro Bowl, but will finally be recognized as one of the league’s best at his position.
A Pick Six
William Gay is itching to break Rod Woodson‘s franchise mark for interceptions returned for touchdowns. While Gay has seen less and less playing time this season, I doubt he’s the one to take an interception to the house; but someone inevitably will. A revamped Steelers secondary, complete with ballhawks such as Joe Haden and Mike Hilton, will eventually come away with one.
Someone gets double-digit sacks
As mentioned above, ten or more sacks would put T.J. Watt into the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation, however, a number of other Steelers could hit the mark this season. Among those with a solid head start already are Cameron Heyward (5.0), Watt (4.0), and Vince Williams (4.0).
Bud Dupree and Anthony Chickillo each have three sacks, but it’s Dupree, who sees far more playing time than Chick, who also has a fair chance. In his last four games of the 2016 regular season, Dupree racked up 4.5 sacks.
That’s after being largely inactive for half of the season after landing on the team’s injured reserve list.
No Steeler has had double-digit sacks since James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley both did it back in 2010. Regardless, I believe someone will reach the milestone.
