USA Today picks Steelers to win Super Bowl

I typically avoid reading and commenting on prediction articles, as any choice other than the Pittsburgh Steelers, usually has me ready to punch nearby objects. (Especially when the Baltimore Ravens are the pick to win it all!)

However, when the football gods smile upon Pittsburgh, we should sing their praises. Among the various NFL expert picks to win Super Bowl LI, USA Today is one of the few to choose the Steelers as their favorite to win it all:

Even if they only have reportedly suspended RB Le’Veon Bell on the field for 12 games, this offense is capable of dropping 40 points on anyone, assuming it can finally avoid crippling injuries. And if a turnover-generating defense improves marginally against the pass, this may be the year to build a stairway to (Lombardi Trophy) seven.

That’s a lot of “ifs” with no football having been played yet.

First, we’re still unaware of Bell’s status for the 2016 season, but can (at this time) safely assume that the star running back will play in at least 12 games. Bell has participated in every training camp practice so far, almost going out of his way to show naysayers that his knee is healthy and he’s 100% ready for the regular season.

Having only played 6 games in a season cut short by injury, Bell was still one of the most dynamic backs and league leaders. He is one season removed from gaining over 1,300 yards rushing, while adding 83 receptions for 854 yards (which puts many receivers to shame.) That year, Bell scored a combined 11 touchdowns. Should he be on the field with All-Pro Antonio Brown, the Steelers goal of scoring 30 points per game should be realized, if not superseded… that is, if the team can in fact, avoid injuries.

The 2015 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers saw a number of blows derail the team throughout the season, including the loss of their starting center (Maurkice Pouncey) in the preseason, as well as grieving with the losses of Ben Roethlisberger, Martavis Bryant and Bell, through various points in the season. Avoiding any lost time on the field, the 2016 Steelers could be better with the addition of Ladarius Green at tight end, and Sammie Coates (who many are calling a better version of Bryant.)

The remaining names may be enough to climb beyond the 30 point threshold, as Pittsburgh averaged 26.4 points per game, good for 3rd best in the NFL behind the 3rd best offense and passing offense (the run game was in the middle of the pack, 16th in yards.) Should the Steelers improve in any area on offense, they would only need to average a little over a field goal more per game, to average 30.

Just think if Josh Scobee had made a few field goals, that average may have increase roughly 1 point!

Regardless, while potent offense is in cards, it may leave the defense to pick up any slack, should Ben Roethlisberger’s side of the ball sputter and stall. Pittsburgh’s defense gave up a deplorable 4,350 passing yards last season, which ranked them 30th among the 32 teams (with only the Saints and Giants doing worse.) The Steelers were also 30th in first downs by passing, and 21st overall in total defense.

As bad as Pittsburgh was against the pass, they were 3rd in allowing rushing first downs, and 11th overall in points allowed. The Steelers were also 6th in interceptions and 4th in fumbles recovered, good for a 3rd place tie overall in takeaways. They also sacked the quarterback 48 times, 3rd best in the league behind New England’s 49 and Carolina’s 52 sacks.

Several draft picks and personnel moves should make the unit better (as if it could get any worse than 30th) with as many as 4 new players who who could see significant time on the field this year. (That’s counting the first three picks in this year’s NFL Draft, plus last year’s 2nd round selection Senquez Golson, should he be healthy enough to play.)

The traditional Steeler way of sacking the quarterback and generating turnovers returned last season, and with nearly all of the same front 7 rotation returning for 2016, combined with a potent offense, USA Today’s author may be correct in assuming Pittsburgh is on it’s Stairway to Seven.

Side note: how sweet would it be if this prediction came true, with the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating Bruce Arians’ copycat Cardinals?