2023 PITTSBURGH STEELERS WIN PREDICTION

BY ADAM GREENE

After opening the 2022-23 campaign 2-6, it appeared the Pittsburgh Steelers would be on their way to making history. Not that they’ve never had a losing season. Far from it. Before their 1970s dynasty, this was a pretty bad team.

But Mike Tomlin has never finished below .500 in his 15-year head coaching career. The Steelers won seven of their last nine games to not only stay mathematically alive for the playoffs going into the final week of the season, but finish with that winning record and maybe set expectations a tad too high for 2023-24.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2022-23 Record: 9-8

Playoffs: N/A

Presumed Starters

QB: Kenny Pickett

RB: Najee Harris

WR: George Pickens

WR: Allen Robinson II

WR: Calvin Austin III

TE: Pat Freiermuth

LT: Dan Moore, Jr.

LG: Isaac Seumalo

C: Mason Cole

RG: James Daniels

RT: Chukwuma Okarafor

LDE: Larry Ogunjobi

NT: Montravius Adams

RDE: Armon Watts

WLB: TJ Watt

LILB: Cole Holcomb

RILB: Kwon Alexander

SLB: Alex Highsmith

LCB: Levi Wallace

RCB: Patrick Peterson

SS: Keanu Neal

FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick

K: Chris Boswell

P: Pressley Harvin III

PR: Calvin Austin III

KR: Gunner Olszewski

2023 NFL Draft: Round 1: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia, Round 2: Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State, Round 2: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin, Round 3: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia, Round 4: Nick Herbig, LB, Wisconsin, Round 7: Cory Trice, Jr., CB, Purdue, Round 7: Spencer Anderson, OG, Maryland

Players Gained: Cole Holcombe – LB (FA), Patrick Peterson – CB (FA), Nate Herbig – OG (FA), Elandon Roberts – OLB (FA), Keanue Neal – Safety (FA), Kwon Alexander – ILB (FA), Markus Golden – OLB (FA), Chandon Sullivan – CB (FA), Armon Watts – DT (FA), Le’Raven Clark – RT (FA), Nick Kwiatkoski – ILB (FA), Tanner Muse – OLB (FA), Breiden Fehoko – DT (FA), Desmond King – CB (FA), Isaiah Dunn – CB (FA)

Players Lost: Cameron Sutton – CB, Robert Spillane – LB, Devin Bush – ILB, Trenton Scott – OG, Terrell Edmunds – Safety, Myles Jack – ILB, Steven Sims, Jr. – WR, Malik Reed – OLB, Anthony Miller – WR, Benny Snell, Jr. – RB, Arthur Maulet – CB, JC Hassenauer – Center (FA), Tae Crowder – LB

Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Odds

2023 Super Bowl Odds: +3300

2023 AFC Championship Odds: +1800

2023 AFC North Odds: +500

Team Wins: Over 8.5 (+103), Under 8.5 (-125)

I made the joke during the Steelers’ embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the opening week that edge rusher TJ Watt was playing selfishly, racking up sacks, tackles and turnovers while not scoring a single touchdown. Turns out, he must have read that because defensive scores are pretty much why Pittsburgh is sitting at 1-1 as a write this.

These first two weeks have proven, beyond any argument, that the preseason was meaningless. No team looked better than the Steelers in August. On offense, they’ve barely looked like they know the sport they’re playing is football. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada was much maligned a season ago. But, trust me, it’s nothing like the hate he’ll be getting this year if Pittsburgh finishes with a losing record for the first time in Tomlin’s tenure.

2023-23 Win Prediction: 7-10

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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