:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64692938/usa_today_11600210.0.jpg)
In case you didn’t know, the Pittsburgh Steelers will return to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in exactly 16 days of this article being published. With that, I decided to revive an old series we used to do as a lead up to training camp.
30 predictions in 30 days.
Myself and Simon Chester are alternating days giving a prediction for the upcoming season. Some will be team oriented, while others will be specific to individual players. Either way, read on to see the reason why we think today’s prediction will come to fruition, and why it might not come true. Give your thoughts in the comment section below the article.
Training camp is almost here! Here We Go!
Prediction: The Steelers will improve their AFC North record in 2019.
Why it will happen: The Steelers ended the 2018 campaign with a 4-1-1 record in the AFC North. They swept the season series with the Cincinnati Bengals, split with the Baltimore Ravens, and had a win and a Week 1 tie vs. the Cleveland Browns. As the 2019 season approaches many are wondering what to think of the division this year. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have a completely new look, the Browns are suddenly expected to be good and the Bengals look to be a way behind the rest of the pack.
Improving on this record won’t be easy, but it isn’t impossible. Just a few seasons ago, 2017, the Steelers went 6-0 in the division, and while I’m not going to suggest that prediction will come to fruition in 2019, improving on a 4-1-1 record could be possible.
As said earlier, the Bengals look to be dreadful this season. Another sweep is more of a reality than a stretch. The Browns and Ravens are the tough teams to figure out. Split with one, and sweep the other and you have a 5-1 record. If I were to put money down, I’d suggest the Steelers sweep the Ravens considering I’m not sold on their new-look offense, and all the players they lost on the defensive side of the football.
Why it won’t happen: Winning football games in the AFC North isn’t easy. While many, like I said earlier, are assuming the Steelers will sweep the Bengals, let’s not forget it took a Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown TD reception late in the game to beat the Bengals last year in Cincinnati.
The Ravens and Steelers games are always close, and the Browns look to be even more complete than they were a year ago. Baker Mayfield will be a year more mature, Odell Beckham Jr. teamed up with Jarvis Landry will be one heck of a 1-2 punch, and Nick Chubb and eventually Kareem Hunt make for a really good offensive roster.
When looking at this prediction closer, a 4-2 record might be more accurate, than a 5-1 or 6-0 prediction.
What are your thoughts on this prediction? Do you think it will happen? Or are we crazy? Let us know by voting in the poll, and letting your voice be heard in the comment section below!