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3 reasons the Steelers are legitimate contenders in 2019

By Tommy Jaggi

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers may have fallen short of a playoff berth last season, but here are three reasons why they are legitimate contenders in 2019.

The Steelers finished the 2019 season with a 9-6-1 season. Despite falling one game short of a playoff berth last season, teams are already selling the Pittsburgh Steelers as true contenders this year.

Pittsburgh lost Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Mike Munchak this offseason, and there are those out there who think they will be a ‘middle of the pack’ NFL team this season.

With all the hype surrounding the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the Steelers are getting swept under the rug as of late. Here are three reasons why the Steelers will be legitimate contenders:

Steelers were good statistically in 2018

Analytics show that the Steelers were a much better team in 2018 than their stats would indicate. They finished top five in both offensive points and yardage last season, and gave up the 6th fewest yards on defense.

A combination of untimely turnovers and key missed field goals helped lead to their demise in 2018. Their statistics say they should have been better.

Addition by subtraction

Call me crazy, but I think it is possible that the Steelers could experience addition by subtraction in 2019. Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell were wrecking havoc in the media, and Brown’s locker room antics were more than distracting.

Though it’s never easy losing star players, Bell has already been replaced by a capable running back in James Conner. Antonio Brown’s shoes will be harder to fill, but at least they won’t have the distractions pulling their team apart this season.

Key additions to the roster

As is the case every offsesaon, new players come and old ones go. Though the Steelers lost Brown and Bell, they added some key players this offseason through the NFL Draft and free agency.

Steven Nelson is a capable cornerback who should be an improvement over Coty Sensabaugh and Artie Burns from day one. The biggest improvement, however, should come at the linebacker position where Jon Bostic’s role has been replaced by Devin Bush. The Michigan standout is one of the best prospects the Steelers have drafted since taking David DeCastro in 2012.

Next. 5 Steelers that need to have a big impact this season. dark

It’s never easy to predict exactly how a team will perform prior to the start of the season. However, good 2018 statistics show that Pittsburgh was better than their record last season. Combine that with the fact that they cleansed their locker room and added more talent, and we are looking at a team that could be legitimate contenders in 2019.

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