The Steelers may have fallen short of the playoffs in 2019, but here are seven reasons why Pittsburgh will win the Super Bowl this year.
Every year around this time I write an article on the seven reasons the Steelers will win Lombardi number seven. I look forward to the day I can write the eight reasons they will win number eight, however, in the meantime let’s focus on what lies in the immediate future.
The way I see it, the Steelers have a legitimate chance at winning the Super Bowl this year, pandemic aside, and here are the top seven reasons why they’ll do so.
1. Ben Roethlisberger
The number one reason is always Number 7. As in Big Ben Roethlisberger. Last season the quarterbacks struggled as Ben went down in week two with his elbow injury, yet with him back at the helm slinging the ball downfield, the Steelers will easily improve on their 8-8 2019 record and have an excellent shot at advancing. His experience, leadership, and drive will propel this team to double-digit wins and elevate their play on the offensive side of the ball.
2. The defense
The Steel Curtain returned in 2019 and they should only get better this season. The return of Stephon Tuitt to go along with Cam Heyward up front is a huge addition to the defense. T.J. Watt will be up for Defensive Player of the Year again, and I look for solid play from Vince Williams up the middle.
In addition, Devin Bush will be a year better and Bud Dupree will be playing for a contract again, which makes him lethal. The secondary is the best it’s been in years and we all know that Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joe Haden, and Steven Nelson are beasts. Good luck to opposing offenses this season!
3. Mike Tomlin
Coach Tomlin is the third reason this team will do it. I’ve given him grief over the years but he has never had a losing season and last season may have been his best performance yet. He knows how to rally his troops and get more out of less than perhaps any coach in the league not named Bill Bellichick.
4. A favorable 2020 schedule
The Steelers have a favorable schedule in 2020. They play a second-place AFC schedule to go along with the AFC South with very winnable games vs. Jacksonville and I think a Tennessee team who will fall back this year. Lastly, they get a very weak NFC East division, which all spells at least 11 regular-season wins the way I see it playing out.
5. Tom Brady is gone
Tom Brady is in the NFC. Seems odd to write it, but it’s true. Brady cannot prevent the black and gold from advancing to the Super Bowl this season. Perhaps he’ll make it there with Tampa but he’s the NFC’s problem until the big game and the Steelers old nemesis won’t be the thorn in their side this year.
6. The offensive line will improve.
The offensive line has to be better than last year. With speed back Anthony McFarland being added and ideally James Conner back and better than he was in 2019, the offensive line will open up holes the running backs can get through. Perhaps even more importantly, this line will improve simply by Roethlisberger being back. They won’t have to protect any deer in headlights this season.
7. Cohesiveness
The last reason is also very important. The Steelers didn’t have one player opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. These guys are committed to each other and sincerely want to win the big game, and I think they have a real shot.
It’s been over a decade since the Steelers won their last Super Bowl, but with the return of Ben Roethlisberger, an experienced coach, and a remarkable defense, there’s no reason to believe they can’t be Super Bowl champions in 2020.