5 reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers will win in week 1 vs the Giants

The Pittsburgh Steelers have led the league or tied for the league lead in sacks the previous 3 consecutive seasons. Look for them to start hot again in week 1 of 2020.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are again returning their pass-rushing core of Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Bud Dupree, and TJ Watt. These 4 players all have a role to play and they know it well. This core has played an important part in being the reason why the Steelers have surpassed 50 sacks in each of the last 3 seasons.

The Pittsburgh Steelers should be salivating at the match with the Giants offensive line. Nate Solder opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID. This forced the Giants into placing their 4th pick of the 2020 draft, Andrew Thomas, at the left tackle spot when many projected him to be their starting right tackle. This leaves the giants with former Dallas Cowboys backup tackle Cameron Fleming as the starter at right tackle.

Per PFF, the Giants have the 20th ranked offensive line coming into the 2020 season. A big reason for that is the regression of, left guard, Will Hernandez. He only ranked 57th of 89 qualifiers with a grade of 58.4. The Giants are relying on 2018 undrafted talent Nick Gates to find a home in his 3rd position on the offensive line at center. He filled in at tackle and guard for the Giants in 2019 and is listed as the starting center coming into week 1.

With the return of only two starting lineman, being Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez this offensive line is going to have to find chemistry and quick against the best pass-rushing unit in the league. With a rookie left tackle, a former undrafted tackle playing at center for the first time, and a former backup at right tackle, the offensive line is turning over 3/5 positions on the line heading into this season with relatively unproven players.