Pittsburgh Steelers early game-by-game predictions for 2021 season
By Tommy Jaggi
Week 11: Steelers @ Chargers
I know everybody wants to point out the fact that Ben Roethlisberger and Justin Herbert had similar statistical production last season. From a raw stats standpoint, that is true. However, there’s no denying he had an unbelievable season as a rookie, and his yards per attempt (7.3) and quarterback rating (98.3) both easily topped Big Ben last season.
After some remarkable performances last season, I think it’s reasonable that Herbert could take another leap forward in 2021. The Steelers will be forced to travel to the west coast, but this is a primetime game. I think this could be a very close contest, but I have a much-improved Chargers team pulling out the victory.
Prediction: Loss (5-5)
Week 12: Steelers @ Bengals
Even though the Bengals are a team on the rise, the Steelers have a significantly more talented lineup. Much of this contest will be determined by what kind of second-year leap Joe Burrow can take, and how much will he be aided by his new weapon in Ja’Marr Chase?
Even if Burrow has a big game offensively against Pittsburgh’s talented defense, the Steelers offense will be plenty good enough to rack up points against what could once again be one of the worst defenses in football. Steelers take the cake.