10 rigorous missions for Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023

4. Steelers rank first in defense at the end of the season

Defense is an important ingredient to the Steelers' winning formula. It's allowed Kenny Pickett to experience the hardships without costing Pittsburgh a losing season. New editions to the roster will allow Teryl Austin's defense to flourish even more this year. Kwon Alexander and Nick Herbig impressed fans during the pre-season.

Cole Holcomb's debut is also something to look forward to. The Steelers have enough weapons to surpass the 49ers in defensive rankings. A well-rounded roster is easy to assess on paper, so we’ll need to see this team in action.

3. Steelers go on an eight-game win streak

Piling up wins is a good way to secure a ticket for the AFC playoff bracket. Competition is intense, and victories weigh heavy in conference standings. The Steelers expect to use valuable experience to conquer their foes this year. I believe the franchise should find its new identity by Week 5. Matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns will test the Steeler's projection.

If they conquer both teams, they could start a winning streak. The Houston Texans are the first opponent during a winnable stretch of games. They'll take on franchises in a similar situation to the one they face. Wins are achievable but will take a complete effort. The Steelers travel to Cincinnati in Week 12, and hopefully, they'll have a handful of wins under their belt.