So we’ve been hearing it all offseason. The Steelers have the hardest schedule in the league. The Browns are poised to take this division. The Steelers have too many questions on the offensive line. Well, here’s our take on the upcoming season along with some predictions.
Week 1: 
Ian’s Prediction: The Steelers have a knack for coming out of the gate strong. They haven’t lost a season opener since 2002 (at NE) and haven’t lost a home opener since the same season (Oak). The Texans have a strong defensive front and will present a good challenge for the Steelers O-Line. However, the Steelers defense will be the deciding factor in this game, as they will more or less shut down Houston’s offense. Steelers 24-10.
John’s Prediction: This game, arguably the easiest on the Steelers’ schedule, is worrying me more and more. The Texans have no running game, but the Steelers usually shut down the run anyway, so that facet of our opponent is not as important as some may think. Fortunately, due to injuries, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, the Texans’ two biggest weapons, could not develop much chemistry last season. Houston has a great run defense, but horrible pass coverage, plain and simple, and the Steelers can beat you either way. Steelers 24-6.
Week 2: 
Ian’s Prediction: Our first away game and first prime time game of the season. If there was a knock against this team last year, it was that they didn’t show up big in away games. The big question here is whether or not Derek Anderson will be back from his concussion yet. Cleveland opens against Dallas, which means an 0-2 start for the media darlings as the Steelers pull out a close one (if Anderson plays) and blow them out if Quinn plays. Steelers 35-24.
John’s Prediction: This match-up is still one of the best rivalries in football, although you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the Steelers’ domination of late. The Browns will be dying to put the Steelers’ streak to an end and prove last year was not a fluke. The Browns know they should have won in Pittsburgh last year, this game is in Cleveland, and the Steelers have lost the second game of the season 4 of the last 6 years. Browns 20 – 10
Week 3:
Ian’s Prediction: Philly will move the ball against us, but the Steelers offense continues their hot streak, proving once again that we are Steee the best team in Pennsylvania. Steelers 28-13.
John’s Prediction: I’ve long been a Donovan McNabb detractor, and that hasn’t changed. What has changed is my new-found respect for Brian Westbrook, who I now consider one of the elite backs in the NFL. Defensively, the Eagles are the exact opposite of Houston – a below average run defense with a (on paper) stellar secondary. The Steelers’ run game finally gets on track. Steelers 28-7
Week 4: 
Ian’s Prediction: Last season, we embarrassed the Ravens in Prime Time. Look for a similar result this year. No one knows who the Ravens quarterback will be by this time in the season, but look for a big game from Harrison and Woodley. Roethlisberger has a Pro Bowl worthy performance. Steelers 42-3.
John’s Prediction: No proven QB + An injury-prone RB + No real WR corps + An inconsistent OL + An overrated, aging defense = Steelers 27-0
Week 5: 
Ian’s Prediction: We haven’t beaten Jacksonville since 2004. However, all of the games have been close. I really want to say that the Steelers finally get over the hump this year, but the brutal early schedule catches up with them, especially on the short week after the Monday night game. Jacksonville wins another close one. Jaguars 24-20.
John’s Prediction: “Remember the…” Not Alamo, but the end of last season. The Jaguars came into Pittsburgh not once, but twice, in four weeks, and defeated the Steelers via smash-mouth football (aka Steelers football). With that motivation in mind and the bye-week ahead, the Steelers will leave everything on the field. Steelers 23-13
Week 6: Bye Week!
Week 7: 
Ian’s Prediction: Coming off the bye week, we’re going to be fresh and ready to go. Ben has never lost a game in the state of Ohio, and it isn’t happening this time either. Ike shuts down Ocho Cinco once again. Woodley gives Carson Palmer a very ugly day. Steelers 27-9.
John’s Prediction: First off, don’t get me started on Chad Johnson- yes, his name is Johnson- one of the most overrated receivers in the league. Second, while Rudi Johnson is definitely not what he used to be, the Bengals are taking a huge risk by going with Kenny Watson and Chris Perry as their primary backs. Finally, while I like the young studs on the Bengals’ D (Rivers, Joseph, Hall), they simply are not enough, especially in the run game. Closer than you think. Steelers 17-10
Week 8: 
Ian’s Prediction: The defending champs come to town. No-Catch-ico gets booed as Ike has another big game. Willie Parker has a huge game and the Steelers win again at home. Steelers 24-20.
John’s Prediction: The Steelers will have trouble with Brandon Jacobs in the first half, but figure out how to contain him in the second half. Big Ben has his best game to date, in what amounts to the biggest offensive “shootout” of the year for the Steelers. Steelers 34-24
Week 9: 
Ian’s Prediction: Monday night in Washington the night before the Election. Get ready for a flurry of Obama and McCain ads. On the field, the Steelers defense shuts down the Redskins offense. The Steelers offense stalls a little as Jeff Reed is called upon to make some big kicks. Steelers 16-13.
John’s Prediction: The run defense problems evident with Jacobs rise up again to a lesser extent against Clinton Portis. Washington’s defense shuts down both phases of the Steelers’ offense. This one is decided by special teams. Redskins 13-9
Week 10: 
Ian’s Prediction: The Steelers schedule heats up here as the Colts, Chargers and Bengals come to town. I would love to see the Steelers crush the Colts when they come to town. More than likely, some holes in our secondary will be exposed and the Colts get revenge for the 2005 playoffs. Colts 31-17.
John’s Prediction: Does any team in the NFL have better talent on offense at every position than the Colts? Though he is improving, Peyton Manning’s biggest weakness is rolling out of the pocket (i.e., mobility). The run defense finally solves its problems, and, if Lamarr Woodley hasn’t already made a name for himself by this point, he will have a breakout game, creating havoc for Manning. The Steelers pound the Colts’ D with the running game in an important tie-breaker contest. Steelers 28-10
Week 11: 
Ian’s Prediction: The Steelers have played the Chargers close over the last few seasons. Before their loss in 2006, the Steelers hadn’t lost to San Diego since the Game We Shall Not Name. However, San Diego comes to town and does just enough to give the Steelers their second straight home loss. Chargers 27-24.
John’s Prediction: After shaking off the early season and injury (from last year) rust, Phillip Rivers and LT come to town firing on all cylinders. The Colts and Chargers present a good chance to see Lawrence Timmons in pass coverage against two of the game’s best tight ends. The Steelers will only be able to get one phase of the offense going against a very good defense. Not pretty in a second straight crucial tie-breaker game. Chargers 31-13
Week 12:
Ian’s Prediction: After two tough games, the Steelers are beat up and frazzled. Cincy provides the perfect outlet. The Steelers try to blow the game in the waning moments, but the Defense stands tall and brings home the win. Steelers 17-14.
John’s Prediction: I look for the “subs” to get a lot of action in this one in order to “rest” the starters for N.E. the following week. Mendenhall, Sweed, Spaeth, Timmons, and McFadden will lead the team in this one, with neither unit missing a beat. Steelers 28-14
Week 13: 
Ian’s Prediction: The Patriots have a faulty defense. However, our inability to play press coverage against their receivers gives Brady room for a huge passing day. This game is a shootout waiting to happen. The Steelers keep it close, but can’t close the deal. Patriots 38-31.
John’s Prediction: The Steelers’ lack of pressure from the front 3 will rear its head in this one, as one of the more solid O-lines in the game will provide Tom Brady with plenty of time. The Steelers don’t play poorly, just not well enough on the road. Patriots 21-20
Week 14: 
Ian’s Prediction: The Steelers need a huge bounce-back after the loss to New England. However, the secondary holes are still there. The Steelers do a good job against Terrell Owens but get burned by Patrick Crayton and Jason Witten. The game is close, but Nick Folk wins it with a late field goal. Cowboys 30-27.
John’s Prediction: This is the time the Steelers have waited for all year – the home stretch. The team has a point to make after crumbling at this point last season. It starts with a very stern test, but at least it comes at home. I have no rhyme or reason for making this pick, but the Steelers somehow get it done for a great bounce-back victory. Steelers 20-13
Week 15:
Ian’s Prediction: As bad as Baltimore is going to be, the Steelers haven’t won in Baltimore since 2002. The Steelers are beat up after two tough opponents. The Ravens take this one…barely. Ravens 16-10.
John’s Prediction: The Steelers hit their groove after the great win against Dallas. I’m sure Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Chris McAlister will be injured by now, so this game will be easier than it looks on paper. This is the week the Steelers clinch the division. Steelers 21-6
Week 16: 
Ian’s Prediction: With a 3-game losing streak, the media is calling for some changes. However, the Steelers step up and shut down Tennessee’s running game. Vince Young can’t handle the Steelers defense and the offense does just enough to pull out this game and clinch the division. Steelers 10-9.
John’s Prediction: The Titans’ running game worries me, but with games against similar backs (e.g., Giants and Cowboys) already under their belt, the defense should be fine. Scrambling QB’s also scare me, but Vince Young has yet to prove anything with his arm in his short career. The ability to run without the ability to make plays with your arm is basically useless. A defensive, boring game, but the Steelers clinch, at worst, the #3 seed. Steelers 10-7
Week 17:
Ian’s Prediction: The Steelers have things wrapped up and the JV team gets to play the last game of the season against the Browns. Much to the home fans’ chagrin, Cleveland stomps on us as we head into the playoffs as division champion. Browns 31-13.
John’s Prediction: The Steelers still have a shot at the #2 seed with some help, so the starters are in. As if a 1st-round bye wasn’t enough motivation, just remember Week 2. Steelers win big, but they remain the #3 seed. Steelers 42-24
In all honesty, I think the Steelers are good enough to go 12-4, but with the difficulty of the schedule and the lack of depth at some positions, particularly on the offensive line, this could be a struggle-filled season. The Steelers become the first team to win back-to-back AFC North titles.
John: 12-4
A stretch? Probably. But the Steelers have the offense to win shootouts and the defense to prevent them. They do get Dallas, Indy, and S.D. all at home in the second half of the season, meaning weather could benefit the Steelers. I see the boys in black and gold finishing no worse than 10-6 with a division championship at season’s end.
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