The quick exit from the postseason still stings, but the Pittsburgh Steelers know dwelling on it won’t change things. What does 2015 hold for them?
Jarvis Jones finally starts a full season
Losing Jason Worilds to free agency (and then retirement) was a tough pill to swallow for Pittsburgh, which led directly to their drafting Alvin Dupree in the 1st round. Perception is they are razor thin at outside linebacker. Part of that problem are the lingering concerns regarding other former 1st rounder Jarvis Jones. In his first two seasons he has missed 11 games due to injury and has produced just three sacks. Some are starting to put the bust label on him. Luckily he will quell the fears this year, making it through the season mostly healthy and producing his first solid season as a pass rusher.
Gerod Holliman cracks starting lineup by mid-season
Playmakers aren’t made. They’re born. It just comes naturally to them. That is why is doesn’t take long for them to find their way onto the field. Most fans didn’t given Gerod Holliman a second glance when the Steelers plucked him in the 7th round. Little did they know this young man led all of college football last season with 14 interceptions at Louisville. What does that say? It says he’s at home in coverage and knows how to get his hands on the football, two things Pittsburgh safeties have lacked lately. Questions abound regarding his shoddy tackling ability, but this modern game is about big plays. Few are bigger than turnovers.
Ben Roethlisberger cracks 5,000 yards passing
He came oh-so-close last season, but Ben Roethlisberger fell inches short of the coveted 5,000-yard passing club that features four of the best quarterbacks in NFL history (Marino, Brees, Brady, and Manning). Part of that was a commitment to the ground attack. Now, with Le’Veon Bell out, Pittsburgh will rely on Big Ben even more early in the season. His arsenal of weapons is deeper and faster than ever too with the addition of Sammie Coates behind Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant. Suffice to say he crosses the finish line this time.
Le’Veon Bell breaks 1,000 yards despite suspension
Pittsburgh showed they were a different team last year whenever they didn’t have Le’Veon Bell on the field. His ability to balance the offense and pop big runs was sorely missed in the playoffs. Now to not have him the first four games due to suspension is troubling considering their first game is in New England. Even so, it won’t take long for the Pro Bowler to get going again when he returns. In fact it will be like he never left as he tops 1,000 yards rushing in just 12 games.
Steelers sweep the Baltimore Ravens season series
Apart from all the individual predictions, there is no team prediction the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to fulfill in 2015. That is sweet, sweet revenge on their hated rival Baltimore Ravens for the humiliating 30-17 whooping they received in the wild card round back in January. It will still likely be a couple of dog fights, but in the end the Steelers will exorcise a few demons by posting a rare season sweep of the black birds.
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