2011 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Season Preview: For the third time since 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. However, unlike the previous two appearances, the Steelers didn’t walk away with the Lombardi Trophy. After ending the year with a 31-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Mike Tomlin’s bunch has to have a sour taste in its mouth. The good news is that Pittsburgh has been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL for a better part of decade, and the 2011-12 team appears to be loaded for another potential title run.
It’s impossible to think about the Steelers and not think about the hard-hitting, nasty defensive unit. Last year, Dick Leabeau’s group was the best in football at stopping the run, and no defense was tougher to score on. The Steelers have a seemingly endless array of stars on the defensive side of the ball, starting with do-it-all safety Troy Polamalu. He is a factor stopping the run, pressuring quarterbacks, and is always capable of taking an interception back for a score. Plain and simple, Pittsburgh’s defenses reaches another level when Polamalu is on the field.
The secondary also features physical cornerback Ike Taylor, who may be the most underrated player at this position. In the front seven, linebacker Lawrence Timmons is a tackling machine, while LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are downright ruthless when it comes to rushing the passer. In short, the Steelers defense is stacked with playmakers, and they put up the numbers to prove it.
Offensively, the Steelers can be just as physical thanks to 225-pound running back Rashard Mendenhall. The former Illinois star has been an absolute workhorse since replacing Willie Parker as the starter. In two years as a feature back, Mendenhall has averaged almost 1,200 yards on the ground to go along with 20 rushing touchdowns. His offensive lines haven’t been all that great during the stretch either, making his numbers even more impressive.
While Mendenhall is dependable, productive back, the Steelers’ offense is led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He has a huge arm, and his ability to escape tacklers allows him to make big plays out of the pocket. This season, he may have the best arsenal of weapons he has ever had since coming into the NFL. Receiver Mike Wallace has officially arrived as one of the premier deep threats in the football. After topping 700 yards as a rookie, Wallace exploded for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns. As the unquestioned top option in 2011-12, he could challenge for the NFL lead in receiving yards.
Roethlisberger will also enjoy the services of the always reliable Hines Ward. Ward, along with tight end Heath Miller and newcomer Jerricho Cotchery, will catch the ball in traffic and run routes over the middle without hesitation. Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown also provide the passing attack with additional deep threats. Roethlisberger has thrown for less than 20 touchdowns in five of his seven seasons in Pittsburgh and has topped 30 touchdowns only once. That could change this year as the Steelers passing attack is armed to take a more significant role in the offense.
When it comes down to it, the Steelers are just a great franchise. From the personnel in the front office to the players on the field, Pittsburgh has no shortage of talent. The Steelers aren’t afraid to play nasty and win ugly when they have to, and come playoff time, it shows. With only Baltimore to challenge them in the AFC North, the Steelers should easy make the playoffs and should probably win the division. Knocking Pittsburgh out of the playoffs is downright difficult, and another trip to the Super Bowl is a real possibility.
Preseason 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 Super Bowl: +1215
Odds to Win 2011 AFC Championship: +625
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2011 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 1:00 PM at Ravens – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 1:00 PM Seahawks – – –
3 Sunday Sep. 25 8:20 PM at Colts – – –
4 Sunday Oct. 2 1:00 PM at Texans – – –
5 Sunday Oct. 9 1:00 PM Titans – – –
6 Sunday Oct. 16 1:00 PM Jaguars – – –
7 Sunday Oct. 23 4:05 PM at Cardinals – – –
8 Sunday Oct. 30 4:15 PM Patriots – – –
9 Sunday Nov. 6 8:20 PM Ravens – – –
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM at Bengals – – –
11 Bye Week
12 Sunday Nov. 27 8:20 PM at Chiefs – – –
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM Bengals – – –
14 Thursday Dec. 8 8:20 PM Browns – – –
15 Monday Dec. 19 8:30 PM at 49ers – – –
16 Saturday Dec. 24 1:00 PM Rams – – –
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM at Browns – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 AFC North Odds and Predictions articles.
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