Predicting what will happen in a given NFL season is an extremely difficult task. There are so many different and unknowns that can lead to a team that was expected to win its division and leave them struggling to win 5 or 6 games. For these reasons, I tried to avoid announcing any of my personal predictions about the Steelers’ performance this year, but a recent article in the Bleacher Report inspired me to change my mind. The article was written by Gary Davenport and described his “9 bold predictions for the 2020 NFL season.” The first item on the list says the Steelers will win the AFC North this season. I’m sure a lot of Steelers fans won’t agree with the “boldness” of a claim that really gives him the talent and expertise on the Steelers roster and coaching staff, but either way his statement excited me. release some of my own bold predictions for this season
James Conner far exceeds expectations and rushes for over 1,300 yards on its way to a second Pro bowl appearance
Maybe it’s the fact that I just finished his autobiography “Fear is a Choice”, or maybe it’s just that I’m a fan of a good story, but I have a feeling James Conner is going to explode in 2020. Going into Rookie Conner’s final year, Conner is under pressure to perform at his best, especially considering the Steelers have run every year since he was selected. I think he is more than ready to rise to the occasion. In 2018, people forget he was fifth in the league in rushing yards and second in the AFC before getting injured in Week 13 against the Chargers. He was playing at an extremely high level, and as long as he can stay healthy, I don’t see why he can’t return to his 2018 form this season. As Ben Roethlisberger continues to age, the Steelers will have to rely more on the running game. In addition, the Steelers finally have a defense capable of taking the opposing team off the field and returning the ball to the offensive hands, something that had not been the case before last season. I think these composite factors will combine for the perfect storm and lead to a massive season for James Conner.
Diontae Johnson and Juju Smith-Schuster break 1,000 yards and establish themselves as an elite duo
While this prediction is a little less bold than some of the others on this list, I still thought it was worth including. Despite his struggles last season, I don’t think anyone will be surprised if JuJu Smith-Schuster breaks the 1,000-yard mark now that he’s getting his quarterback back. The question then is whether Diontae Johnson is ready to make a big sophomore jump and rise to the same level as some of the best widths in the NFL. Given his abrupt route and his impressive ability to make people lose in space, I think he has a great opportunity to do so. Hopefully a healthy Roethlisberger will mean a much better offense. And even if there is a greater focus on the running game, the airstrike should be more successful than last season. Johnson should take advantage of the high snap count and experience he gained as a rookie, which will help him transition to an elite No. 2 receiver. At the end of the season, I hope JuJu and Johnson are the next big catching duo in Pittsburgh, raising lingering questions about whether the Steelers should have kept Antonio Brown at rest.
The offensive line is less robust and sends 0 players to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2013
While I’m very optimistic, the Steelers’ offense will improve in 2020, the group from a position that I think will recede is the offensive line. Maurkice Pouncey’s age has started to show in recent years, and while he’s still a solid center, he’s not playing at the All-Pro level he used to. Alejandro Villanueva is among the league’s best left tacklers, but considering he missed the Pro Bowl last year and is also getting to his age, I don’t think he’s likely to return to Las Vegas (this year’s Pro Bowl destination) this season. The player standing in the way of this prediction is David DeCastro, who has made each of the last 5 Pro Bowls and has shown no signs of regression in his game. While it seems highly possible that DeCastro will continue to dominate, these are supposed to be bold predictions, so I will stick to my statement and say something, whether it’s injury or a decrease in production due to a weaker support cast on his around, keeps DeCastro made his sixth straight professional bowl. There is no denying that the Steelers’ offensive line is aging rapidly, and I hope it will show this season.
Defense sets new team record for sacks in one season
The Steelers have led the league in sacks in each of the past three years, with 56, 52 and 54 respectively. I hope they not only lead the league again this season, but also break the franchise record that was set in 2017. The outside linebacker position only improved this offseason with the addition of Alex Highsmith. When you add his talent to a room that already includes a rapidly improving TJ Watt and a man on a mission to prove himself and win a new contract at Bud Dupree, you create a deadly combination. Additionally, the Steelers are recovering Stephon Tuitt, who was on the road for more than 9 sacks before his injury last season. Cam Heyward is sure to remain a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line, and newcomer Chris Wormley could help replace some of the production lost by Javon Hargrave’s departure. I have no doubt that the Steelers will once again find themselves at the top of the league in sacks, and I’m giving them a great opportunity to set a new franchise record.
Two Players Take Home Awards in the NFL Honors
Unfortunately, the Steelers were skunks during last year’s NFL Honors ceremony (except for Hall of Fame members). As I enter 2020, I predict it won’t be the case again, and in fact, I see two Steelers players taking home big prizes. The first one is Comeback Player of the Year, which I see going to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. According to Betting Dime, he already has the best chance of winning the prize at +300. I wholeheartedly hope that you exceed expectations and win by a landslide. The second, and least likely, prize I hope a Steeler will win is Defensive Player of the Year to TJ Watt. After finishing third in last season’s vote, Betting Dime has him on the list with +1500 odds, good for the fourth best in the league. Her older brother JJ has already won the award 3 times, and after TJ’s impressive 2019 campaign, I hope he will win the first in 2020.
So what do you think of my bold predictions? And what are yours? Let us know in the comments below.
