2015 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

By: Bradley Stewart

           The Steelers begin their season on Thursday night with a meeting against the defending Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots.  The Patriots have been the main headline grabbers during the offseason as the aftermath of "Deflate-gate" unfolded.  Pittsburgh had its share of headlines during the offseason.  Star runningback Le'veon Bell was suspended 3 games for a DUI last August.  

That suspension was later reduced to 2 games.  Upcoming second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant was recently suspended a for the first four weeks of the season.  Earlier in the offseason, long-time Defensive Coordinator, Dick Lebeu left the Steelers. 

All-pro Center Maurkice Pouncey was injured in a pre-season blood bath against the Green Bay Packers, the game in which Packers' Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Just recently, Michael Vick was signed by the Steelers as a backup QB after Bruce Gradkowski was injured.  What may be the most frustrating thing for Pittsburgh this offseason was the injuries suffered by kickers. Early in the preseason, the most accurate kicker in Steelers history, Shaun Suisham, tore his ACL and was ruled out for the season.  The Steelers brought in Garrett Hartley to replace him, but a few weeks later Hartley hurt his hamstring and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.  The Steelers then proceeded to trade for former Jaguars kicker, Josh Scobee.  This is the 2015 Steelers Season Preview.        

Suspensions

          As mentioned above, All-pro runningback Leveon Bell was suspended for two games and wide-receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended for the first four games of the season.  Bell received a three game ban in April, so the Steelers had the entire off-season to prepare for his absence.  His suspension reducing to two games can only help their plan.  They prepared for the all-pro runningback's absence by signing veteran DeAngelo Williams.  Martavis Bryant's suspension came as a shock to almost everyone following the NFL.  The Steelers knew about the failed drug test that led to Bryant's suspension at the beginning of the offseason.  With that being said, an entire offseason to prepare for the suspensions, the Steelers talent level will be reduced, but the game plan they've built will help.

GRADE: D+

Offense:

         This offseason, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger made a team goal: Average 30 points a game.  When looking at their offense it makes sense.  Four Pittsburgh offensive players made it to the Pro Bowl last year.  The offense can only improve as the "Killer Bees" (Big Ben, Bell, Brown, and Bryant) attempt to set NFL Records in this upcoming season.  It appears the only thing that can slow them down is injuries and suspensions.  As mentioned above, Bell and Bryant are both suspended for a total of six games and All-Pro Center Maurkice Pouncey is out for at least 8 weeks.  But when Bell and Bryant are back, the Steelers offense will take off.  

GRADE: A

Defense:

           Without a doubt, this is the obvious weak point on this football team.  One of the most stereotypical statements regarding the Steelers in general is, that  "Their defense is old."  However, of their projected defensive starters, only one player is over 30 years of age.  Their front seven is electrifying.  Defensive ends Stephen Tuitt and Cameron Heyward are all-pro material and their linebackers are young playmakers.  Bud Dupree was a potential Top 10 pick in this year's draft and Ryan Shazier was a Pro-Bowl nominee until his injury last year.  New defensive coordinator, Kieth Butler will change their defense to a zone defense.  So expect a few slip-ups because of the transition.  The bottom line is the Steelers have a young, play-making defense.

GRADE: C

Last Season:

         The Steelers won the AFC North last year, but it came with a price.  Le'veon Bell hyperextended his knee in the Week 17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Steelers received the number three seed in the playoffs, with a 11-5 record.  Bell was out and the Steelers weren't heavy favorites.  The Ravens cruised to a 30-17 victory in a ugly game for Steelers fans to watch.  However, since the Steelers finished first in the division, they now have the toughest schedule in the AFC North.  Since the turn of the century, only three teams have won back-to-back division champions in the AFC North.  Those teams consisted of the 2001-2002 and 2007-2008 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2011-2012 Baltimore Ravens.  The past two teams to win the AFC North in consecutive seasons have gone onto win the Super Bowl.  History is not on the Steelers side to win another division championship in 2015, but if they do.  Look out.

GRADE: B+

Schedule:

       The Steelers have the toughest schedule in the league and what could be one of the toughest finishing stretches in NFL History.  Their opponents this year had a combined record of 147-107-2 last season.  Good enough for a .579 win percentage.  Being in arguably the toughest division in football, where three teams made the playoffs last season does not help.  Their closing stretch consists of games: @Seahawks, vs Colts, @Bengals, vs Broncos, @ Ravens, and @ the Browns.  Many Steelers have the opinion that in order to be the best you have to beat the best, so they at least have that going for them. It's safe to say the Steelers can't rely on late-season wins, which means they have to take advantage of games against bad teams.  They can not lose to teams with the caliber of the Buccaneers, Jets, and Saints, as was the case last season.

GRADE: C+

FINAL GRADE: B-

PROJECTED RECORD: 10-6

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