Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview, Betting Picks: Will Kenny Pickett, Steelers Fall Short?
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have a bad season last season. Will Kenny Pickett, in his second season under center, and the Steelers fall short this year? Matt McCuen shares his Pittsburgh Steelers season preview and betting picks.
Matt McCuen - September 5, 2023, 1:11 PM EDT
5 minPittsburgh Steelers Season Preview, Betting Picks: Will Kenny Pickett, Steelers Fall Short?
We are a few days away from the NFL regular season, and while we wait, the best thing we can do is put in NFL Futures as we prepare for the 2023 campaign.
Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the season with a pre-season win total of 8.5. Mike Tomlin continued his dominance as a Head Coach a season ago as he enjoyed a 16th straight year of not having a losing record as the team ended 9-8.
Kenny Pickett began the year as the team's backup quarterback, but after Mitch Tribusky struggled early, the Steelers handed the keys to the rookie. Pickett ended his year with 2,404 yards while throwing for seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Pickett was outstanding in the pre-season, and the organization believes he can be the franchise quarterback.
The Steelers ranked 23rd in yards per game in 2022. The team will improve on those numbers with Pickett at the helm.
Najee Harris has strung together two 1,000-yard-plus rushing seasons in his first two seasons in the NFL. In addition, Harris has 14 rushing touchdowns. Harris will be a vital part of the Steelers' offense in 2023.
The Steelers ranked 11th in the NFL in yards allowed per game. In typical Mike Tomlin fashion, the strength of this Steelers team was their defense.
Cameron Sutton was a tough loss for the Steelers in the off-season, but the team was aggressive in free agency, adding some talent. The Steelers signed Patrick Peterson. Peterson is the active NFL leader in career interceptions (34). Linebacker Elandon Roberts and Safety Keanu Neal also will join the Pittsburgh defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Picks
The main reason that I love this pick is due to the fact of how good the AFC is.
Let's just look at some quarterbacks that live in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, and Russel Wilson will all compete for seven wildcard spots.
If the Steelers played in the NFC, they could do well enough to earn a playoff spot, but in the AFC, they are not a top-seven team. Additionally, the Steelers play in one of the best divisions in football and will have to face Burrow, Jackson, and Watson six times this year.
Pickett showed flashes of being the guy in 2023, but compared to these other quarterbacks in the AFC, Pickett and this Steelers offense ranks low.
This line should be at -200 +, which is why I find loads of value. The main reason that this line is not -200 is because of Mike Tomlin. As mentioned, Tomlin has never gone sub .500, but this will be the year.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers NO to make playoffs -145 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
NFL Odds
