Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl LV Odds & Analysis After Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl LV Odds & Analysis After Draft

Written by on April 28, 2020

Despite missing longtime franchise quarterback for the entire 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers went ‘all-out’ for head coach Mike Tomlin to finish with a very respectable 8-8 record. Now, as they get set for the upcoming 2020 regular season, Pittsburgh is hoping to get back in the Super Bowl mix in the AFC and nothing less. Following free agency and the recently completed NFL draft, it’s time to take a look at just what could lie ahead for the perennial-powerful Steelers along with their NFL Odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl LV Odds & Analysis After Draft

Steelers Offense Analysis

Pittsburgh finished at .500 a year ago and I though their hard play made head coach Mike Tomlin worthy of winning the Coach of the Year award last season. Without their longtime starter under center last season, the Steelers finished 30t in total offense, 31st in passing, 29th in rushing and 27th in scoring (18.1 ppg). To address their needs on the offensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh signed veteran guard Stefen Wisniewski, veteran tight end Eric Ebron, fullback Derek Watt, tackle Zach Banner and former XFL tackle Jarron Jones in free agency. The Steelers then selected Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool in the second round while adding Maryland running back Anthony McFarland Jr. and Louisiana guard  Kevin Dotson in the fourth and sixth rounds respectively.

Steelers Defense Analysis

While Pittsburgh struggled on offense without Ben Roethlisberger, they were mostly rock-solid defensively in finishing fifth overall, third against the pass, 14th against the run and a stellar fifth in points allowed (18.9 ppg). To improve their defense, mostly against the run, the Steelers signed XFL defensive tackle Cavon Walker and former XFL safety Tyree Kinnel while putting their franchise tag on star linebacker Bud Dupree and re-signing safety Jordan Dangerfield. Pittsburgh also drafted Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith in the third round, Maryland safety Antoine Brooks in the sixth round and Nebraska defensive tackle Carlos Davis in the seventh round.

Pittsburgh 2020 Overall Analysis

While Pittsburgh finished with what looks like a modest 8-8 record last season, the fact of the matter is that they played to their full capabilities in 2019 when many other teams would have called it quits as soon as their starting quarterback was lost for the season.

Now, as they get set for 2020, I’ve got to believe the Steelers are going to be much better on offense with Big Ben back under center. If that’s the case (it will be) and Pittsburgh plays defense like they did a year ago, I could very well envision the Steelers back in the playoff hunt even if they are definitely no longer favorites to win the AFC North (+325). Nine wins – or maybe even 10, sounds about right for the Steelers this coming season.