Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 season preview: Will return of Ben Roethlisberger be enough?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked No. 12 in ESPN’s Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we’ll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Steelers heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
The quarterback came back from major elbow surgery and looks accurate and strong in training camp practices, but how will he fare once the regular season starts? With the absence of a preseason, Roethlisberger’s first game action will come a day shy of a year since he sustained the elbow injury. He has the potential to be a “better Ben,” as general manager Kevin Colbert touted this offseason, but can the 38-year-old QB play a complete season injury-free?– Brooke Pryor
The Steelers are one of three teams without a player to opt out because of COVID-19 concerns. With a core of veteran starters returning on both sides of the ball, the team already had an upper hand through the virtual offseason. By every player choosing to play this season — including cancer survivor James Conner — the Steelers’ continuity becomes even more of a strength in an unprecedented season. — Pryor
Overall ranking: 12
Offensive ranking: 21
Defensive ranking: 3
Special teams ranking: 21
Total wins: 8.8
AFC North title chances: 18.3%
Chances to make playoffs: 57.5%
Super Bowl chances: 2.2%
2021 draft pick: No. 22
FPI’s strength of schedule rank: 26
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Toughest stretch: The most challenging portion of the Steelers’ schedule comes just before the Week 8 bye. The Steelers face the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns at home before finishing the first half of their schedule on the road in Baltimore. The rivalry triple-header won’t have the same feel to it with either no fans or few fans in the stands, but that won’t make it significantly easier for the Steelers. They haven’t played the Eagles since 2016, and it’s not nearly as significant as the rivalries with the Browns and the Ravens, but it should still be a challenge. The next two AFC North matchups will be even more difficult against two Heisman-winning quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson). But if any defense is built for those matchups, it’s Pittsburgh’s.
Over or under 8.8 wins? Over. The Steelers managed an 8-8 season with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at quarterback and without their top receiver and running back for long stretches in 2019. Roethlisberger’s return gets this team at least two more wins than last season. A healthy offense coupled with a top-five defense means the Steelers should be primed for a return to the postseason for the first time since 2017. — Pryor
The last time the quarterback played a full season, in 2018, he led the NFL with 5,129 yards. Playing with a pain-free elbow for the first time in years, it’s entirely possible Roethlisberger rebounds for a strong year — even without Antonio Brown. The Steelers added two big targets for Roethlisberger in tight end Eric Ebron and rookie receiver Chase Claypool, adding to a room that already includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. Roethlisberger will get the most out of those weapons. — Pryor
Pittsburgh appears to have found yet another gem at the wide receiver position after Johnson racked up 63 touches as a third-round rookie last season. For perspective, 63 touches ranks fourth among WRs drafted after Round 2 over the past decade. Despite the Pittsburgh offense struggling mightily without Roethlisberger, Johnson posted a healthy 59-680-5 receiving line. Johnson is positioned as the No. 2 WR in Pittsburgh’s high-scoring, pass-heavy scheme. He’s a strong mid-round investment. — Mike Clay
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JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR: 34.2
James Conner, RB: 50.5
Defense: 93.0
Diontae Johnson, WR: 107.7
Ben Roethlisberger, QB: 146.8
Super Bowl odds: 25-1 (opened 28-1)
Over/under: 9
Playoff odds: Yes -135, No +115
Pittsburgh was able to win eight games (9-7 ATS) despite Roethlisberger missing most of the season. The Steelers hit the under an astonishing 12 times last season. Will Big Ben’s return help their cause? Pittsburgh is behind only the Chiefs and Ravens for best odds to win the AFC (tied with New England). — ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
No. 31: T.J. Watt, OLB
No. 42: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
No. 73: Cameron Heyward, DT
No. 78: Ben Roethlisberger, QB
No. 100: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
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