Game-by-Game Prediction for the Steelers – Part 1

The 2022 NFL schedule is out and we know who the Pittsburgh Steelers will play, where they will play, and when they will play. Coming off an emotional season that ended with a first-round playoff exit, the 2022 version of Pittsburgh is a clean slate. There’s a new quarterback for the first time in nearly 20 years, our offense is very young and busting at the seams with potential, and we have a new-look coaching staff, among other changes.

The ultimate question is how will Pittsburgh do this year. Beginning today, and over the next several weeks, Bob Quinn and myself will drop our predictions for each game, four games at a time.

Let’s get started.

Andrew's Prediction for Week 1:

September 11 - Steelers at Bengals

For the ninth time in a row, Pittsburgh will open up the season on the road. This time, they will travel to Paul Brown Stadium to play the reigning AFC North champions and Super Bowl runner-ups. Last year, the Bengals swept Pittsburgh

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

in the regular season, including an embarrassing 41-10 loss on November 28. Joe Burrow will be looking to continue those ways come September 11. Look for Burrow to find the end zone at least twice. The x-factor in this game will be kicker, Evan McPherson, who is coming off an excellent playoff run. Look for him to kick at least three field goals.

On the other end of that coin is Head Coach Mike Tomlin and a retooled Steelers team looking at youth instead of age. Coach Tomlin says this off-season quarterback competition will be "fierce," so for sake of argument, and given the recent success of the Bengals, Mitch Trubisky will get the nod in Week 1. Steeler Nation will see a heavy dose of Najee Harris while the defense comes up with a few critical stops.

Unfortunately, Burrow is too much for Pittsburgh and the Bengals make a few first downs late in the game to seal the deal. I give the Bengals the edge in Week 1.

Bengals 24, Steelers 16

Bob's prediction for Week 1:

The Bengals embarrassed Pittsburgh last year and looked light years ahead in both matchups.  Pittsburgh was burned repeatedly by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins in both matchups. The run defense will be severely tested by Joe Mixon.  I don’t see the Bengals blowing out Pittsburgh for a third straight game, but opening on the road against the division champs is a tall order for a young team.  I think the offense struggles early but gets on track late in the first half.  A young team needs a learning game and this will be it.

Bengals 27, Steelers 17

Andrew's prediction for Week 2:

September 18 - Patriots at Steelers

It’s Pittsburgh's home opener but don’t tell Bill Belichick that. Since Tom Brady left New England in 2020, the Patriots' defense has finished no further than seventh in the entire NFL in total yards allowed. That will be the key in this game. Malcolm Butler and Devin McCourty will contain our wide receivers enough, allowing them to focus on stopping the run, making Pittsburgh one-dimensional. This will be a low-scoring game but the Patriots find a way to spoil Pittsburgh's home opener.

Patriots 13, Steelers 6

Bob's prediction for Week 2:

The young Steelers should be extremely motivated. Mac Jones and what could be an anemic Patriots' offense should be an ideal matchup for an angry Pittsburgh defense. I’m predicting this will be the game where George Pickens and Calvin Austin III demonstrate the ability to change a game. It will be sloppy and oftentimes ugly Steelers vs Patriots matchup. But TJ Watt wrecks the game and they win going away.

Steelers 20, Patriots 10

Andrew's prediction for Week 3:

September 22 – Steelers at Browns

Will we see Deshaun Watson by this time? Possibly. But until official word comes out, we should assume his status is up in the air. For sake of argument, let’s say a quarterback not named Watson gets the nod for the Browns, making it a little easier for Pittsburgh.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones tries to get past Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

By this time, Trubisky will be 0-2 and due for a win. Coach Tomlin will stick with him and he will secure his first win in the black and gold with help from Harris, who will find pay dirt at least once and rack up over 150 total yards from scrimmage. Pittsburgh wins in convincing fashion.

Steelers 27, Browns 14

Bob's prediction for Week 3:

Jacoby Brissett is likely to be at quarterback for the Browns in the matchup. Deshaun Watson should be suspended and Baker Mayfield likely spinning the Progressive Sign elsewhere.  If you play for Pittsburgh and can’t get jacked up for Cleveland, you don’t belong in the Black and Gold.  The Browns will be forced to rely on the running game in this matchup and if Brian Flores has done his job, this should go very well for the Steelers.  Pat Freiermuth should have a big game as the tape will have the defense chasing the wide receivers whenever they go in motion after the Patriots game.  Pittsburgh's offense settles in and the defense shuts down the run.

Steelers 24, Browns 13

Andrew's prediction for Week 4:

September 29 – Jets at Steelers

Will Kenny Pickett get his first start of the year? Barring any injury to Trubisky, I don’t believe so. In the Steelers' home opener, with emotions running high, Coach Tomlin will roll out the veteran once more. Look for Trubisky to begin building a rapport with Chase Claypool as his deep threat. Claypool eclipses the century mark and gets one touchdown.

Zach Wilson will be entering his second year as the play-caller and will have first-round selection, Garrett Wilson added to his arsenal. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for Steeler Nation, this is where we see the money talk for the Steelers. After spending the most out of every NFL team this off-season on the defensive side of the ball, the playmakers step up. TJ Watt doesn’t give Wilson any breathing room and secures at least two sacks with a forced fumble and the unit finds the end zone.

Steelers get the victory in front of a home crowd.

Steelers 31, Jets 14

Bob's prediction for Week 4:

Zach Wilson is an improving young quarterback and the last time the Steelers met the Jets, they broke their hearts in New Jersey costing them a playoff berth. The Jets had a solid draft and this could be a trap game for a young Steeler team coming off back-to-back big wins. Heinz Field and some Mike Tomlin magic should get Pittsburgh past the Jets in a surprisingly close game. Najee Harris totes the rock 25 times and the Steelers get a key turnover late and hold on.

Steelers 17, Jets 14

Andrew's final take:

The Steelers start the first quarter of the season off at .500 after dropping the first two games. The talk of mediocrity will continue to grow louder, along with talks of Kenny Pickett starting at quarterback. If the .500 play continues, it may be sooner than later that we see Pickett get his first shot at starting for the Steelers.

Andrew's record through four games:

2-2

Bob's final take:

It won’t be pretty, but after two close home games and a break from the schedule makers by catching Cleveland early in the season on a short week, the Steelers will find themselves 3-1 at the quarter pole, and the national media will be calling them overrated.  Perfect for a young offense that should be developing a very big chip on their shoulder when October rolls around.

Bob's record through four games:

3-1

How do you think the Steelers will finish through four games? Let us know by voting on the Twitter post, below! Following the conclusion of this series, we will randomly pick someone who has the best cumulative record to win a free shirt from the Pittsburgh Clothing Company. *Shirt price limited to no more than $25

VOTE ON TWITTER

Stay tuned to next week's predictions for Weeks 5-8.

#SteelerNation