PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2023 Record -10-7
Head Coach - Mike Tomlin
Key Additions - Russell Wilson (QB), Justin Fields (QB), Patrick Queen (LB), Van Jefferson (WR), Donte Jackson (DB), DeShon Elliott (DB), Cordarrelle Patterson (RB/KR)
Key Losses - Diontae Johnson (WR), Kenny Pickett (QB), Mason Cole (OL), Kwon Alexander (LB), Patrick Peterson (DB), Levi Wallace (DB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Kenny Pickett (2,070 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT)
RUSHING - Najee Harris (1,035 yards, 4.1 ypc, 8 TD)
RECEIVING - George Pickens (63 receptions, 1,140 yards, 5 TD)
SACKS - T.J. Watt (19)
INTERCEPTIONS -Damontae Kazee (2), Alex Highsmith (2)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is entering his 18th season with the team and last year he continued to defy the odds with yet another winning season and playoff appearance. Tomlin has never had a losing season since taking over in Steel Town in 2007. The Steelers play in the toughest division in the NFL (AFC North) and went 5-1 in division play last season.
This year, it's a whole new look at quarterback with Russell Wilson (3,070 passing yards, 26 TD, 8 INT with Denver) and Justin Fields (2,562 passing yards, 16 TD, 9 INT and 657 rushing yards, 4 TD with Chicago) in camp to help improve the passing game, which ranked 25th overall (186 YPG) last year. The Steelers gained 304 yards per game (25th in NFL) while averaging just 17.9 points per game. Wilson has been around for 13 seasons now and if he can play like he did a year ago as opposed to 2022, the Steelers could be much improved on offense.
The Steelers defense is led by linebacker T.J. Watt and he showed why he is perhaps the top defensive player in the NFL last year for a team that was 21st in total defense, allowing 342 yards per game. Pittsburgh was tough in the red zone as they allowed just 19 points per game while also getting 47 sacks and 16 interceptions. The secondary will feature some new faces via free agency and that should keep things flowing back there for a team ranked in the middle of the pack against the pass.
If the Steelers want to repeat last year and make it back to the playoffs, then the offense must step up and deliver with Wilson (or Fields) at quarterback to score more points. The schedule this year is rough, especially on the back half with six division games and matches against Philadelphia and defending Super champion Kansas City on Christmas Day. The playoffs are a realistic goal for this team as they look to compete for the division title. Skeptics may scoff at that, but look at the track record Tomlin has and do not doubt the abilities of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Atlanta
Week Two - at Denver
Week Three - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Four - at Indianapolis
Week Five - vs. Dallas
Week Six - at Las Vegas
Week Seven - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Eight - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Nine - BYE
Week Ten - at Washington
Week Eleven - vs. Baltimore
Week Twelve - at Cleveland
Week Thirteen - at Cincinnati
Week Fourteen - vs. Cleveland
Week Fifteen - at Philadelphia
Week Sixteen - at Baltimore
Week Seventeen - vs. Kansas City
Week Eighteen - vs. Cincinnati
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