Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Bold predictions for Week 2 vs. Broncos

4. Benny Snell runs for 100 yards again

The Steelers wasted the first quarter trying to establish a feeble running game. James Conner exited the game with an ankle injury after registering six carries for nine yards. Tomlin believes Conner could play in Week 2, but he might not have to. Snell looked great against New York, and he deserves the start against Denver.

Conner is a fantastic young man, but he can’t shake the injury bug. The Pittsburgh product hasn’t performed at a high level since his breakout campaign in 2018. The Steelers can’t wait for Conner to rebound and find his rhythm. Snell ran for 113 yards on 19 carries Monday night. That’s one of the best performances by a Pittsburgh running back over the past year.

If the Steelers can re-establish a running game, it could ease Roethlisberger’s burden. Snell could help Pittsburgh complete its offense.

3. Pittsburgh holds Melvin Gordon to 25 rushing yards

Pittsburgh’s defensive line harassed Saquon Barkley on Monday Night Football. The former Pro Bowler recorded 15 carries for six yards. He also made six receptions for 60 yards, but let’s focus on the ground game. Barkley is one of the NFL’s most explosive running backs, but Pittsburgh’s defensive front locked him down. According to the New York Post, “Since 1970, only five others have run for fewer than 10 yards on at least 15 carries.”

New York’s offensive line didn’t help Barkley. Throughout the night, Pittsburgh swarmed Barkley and Daniel Jones. The Steelers amassed 11 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. Denver’s offensive line helped Gordon average over five yards per carry in Week 1 and kept Lock from taking a sack. However, Pittsburgh’s defensive front should abuse the young offensive line.

The Steelers can ruin Gordon’s stat line on Sunday. Pittsburgh possesses the best defense in the NFL, and we’ll see it on full display in Week 2.