NFL: One bold prediction for every team in 2021-22

One bold prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021-22: First half magic

It’s weird how sports works. At times, it doesn’t quite matter what you’re looking at on the field of play. Instead, most will rely on what they believe. For most of the 2020 season, that is exactly how the Pittsburgh Steelers were viewed.

Despite racing out to a record of 11-0, all anyone could discuss was how the Steelers weren’t a Super Bowl team. They were constantly castigated and the holes in their game were exaggerated far more than needed.

Now, in the end, they were all correct. The Steelers failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs and lost four of their final five games in the regular season. Still, the Steelers will become legit Super Bowl contenders this season and will closely resemble the squad in the first half of this past season.

JuJu Smith-Schuster isn’t a number one wide receiver, that we know. But, he’s arguably the best number two in the game. Sliding into that number one position will be second year man Chase Claypool who registered 873 yards and nine touchdowns despite starting only nine games. Ben Roethlisberger will be making his return to the lineup as well.

Regardless of the dirt that is constantly being thrown on his name, Roethlisberger is still playing at a Pro Bowl level. He threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Also, with head coach Mike Tomlin never registering a season under .500, they’ll be in terrific shape this year.

For Steelers fans, they should sit back, relax and enjoy the deep playoff run this team is about to embark on.