3 bold predictions for the Steelers 2021 season

1. Team will win a playoff game for first time since 2016

Prior to last season, the Steelers’ last AFC North title came in 2017. The club finished 13-3 but were upset at home by the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round. In fact, the last time Mike Tomlin’s club came away with a postseason victory was ’16 when Chris Boswell kicked six field goals in an 18-16 victory at Kansas City.

In 2018, Pittsburgh got off to a 7-2-1 start but dropped four of the final six games and missed the playoffs. A season later in which Ben Roethlisberger missed the final 14 games, the Steelers overcame a 0-3 start and won eight of their next 10 games. But the Black and Gold once again collapsed and closed the year with three consecutive losses and an 8-8 record. Once again, no playoffs.

Of course, the 2020 Steelers set a franchise record by getting off to an 11-0 start. Then came four losses in five games followed by the home playoff debacle vs. the Browns.

So what will be different this season? A more balanced offense will not only lessen the pressure on Roethlisberger but keep the defense off the field more often than in recent years. Look for these Steelers not to be spent by December and January.