5 bold predictions for the Steelers against the Bears

Pat Freiermuth will lead the Steelers in receptions

Pat Freiermuth delivered in a big way for Pittsburgh against Cleveland. He had four catches for 44 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The rookie tight end out of Penn State has 11 catches over his last two games, and has become the safety valve of the offense.

On the fourth down play in which Freiermuth caught a touchdown, Ben Roethlisberger called a timeout beforehand and raced to the sideline. It was obvious he saw a mismatch that Freiermuth could take advantage of. Sure enough, Ben had his tight end in a one on one matchup in the end zone against Ronnie Harrison, where Freiermuth caught the ball after juggling it for the score.

Freiermuth is big, athletic, and has been doing all the things that Pittsburgh has needed him to do. Roethlisberger is going to keep looking his way, whether it is in the underneath passing game or in situations where Freiermuth is stretching the field.

He has become the go-to receiver in the shallow passing game. With the running game working well right now for the Steelers, play action will continue to become more of the offense, and Freiermuth will get a good number of those targets. Give it a few seasons, and the Steelers will have a top five tight end in football.