Although Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 14 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, there’s always a first time for everything. Well, that’s what the books would appear to be saying through the medium of betting online odds.
The Steelers are the long shots of the AFC North at +800 to win the title. They’re also pegged on a modest 7½ win total, albeit the over and under are juiced to -115 as we look at the latest odds.
If you’re a forward-thinking NFL bettor, as we are, then read on for our way too early game-by-game predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We dive into their NFL schedule, examine the NFL odds, and take into consideration the latest NFL news, trades, injury reports, and more before delivering our NFL picks and predictions.
2022 NFL Futures – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Super Bowl LVII +6000
- AFC Conference +3000
- AFC North +800
- Regular Season Win Totals: O 7½ (-115) / U 7½ (-115)
Pittsburgh Steelers Game-by-Game Preview
Is this the year Tomlin’s unprecedented run ends or will the Steelers defy the odds once again? Where the Steelers are concerned, nothing can be ruled out, even though the quarterback situation is up in the air.
Early indications from inside training camp (July) are that Mitch Trubisky has the edge at quarterback over rookie Kenny Pickett. But that’s not gospel. Another thing that isn’t gospel is this way too early game-by-game preview. So, take the following NFL predictions. with a large grain of salt.
Week 1 at Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers would love to avenge the 41-10 defeat they suffered at Paul Brown Stadium last season, not to mention the series sweep as well. But it’s not that simple regardless of their starter. The Bengals are the AFC champs! The days of being the laughingstock of the AFC North are over for the Cats. And they’ll be motivated to underscore their championship credentials by kicking off 2022 with a bang in front of a packed house.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 0-1
Week 2 vs New England Patriots — Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
Patriots coach Bill Belichick will exploit the inexperience of either quarterback in Tomlin’s system. The Steelers’ defense can make a game of it. Tomlin will have a stellar game plan. But quarterback play could let down his side.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 0-2
Week 3 at Cleveland Browns – Thursday, Sept 22, 2022, 8:15 p.m. ET
Deshaun Watson’s uncertain status has the Browns in limbo. How they hold up remains to be seen, but the distractions can’t have helped. That said, Jacoby Brissett or Josh Rosen as the interim starters are infinitely beatable. The Steelers bossed this series last season and they might fancy their chances of doing it again.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 1-2
Week 4 vs New York Jets — Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets have been the league’s punching bag for quite some time and head coach Robert Saleh’s first season did little to change that impression. Add to that the Jets’ terrible 1-10 all-time record at Heinz Field and one can easily see how this would be considered a winnable game. However, the Jets are expected to be better in 2022. Whereas the Steelers’ retooled offense behind either Trubisky or Pickett might not have found chemistry yet. So, difficult though it is to imagine, a Jets win isn’t beyond reason.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 1-3
Week 5 at Buffalo Bills — Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers stunned the Bills in Week 1 last season at Orchard Park. It’s unlikely that the Bills will be caught unawares two seasons in a row.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 1-4
Week 6 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Buccaneers tied the Green Bay Packers for the best record in the league last season (13-4-0). Tom Brady will be 45 years young when he descends on Heinz Field (to be renamed Acrisure Stadium), but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The Steelers defense will give Brady headaches, but he wins the quarterback matchup vs Trubisky or Pickett.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 1-5
Week 7 at Miami Dolphins — Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, 8:20 p.m. ET
Assistant coach Brian Flores’ homecoming will be the backstory to this AFC showdown at Hard Rock Stadium. And Flores’ insight into Tua Tagovailoa’s weaknesses and Miami’s offensive issues will give the defense the leg up it needs to deliver a win for Pittsburgh under the lights.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 2-5
Week 8 at Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
This in-state showdown is usually a raucous affair. The Eagles came out of the pocket to surround Jalen Hurts with a ton of talent, but the jury is out on the third-year quarterback. T.J. Watt and the Steelers’ defense could exploit Hurts’ one-dimensional game.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 3-5
Week 9 BYE
Week 10 vs New Orleans Saints — Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
Sean Payton’s Saints finished 9-8-0 while running the quarterback carousel. Will the Saints be as competitive in the Dennis Allen era? It’s debatable. What we do know is that Jameis Winston is a wild card, they Saints are short on firepower and they’ve seen talent leave the building. A well-rested Steelers side should win at home.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 4-5
Week 11 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, Nov 21, 2022, 8:20 p.m. ET
If the Bengals are as good as everyone expects them to be, this will be a tough game for the Steelers to win, even if it is under the lights with a packed house at Heinz Field.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 4-6
Week 12 at Indianapolis Colts – Monday, Nov. 29, 2022, 8:15 p.m. ET
High expectations precede the Colts. Arguably, the Colts’ run game, headlined by Jonathan Taylor, the league’s top RB in 2021, could give the Steelers’ defense something to think about. But are we genuinely buying into the “Matty Ice” hype? Matt Ryan has been one of the worst quarterbacks under pressure in recent years. T.J. Watt and crew should have a field day here.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 5-6
Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons – Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons hit the reset button. They shipped Ryan to Indianapolis, signed Marcus Mariota for the interim and drafted rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota is the projected starter but whether he’ll hold onto the starting role is another matter. Nevertheless, the bar is set low in Atlanta and that makes this a winnable game.
- Prediction: Win
- Record 6-6
Week 14 vs Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers swept an injury-riddled Ravens team last season, beating them in Weeks 13 and 18. Once again, the Steelers will face the Ravens twice late in the season – an advantage the Steelers will be keen to exploit. Baltimore plays tough, but staying healthy has been a problem for the Ravens in the latter stages of the season.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 7-6
Week 15 at Carolina Panthers – Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers have seen enough of Baker Mayfield to know what to expect from the Cleveland cast-off. By the stats, Mayfield is 2-5 in seven starts against the Steelers. Should the Panthers trot out Sam Darnold or rookie Matt Corral instead, we’d still chalk this as a Steelers win.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 8-6
Week 16 vs Las Vegas Raiders – Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, 8:15 p.m. ET
The Raiders upset the Steelers 26-17 at Heinz Field in Week 2. They’re supposed to be better this year after acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams and hiring new head coach Josh McDaniels. But they have a brutal schedule from December onwards and they’ll be coming off a Sunday Night Football showdown with the Patriots.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 9-6
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
There’s no love lost between these divisional rivals, making this a toss-up for NFL picks. The Ravens could eke out the home win, thereby splitting the series with the Steelers.
- Prediction: Loss
- Record: 9-7
Week 18 vs Cleveland Browns – Sunday, Jan. 8. 2023, TBD
Most expect Watson to be available by this time and, as well, to be absolutely phenomenal. As if he never missed a season or dealt with lawsuits, investigations, hearings, negative media … and so on. But what if he isn’t phenomenal? Let’s face it, he’s had a lot to deal with. The Steelers sweep the Browns again.
- Prediction: Win
- Record: 10-7
