2019 Pittsburgh Steelers Odds to win the Super Bowl with Expert Betting Predictions

This is a big year for Mike Tomlin. He's only a year removed from a 13-3 season, though losing in their first playoff game diminished much of the accomplishment there. And last year was a pretty underwhelming season - as much as a 9-6-1 season can be underwhelming, anyway - and was packed with all sorts of drama and some really bad play down the stretch after an excellent start. Tomlin has not driven this team right off a bridge or anything, and he is one of only three guys to ever last more than a decade with a team without ever having a losing record. But the team really seems to have lost some sharpness. And if Tomlin doesn't get things back under control in a hurry, then the Steelers could be in the rare position of shopping for a new coach in the next year or two.

Pittsburgh Steelers Coaching

Tomlin showed loyalty despite the 2-4 finish to last season, mostly sticking with his same staff from last year. He did make three changes among his positional coaches, with the most notable being the firing of former Steelers legend Joey Porter after four years as outside linebackers coach. It's a solid coaching staff.

Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Situation

The situation is much as it was last year, with Ben Roethlisberger leading the way and presumably making Mason Rudolph the next potential QB of the future for the team, as uncomfortable as he has made every other talented backup over the years. Joshua Dobbs is around from last year as well, and Devlin Hodges from Samford is in camp as an undrafted free agent who likely doesn't have a long shelf life with the team. This team will go as far as Big Ben takes them. He is 37, so age is always a concern at this point. But he is coming off the most productive passing year of his career, and he is healthy, so it's not a major concern now - especially given that two of the better QBs in the league are significantly older than he is.

How The Pittsburgh Steelers Improved

You have to decide for yourself if they improved or not with their two big offseason moves. Both Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell were world-class talents, but they were also world-class distractions and were not positive influences last year. With Juju Smith-Schuster at receiver and James Conner at running back, it's not like they don't have guys with superstar potential to step in - as Conner did admirably last year. And Donte Moncrief was a nice free agent receiver addition, too. The Brown loss hurts more but doesn't feel insurmountable - especially if it leads to a more cohesive team. In the draft, they got a steal when they took linebacker Devin Bush 10th overall. He is the next great linebacker for a team that has had no shortage of them.

How The Pittsburgh Steelers Got Worse

Other than the departure of two of the league's bigger offensive stars, there isn't a lot that stands out here. Besides those moves, it was a season of tweaks more than dramatic changes. Now we get to see if the roster is good enough as it is.

Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule Analysis

They jump right into the fire, opening at the Patriots. It will be a very interesting measuring stick game for both teams. Last year when they were struggling late, they still managed to beat New England. They then host Seattle and visit what should be an improved San Francisco club to cap off an interesting start to the season. Five of their final seven games are on the road, so if they are vulnerable this year as they were last year, then that could be a rough stretch for them.

2019-20 Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Odds and Trends

The Steelers are at +2500 to win the Super Bowl, which has them tied with Minnesota and Dallas and behind 10 other teams. They are the sixth choice to win the AFC at +1200 and the second choice behind Cleveland to win the AFC North at +175. Their season win total is set at 9, with the "over" favored at -125. They are slightly favored to miss the playoffs at -125, compared to +105 to make the postseason. Like Cleveland, they are +2000 to have the best record in the league and +3300 to have the worst. Big Ben is the ninth choice to win MVP at +2500. Devin Bush is the fifth choice to win defensive rookie of the year at +1000 - a fair price. Roethlisberger is the fifth choice to lead the league in passing at +800, a less flattering +1600 to lead in touchdowns thrown, and is one of five guys deemed the most likely to lead in interceptions at +900. Smith-Schuster is the seventh choice to lead the league in receptions at +1000, the fifth choice in receiving yards at the same price, and the eighth choice to lead in touchdowns at +1400. James Conner is at +2500 to lead the league in rushing yards.

2019-20 Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions and NFL Picks

I'm not entirely convinced that Tomlin still has control of his team after all this time. But the roster is talented enough, and the Browns are being a little overrated in the division. I would pick the Steelers to win the AFC North. And even if they don't quite do so, I expect them to be very strongly in the playoff picture. I am fairly bullish on this team.

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