Steelers: How Pittsburgh's history gives them a leg up on the AFC North
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been the King of the AFC North division. But the last two years have seen the Cincinnati Bengals overthrow them. And despite the Steelers being underdogs to get back their crown, one former NFL evaluator gave a beacon of hope that all Steelers' fans can appreciate: On a recent episode […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been the King of the AFC North division.
But the last two years have seen the Cincinnati Bengals overthrow them.
And despite the Steelers being underdogs to get back their crown, one former NFL evaluator gave a beacon of hope that all Steelers' fans can appreciate:
On a recent episode of the Colin Cowherd podcast, the famed sports broadcaster brought on former NFL scout and Volume Sports podcaster John Middlekauff to go over their "whoa" picks for the upcoming NFL season:
"Is there a whoa pick for you at this point? A division that I would go, I didn't see that coming," asked Cowherd.
"Well, I guess you could see it coming but everyone's gonna pick the Bengals, (in the AFC North) but I think the Steelers were really coming on at the end of the year last year," answered Middlekauff. We know how well they draft, we know how much talent they have on their team. You know, T.J. Watt, remember, he missed a lot of last season. He's a lot like Nick Bosa (last year's NFL defensive MVP) where, if he's playing 17 games, he's getting close to 20 sacks and dominating every game he plays in."
A healthy T.J. Watt certainly gives the Steelers a chance to not only win the division but go even deeper into the playoffs. A former defensive player of the year himself, he has proven invaluable time and time again, affecting betting lines as if he's a quarterback, with Pittsburgh being just 1-10 all-time in games without Watt.
"I mean, it's not out of the realm of possibility they win 12 or 13 games if they maximize and stay healthy," said Middlekauff on behalf of his "whoa" prediction. "And in that division, no one's intimidated, especially Baltimore and Pittsburgh by the Cincinnati Bengals. Even though the Bengals have been beating them, they will view if healthy, that they should win the division."
The operative word in that quote is "intimidated." I would not only agree with Middlekauff but go even a step further to say that when the Steelers are playing a home game in front of a sell-out crowd, they could be 0-10 and opposing teams will be intimidated by them.
That's what legacy, and reputation gives you in the NFL. All the talk you hear about "culture" and what it means to put on the black and gold or play in that city…that all comes to fruition when you play a team like Pittsburgh.
And while the past few seasons haven't ended the way anyone who supports the Steelers has hoped, being counted out and doubted is probably right where they want to be heading into 2023.
You can watch the full episode of the Colin Cowherd podcast here.
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Featured image via: © Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
