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2006 Steelers Betting Preview

NFL News- July 26th, 2006 2:50pm
By: Mike R. - Want the latest injury information for this week's NFL games? Then come to "The Edge". Want to know the hottest games coming up on the NBA schedule? Then come to "The Edge". All sports will be covered, and will include game previews, opinion pieces and even a prediction or two.

Vip.com - Steelers Preview - July 26, 2006

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Sports Edge's profile of all 32 NFL teams continues with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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VIP Odds

Pittsburgh is 14:1 to win the Super Bowl, 15:2 to win the AFC Championship, and 8:11 to win the AFC North. Their Over / Under win total is 10.

Schedule

Pittsburgh’s 2006 opponents had a record of 136-120 in 2005. That is the second hardest in the AFC. They get their bye-week after Week 3 which is way too early in the season.

The Steelers open up at home against Miami on Thursday night. That game could hinge on whoever’s quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger or Daunte Culpepper) is healthier. The rest of the schedule is pretty daunting considering that they play the tough NFC South and AFC West divisions in addition to an improved AFC North.

Sports Edge Analysis

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks like he will be ready for opening day even after his horrific motorcycle accident. The question is, will he stand up in the pocket against the pass rush or will he be a little gun shy about getting hit?

Roethlisberger’s favorite receiving target is back in Hines Ward, but Antwaan Randle-El has gone to Washington and the team needs rookie Santonio Holmes to take on some of that production. Problem is, Holmes has already been arrested twice since the draft and he is looking like a major head case.

Running back Willie Parker had the bulk of the carries last year, but the team will still miss Jerome Bettis’ leadership and ability at the goal-line. Keep an eye on Verron Haynes who has received a lot of compliments from the coaches and could play a key role. The good news is that the offensive line should remain one of the league’s best.

The Steelers were the best team in the AFC last year in yards allowed. Their 16.1 points per game allowed was tied for second with Denver behind Indianapolis.

The Steelers’ defense returns nine of its 11 starters with only defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen and safety Chris Hope gone. Brett Kiesel steps in at defensive end and the team hopes that his pass rush ability offsets the loss in run support. Hope will be replaced by Ryan Clark, but the team drafted Anthony Smith in the third round to be the eventual replacement.

The core of the Steelers’ 3-4 defense lies with the linebacker core of Joey Porter and Clark Haggans on the outside and Larry Foote and James Farrior on the inside. With Troy Polamalu coming into the box from his strong safety position, it makes it extremely hard to run on them.

The Steelers’ weakness on defense used to be giving up the big pass play, but with the emergence of cornerback Ike Taylor and other young talent, that has been shored up. If the Steelers fail to meet expectations this year, chances are that it will not be because of the defense.

Prediction

When Roethlisberger decided to drive his motorcycle without a helmet, he put his team’s season in jeopardy. Everyone is thrilled that “Big Ben” was not hurt worse, but it will be a major distraction for the team as it will be brought up by the media all season long.

Pittsburgh is already dealing with the retirement of Bettis as well as rumors that Coach Bill Cowher could retire at the end of the year. Keeping focus after a Super Bowl win is hard enough with no major issues. The Steelers finished the regular season last year at 11-5 after winning their final four games. This year, they drop off a notch and finish with a 10-6 record.

Click any of the following teams for their NFL 2006 Betting Previews

Posted by miker at July 26, 2006 09:30 AM

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