Football Betting

NFL Futures Betting – Steelers Must Weather Stormy Schedule

Posted on 8/22/2008 5:48:22 PM By Stan Simmons

NFL Futures – Pittsburgh Steelers

• Can the Pittsburgh Steelers overcome the toughest schedule in the NFL?

• Has their offensive line deteriorated?

• Is Willie Parker ready to bounce-back after a late season injury?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the stronger teams in the league but NFL futures bettors have to consider their ridiculous schedule when they are handicapping the Steelers regular season win total.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the NFL's toughest schedule:

Houston
@Cleveland
@Philadelphia
Baltimore
@Jacksonville
BYE
@Cincinnati
N.Y. Giants
@Washington
Indianapolis
San Diego
Cincinnati
@New England
Dallas
@Baltimore
@Tennessee
Cleveland

Considering they were swept by Jacksonville, have to face eight teams that made the playoffs in 2007 and still have Philadelphia, Clevelnad and Houston on top of it – three teams that won eight or more games – the Steelers have more than their work cut out for them.

As far as talent goes on the roster, there aren't a ton of concerns. NFL futures bettors know that the defense should be strong as per usual as long as everyone stays healthy.

The linebacking corps is as deep as it has been in a little while and even though they were a little quiet at time last year, they will get reinforcements with last year's draft picks LaMar Woodley and Lawrence Timmons stepping up this year.

The three-man front is fairly solid but the Steelers did take a big step back once they lost end Aaron Smith for the season. The Steelers don't have a lot of depth there, which is a concern.

The secondary is just alright as the group is much better in physical play and run defense than it is in pass coverage. Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor are a mediocre duo of starting cornerbacks but as long as Troy Polamalu is patrolling the backfield, everything should be fine.

On offense, the Steelers have surrounded quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with a plethora of weapons. After the running game choked in short yardages situations last year, the Steelers spent a first-round pick on Rashard Mendenhall to beef up the backfield. With Parker and Mendenhall, the Steelers could have the best one-two punch in the game.

On top of that, they spent a second-round pick to add wide receiver Limas Sweed, who adds a 6-4 target to a corps that already includes the sure-handed Hines Ward and the deep threat, Santonion Holmes.

The one lingering concern is the offensive line. They lost Pro Bowl players in two straight seasons as center Jeff Hartings retired last season and now guard Alan Faneca departed this season via free agency. On top of that, the Steelers used the franchise tag on Max Starks, assuming he'd hammer down the right tackle position but he's mailed it in this offseason and isn't even practicing with the first string unit.

The Steelers aren't the only ones with a difficult schedule in the AFC North as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals also have tough treks as well. But NFL futures bettors have to worry about the offensive line as the Steelers try to win the division.

Nine wins should win the division this year but it is unlikely the Steelers will surpass that total. Under looks good.

Stan Simmons' Pick: Under 9

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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.