Steelers off to a great 2008 Season, 1st Quarter of season prediction is 3-1

Pittsburgh Steelers start the season 3-1, off to a good 2008 season. Yup, that is my prediction for the Steelers this year. Here’s how I see it coming together:

Week 1, Texans @ Steelers:

Texans a young team, being led by a QB Matt Schaub who’s only starting for the 2^nd year in his career & he didn’t play so well his 1^st year due to injuries & his inconsistent play. Their best wideout Andre Johnson is a great player, but he’s coming back from knee injury which cost him to miss 7 games last year. I don’t see this team being able to stop the Steelers when the Steelers have ball. Steelers win the opener, Steelers are 1-0.

Week 2, Steelers @ Browns:

I see this as a high scoring affair, Brownies should have split with the Steelers last year as they had a big lead in 1 game & they let it get away from them. Unfortunately I see the Brownies as a better offensive team this year, but fortunately for us I also see their defense being worse. Their 2008 Draft (lack of) didn’t bring any defensive stars who can contribute right away & their off-season didn’t shore up their woeful run defense from last year nor their pass defense – I see their defense being as porous as last year if not worse. But boy, will both contests with the Brownies be fun to watch as they will be slugfests, as both teams will light up the scoreboard. Steelers win a squeaker, Steelers are 2-0.

Week 3, Steelers @ Eagles:

This will be a tough one for the Steelers to win, intrastate game against a very good Eagles team. Don’t let last year’s Eagles record fool you, their leader QB Donovan McNabb should be healthy if not for the whole season at least for this Eagles home game.

And we know their defense is superb specifically with cornerbacks & safeties – which should keep the Steelers very good wideouts in check. I think for the Steelers to have a chance in this one, we’ll need a big dosage of our running game led by stud RB fast Willie Parker & rookie Rashard Mendenhall. Hoping Steelers can pull this one off, but for now I’ll give this one to the Eagles at their home. Eagles win a bruising/hard fought battle, Steelers are 2-1.

Week 4, Ravens @ Steelers:

Wow how the mighty have fallen, 2 years ago the Ravens won the division with a great record of 13-3 led by QB Steve McNair. Last year, Steve McNair missed more than half the season (played in only 6 games, 2 TD’s & 4 Ints) & the team suffered without him as they nosedived to last place finish in the tough & competitive AFC north with a miserable 5-11 record. The Raven’s strength is their defense, but even they need help from their offense, (not happening, since their number 1 QB from last year Steve McNair has now retired). I don’t see this team improving much from last year – due to: a) lack of decent QB play b) loss of OL future hall of famer Jonathan Ogden c) new coach.

I see the Steelers having a pretty easy victory here. Not many teams shake when they hear they have to face Kyle Boller (who’s been a 1^st round draft bust), nor Troy Smith the former Heisman winner in 2006, nor Joe Flacco (who’s a rookie, it’ll take him a while – maybe mid season before he can supplant the other 2 QBs as starter). Steeler’s defense should have it pretty easy this season against the Ravens – just key on their ground game. Steelers win easily, Steelers are 3-1.