My gut feeling is that general expectations aren't as high for Pittsburgh as they probably should be. The biggest concern is that the Steelers play in a loaded AFC North, but even a last-place finish could see nine or more wins.

Here's where we point out that the Steelers have never experienced a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin. If the over/under is 8.5, I'm taking the over every time.

Winning the division and getting past teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the playoffs is another matter. Pittsburgh is probably a year away from entering that conversation. However, an improved Pickett, a healthy T.J. Watt and a seasoned coach in Tomlin make the Steelers a team that no one will want to face in the postseason.

And the path to the playoffs isn't particularly daunting. Pittsburgh faces the eight-easiest strength of schedule based on 2022 winning percentage (.470).

The Steelers will also play nine home games versus only eight on the road, and they won't play more than two consecutive games away from Acrisure Stadium at any point.

Those AFC North games will be difficult, but if Pittsburgh can manage to go .500 within the division, reaching double-digit wins is realistic.

Win-Loss Prediction: 10-7

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