50-YARD LINE

Here we go Steelers, here we go! Your Pittsburgh Steelers kickoff the regular season at Heinz Field this Sunday as the battle they Tennessee Tight-Ones to begin their quest for a 7th Lombardi Trophy. But first, let's look at Mrs. Black-N-Gold's prediction for the season.
As long as the Steelers keep their franchise quarterback, Big Ben Roethlisberger upright and healthy, they'll always have a shot at the postseason. The key is to let Ben be Ben. He's at his best when he's able to move the pocket and make plays happen. The Steelers have a younger offensive line playing mostly a zone-blocking scheme this year under their new line coach. The line hasn't been very impressive yet but I feel the more they play, the more they'll gel. They'll also need to give Ben plenty of time to pass as second-round draft pick, running back Le'Veon Bell is hampered by a foot injury and isn't expected to play in the early going. Another problem for the offense is team MVP, Heath Miller, is off the PUP list but isn't going to play immediately, either. The Steelers also need to learn how to lower the boom on their opponents, scoring-wise. They'll come out like a house on fire on their first series but then allow themselves to get bogged down in the red zone and settle for field goals afterwards. Score early, score often, score BIG!
The defense is a mixture of young and old this season. Troy Polamalu has impressed, looking like his Pro Bowl-self of seasons past. The question is, "How long can Troy maintain his torpedo-type of play before he gets hurt again?" There's still many of the usual suspects, as well: Keisel, Woodley, Timmons, Clark, Taylor. There's a few that may or may not be busts : Heyward, Hood. The Steelers can't keep depending on the greybeards to pull their fat out of the fire. The young players need to step up in a big way. Attack the QB and make things happen. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD!
The special teams continue to look more and more like a disaster area, especially with the penalties.
Coach Tomlin needs to prepare his teams to play. Most games they look totally clueless and do not display focused, disciplined football. Tomlin is known as a player's coach. Maybe it's time he becomes a coach's coach, instead.
Depth is a big concern. Or should I say, lack of, depth? There is none. The Steelers will need luck, and lots of it, to make it through the season without major injuries.
When I first saw the schedule, I figured the Steelers at 9-7, if they were lucky. After an 0-4 preseason, I'm thinking more like 7-9. Believe me, I don't like it any more than you do. I bleed black-n-gold and would love to see the Steelers take the Stairway to 7 this season. However, I'm also a realist. The Steelers just don't have the development, the depth, or the discipline that they once had. Until they do, they'll be watching the playoffs at home with the rest of us. I hope I'm wrong.
Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!