Prediction Machine

I don't put much stock in predictions of the outcome of the season before it starts but read them for entertainment. I saw this one (linked through drudgereport) and read the Steelers prediction. This site has a computer model to determine how a game should turn out and they run it 50000 times for each game. Their prediction is playoffs, lose in first round, #1 defense, #26 offense, etc. Basically, not much change.

The reason I am linking to it is because they say that the most important offensive player is Mike Adams. I didn't bother to check but I wouldn't expect to many teams to have a lineman as their most important player.

http://predictionmachine.com/2013-NFL-super-bowl-odds-picks-preview#AFN

 

Wow, they sure don't think too much of the Steelers offense, do they?
... Offensive Rank: 26

 

No, but IMO it is our largest question mark after potential injuries.

The talking heads have made MOST fans believe that the Steelers are too old. Here is the reality...our #1 ranked defense has 5 guys over 30...Troy, Clark, Keisel, Foote, and Ike. Yeah, that group may be older, but they can still play.

The reason the offense if ranked so low comes down to experience. This offense if I understand correctly is the YOUNGEST in the entire NFL. That doesn't mean the Offense couldn't be dynamic, it only means that they haven't proven it yet. Here's hoping they all get hot!

 

The stat I didn't see is how did this prediction do last year? Likely, they were wrong - with both teams in the Superbowl. My point - this changes nothing. We know that if the line does it's job, and our starter stay healthy, our offense will put points on the board. Ben was headed for a MVP season before the KC game. After that game, the offense sputtered. Even after Ben returned to the line up. Doesn't seem like to much of a stretch that we have a chance at being closer to the team from the first half of last season than the team from the second half of last season. And if that be the case, they are far better than the 26th best offense.

 

Yup and overall, the offense could well be even younger next year possibly ... without the likes of Dwyer or Redman, Sanders, Burress, Cotchery, etc.

To me at least, it's hard to fault your O.C. (and you certainly can't fault Ben) when there always seems to be so much personnel turnover on the offensive side of the ball here lately.