Bodog Beat

Ben Roethlisberger is going to have to stay healthy in order for this Steelers team to go all the way to the Super Bowl again. It's just that simple. (Wikimedia Images)

Well, there is really nowhere to go but down for the Super Bowl champs. But this team seems way too loaded to suffer an 8-8 post-Super Bowl season hangover as was the case in 2007.

You certainly can't say the Steelers didn't earn it last year. They had not only the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL in 2008 but also one of the toughest ever. But Pittsburgh got to beat up on the AFC North, winning all six regular-season games. That could well be the case again this year, although one would think Baltimore is due after three close losses last year (including AFC title game). And this year, the Steelers should pound on everyone in the weak AFC West outside of San Diego. So that's potentially nine wins right there and probably eight for sure.

The defense that was totally dominant last year brings back nine starters; the new guys are cornerback William Gay, who split time with departed Bryant McFadden last season, and linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the team's No. 1 pick in 2007. That Pittsburgh defense ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL, No. 2 against the run, No. 1 against the pass and No. 1 in points allowed. That's good.

Assuming the 1-2 sack punch of James Harrison (16) and LaMarr Woodley (11.5) weren't just one-year wonders, this year's defense should be about as good.

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The offense could actually be better this year. Everyone is back, and that offensive line that began last season with four players at new positions should be completely in sync now.  Plus remember that rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall is healthy now and ready to add a new dimension behind Willie Parker, who himself was hurt for a portion of last season; Mendenhall was finished for the season in his rookie year after Week 4. The rushing attack averaged just 105.6 yards per game in 2008, so that should rise.

Of course it all begins with Ben Roethlisberger, who is just entering his prime years. The only concern is he has been sacked a ton the past three years. And perhaps Santonio Holmes is ready to jump into the elite group of receivers following his Super Bowl performance. The team does have to replace valuable Nate Washington as the No. 3 receiver; Limas Sweed appears to have the inside track.

Here is the Steelers' 2009 schedule, and we'll break it downafter:
Sept. 10 vs. Tennessee Titans, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Chicago Bears, 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 vs. San Diego Chargers, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Week 8: Bye
Nov. 9 at Denver Broncos, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 6 vs. Oakland Raiders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Cleveland Browns, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.

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Strength of schedule: 29th (opponents combined to go 110-144-2, .434, in 2008)
Projected record: 12-4
Bodog over/under total: 10 1/2
Bodog odds to win AFC North: 5/11
Bodog odds to win AFC: 9/2
Bodog odds to win Super Bowl XLIV: 9/1 (second to Patriots)
Seriously, look this schedule and tell me in which games the

Steelers will be underdogs. Maybe at Chicago, at Baltimore and at Miami. And those are all iffy. Only five opponents made the playoffs a year ago.

As the Super Bowl champs, the Steelers get to kick off the season on Thursday night. Of course the Titans handed Pittsburgh one of its four regular-season losses last year, but that was in Nashville. No way coach Mike Tomlin allows his team to lose that home opener on national TV.

It would seem the toughest stretch of the schedule begins Nov. 29, with three tough road games and two home games against likely playoff contenders. I'm guessing Pittsburgh wishes its bye came after one of the matchups with Baltimore, as those two usually pound each other. Instead they play twice in five weeks late in the year.

No West Coast games this year for Pittsburgh, which only has to travel as far west as Denver. And because the Steelers are facing the NFC North, we will see some rare trips. Green Bay's trip to Pittsburgh will be the first for the Packers in the regular season since 1998. Pittsburgh visits Chicago for the first time in 14 years and Detroit for the first time in 11.

This team should be back in the AFC Championship Game at a minimum. And I believe that Pittsburgh's schedule is set up for the Steelers to get the AFC's No. 1 seed over the Patriots and Chargers. I won’t predict who wins a New England/San Diego-Pittsburgh AFC title tilt, but one of those matchups looks very likely.

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