Football questions at every level
The 2012 football season is full of questions, from the high school level to the collegiate realm and, yes, even to the beloved Steelers.
At the high school level, there are questions for both Jefferson-Morgan and Waynesburg Central as they have new coaches in Liam Ryan and Russ Moore.
For those programs and the other three county high schools, can any team make the postseason after no Greene County team made the playoffs in 2011?
At Waynesburg University, can the Yellow Jackets get that monkey off their back in rival Washington & Jefferson and take aim for a title in the President’s Athletic Conference?
Both Pittsburgh and Penn State have new coaches in Paul Chryst and Bill O’Brien and both coaches face several questions about their programs on and off the field.
At West Virginia University, how well will the Mountaineers do in the Big 12 and can they live up to the hype? They will face several new opponents this year and the question that no one is asking is, Can this team not only competes for a Big 12 title, but perhaps a BCS crown?
And then we have the Steelers, so many questions about the Black & Gold this year.
How will Todd Haley’s offense do? How good is the AFC North? Can Big Ben be an elite quarterback? Will the aging defense show any signs of a fallback? How long will Brett Keisel’s beard grow?
All important questions and, of course, I have no immediate answers for them. But what I like to do is go through the 2012 schedule and offer my predictions.
Week 1, at Denver Broncos — The opener is going to be tough and for some reason Mile High has not been too friendly for the Steelers. A lot of emotions in this game, but I give the slight edge to the Broncos because of their under-rated defense and some guy coming back named Peyton Manning. RESULT: LOSS.
Week 2, vs. New York Jets — I think the J-E-T-S will have a long and miserable season. It doesn’t matter who lines up under center, whether it be Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow or even Joe Namath. The Steelers will win in a tight, defensive battle at Heinz Field. RESULT: WIN.
Week 3, at Oakland Raiders — Usually I get uneasy when the Steelers fly out west, but I think the Black & Gold will rise to the occasion this time. The Raiders have a weak pass defense and will put the game in the hands of Carson Palmer, which is never a good thing. RESULT: WIN.
Week 5, vs. Philadelphia Eagles — After a Week Four bye, the Steelers will be rested and will stuff the birds from out east in a high-scoring affair. RESULT: WIN.
Week 6, at Tennessee Titans — I think in a minor upset the Titans take this one in a Thursday Night telecast. The short week will hurt the Steelers and the Titans will win this game late on a Nate Washington touchdown. RESULT: LOSS.
Week 7, at Cincinnati Bengals — Finally the Steelers will open their AFC North schedule and they’re going to leave Cincinnati with a victory. I think the Bengals and their two stars, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, are going to have a sophomore slump this year. RESULT: WIN.
Week 8, vs. Washington Redskins — Even though I think Robert Griffin III is going to be a beast this year and take Rookie of the Year honors, the Steelers will contain him and easily win. RESULT: WIN.
Week 9, at New York Giants — Some are predicting a down year for the defending champs, but that will not be the case. The G-Men are just a bad match-up for the Steelers in a lot of areas and I think the Giants will win at home. RESULT: LOSS.
Week 10, vs. Kansas City — This is the first and only Monday Night Football game for the Steelers and that is a good thing because we only have to listen to Jon Gruden once. The Steelers win this one easily. RESULT: WIN.
Week 11, vs. Baltimore Ravens — This is by far the best rivalry in the NFL because both teams hate each other so much. I always believe the Steelers are a better team because Joe Flacco is a fluke and the Ravens’ defense is over-rated. Pittsburgh must contain Ray Rice, but they will win at home. RESULT: WIN.
Week 12, at Cleveland Browns — Come on, it’s Cleveland! RESULT: WIN
Week 13, at Baltimore Ravens — Even though I hate to say this, the Ravens will win in another classic slugfest and will even the season series. RESULT: LOSS.
Week 14, vs. San Diego Chargers — You never know which San Diego team is going to show up on Sundays, but I will take my chances with the Steelers in another high-scoring game. RESULT: WIN.
Week 15, at Dallas Cowboys — It’s 50-50 in this game, I think the Steelers are a better team, but I think they are due to lose to the Cowboys in their spaceship they call a football stadium. RESULT: LOSS.
Week 16, vs. Cincinnati Bengals — After losing to the Cowboys in Week 15, the Steelers will come out on all cylinders against their division foe and will take care of the Bungals. RESULT: WIN.
Week 17, vs. Cleveland Browns — Once again, it’s Cleveland! RESULT: WIN.
Well there you have it, the breakdown of the season and, if you were counting, the Steelers will be a pretty decent 11-5 and will win the AFC North.
Now how well will the Steelers do in the postseason?
Well, I will answer that question in a couple of months.
Adam Brewer covers sports for the Greene County Messenger.