The Pittsburgh Steelers have got to be licking their proverbial chops right about now as one of the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL, going against one of the worst offensive lines in the league (Chicago Bears.) Especially superstar edge rusher TJ Watt, who has already amassed 8.5 sacks this season in limited action.
This will be the biggest storyline of the game, and it should also be what sets the tempo for what kind of game we will have. Aside from the sacks that Watt will get, we have some views on the Pittsburgh offense and three more predictions for the game…enjoy!
For more insight on the Steelers' Week 9 matchup against the Bears, listen below:
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 9 Predictions
4. The Steelers will sack Fields at least four times.
If the Bears can protect rookie quarterback Justin Fields, he has shown signs of improvement with his receivers to the point where if he isn't pressured he can give the Steelers a run for their money. If not, and that is the prediction here, and he will need to keep the game close with his legs. The Steelers have a top-10 sack percentage in the NFL and, as said earlier, they might have the best edge rusher in the league in Watt. Look for the Steelers to bring Fields down at least once a quarter, setting the team behind in down and distance way more times than the struggling offense can afford.
Article Continues Below3. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool will BOTH get 100 yards and a TD.
With the Chicago secondary struggling recently, especially safety Eddie Jackson, the Steelers will want to take advantage and send their guys deep as much as they can. They have two of the best deep-ball threats in the league with Claypool and Johnson and they need to take advantage of that. Johnson has been a star this season, but Claypool seems mired in a second-year slump. His numbers have been getting better in the past few weeks so maybe he will start to truly come on as a force to be reckoned with.
2. Najee Harris will go over 80 yards rushing
In the Steelers' wins, Harris is averaging 86 rushing yards per game. In the Steelers' losses, he is averaging 45. That sticks out like a sore thumb as a reason to get Harris involved early and often. The Steelers are a well-coached team that knows exactly what they are good at and what the other team is not good at. The Bears are giving up 4.5 yards per carry, good for ninth-worst in the NFL. Harris has had great games already in his short career on the ground AND through the air. Look for this one to be a domination of the ground variety.
1. The Steelers will win, but will not cover the seven-point spread.
This game should be able to stay closer than seven points, even though the Bears have a lot going against them. Rookie quarterbacks with bad offensive lines against veteran pass-rushing teams on national TV games is usually a recipe for a blowout. However, the Steelers are yet to truly blow out anyone so far and the Bears just got embarrassed two weeks ago but Tampa Bay. This is their chance to avenge that loss in the eyes of the public and they will take advantage. Not to a win, necessarily, were still predicting the Steelers to win, just by a close margin that the seven-point spread.