Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

With the NFL Football season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 32 teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best NFL Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the NFL in our recommened sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2009 NFL Season Previews here.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 NFL Record: 12-4 | Pittsburgh Steelers ATS (Against The Spread): 9-7

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the reigning Super Bowl Champions, after defeating the Arizona Cardinals in February. They arguably slipped under the radar for most of the year, despite their strong record and their consistent play. The defense was absolutely dominating, even by Steelers standards. The team ranked first in points allowed, pass yards allowed and total yards allowed. They fell off a bit to rank second against the rush. The blitz was intense and swarming, led by Troy Polamalu and Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. LaMarr Woodley, Ike Taylor and James Farrior all also had excellent seasons. The offense was never statistically great but the team got the job done and put points on the board when they needed to. Willie Parkre missed a good deal of the year and was never at 100% and rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall was injured early in the season by the punishing Ravens defense. Journeyman running back Mewelde Moore filled in capably and allowed the team to maintain a somewhat balanced attack. Hines Ward had another great year, as a leader, a pass catcher and a blocker and wide receiver Santonio Holmes had a breakout season that of course culminated with his big plays in the Super Bowl. Tight end Heath Miller also quietly had another very strong campaign.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2009 PREVIEW

It’s hard to come up with a 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview when it can’t get any sweeter than last year, for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Your Steelers took home the Super Bowl XLIII crown by defeating the Arizona Caridnals, by a score of 27-23, in dramatic fashion. When the Steelers had to have it, the marched down the field, and Rothlisberger found Santonio Holmes on the edges of the end zone, which effectively sealed the win. That Super Bowl victory put the Steelers atop the mountain of repeat Super Bowl winners, with 6 NFL Championships. Fans in Pittsburgh have dubbed it “One For The Thumb.” If last year is any indication of this year, the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers should once again have a very strong defense, and an efficient offense. Mike Tomlin returns to the Steelers, after winning the Super Bowl, for his 3rd year as head coach. The Steelers have retained all of their coaches, including Bruce Arians, offensive coordinator, and Dick LeBeau, mastermind of the defense A.K.A. defensive coordinator. This is a good thing, as most Super Bowl winning teams usually have coaching turnover.

2009 PITTSBURGH STEELERS OFFENSE:

Ben Roethlisberger didn’t have a great statistical year in 2008, however he made clutch plays and showed leadership when it mattered most. He’ll be relieved to have a healthy cast of running backs behind him, to take the pressure off of his 1-2 receiving punch of Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Heath Miller is as reliable a target as there is in the league and the only problem is keeping Roethlisberger on his feet without getting too banged up. The healthy running backs should help that proposition by keeping defenses less primed to pin their ears back and blitz.

2009 PITTSBURGH STEELERS DEFENSE:

What do you give the number 1 defense in the league for an off season present? How about a Super Bowl hero and the 2008 Defensive Player of the year secured to be with the team for the foreseeable future. That’s what the Steelers did in resigning James Harrison to a large new contract. Of course, Pro Bowl caliber players line the unit, none more important than Troy Polamalu. With their ball hawking and play making, as well as their ability to stuff the run and blitz the quarterback, there’s no reason that this defense shouldn’t be dominant once again.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2009 SEASON PREDICTIONS

We predict that the Pittsburgh Steelers will finish 1st in the AFC North, with a record of 13-3.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING

Super Bowl Odds: +1000

AFC Conference Odds: +500

AFC North Odds: -250

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