2011 NFL Predictions Week 5: After reaching the Super Bowl last season, the (2-2) Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t exactly helped their chances of getting back to the big game as we approach Week 5. After four weeks in the books, Mike Tomlin finds himself at the cellar of the AFC North, tied at 2-2 with Cincinnati and Cleveland.
After last week’s loss to the Texans, not only are the Steelers beginning to look old and tired, but their bodies also seem to be behaving that way. This week, as coach Tomlin read the list of injured players to the media, it became apparent that this team would have a very tough and long road back to representing the AFC in this season’s NFL Playoffs.
Among some of the names in Tomlin’s injured list were quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (foot) and defensive leader, James Harrison (broken orbital bone). While Big Ben is expected to play through his injury, the same cannot be said for Harrison. According to reports, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year will need surgery in order to repair a fractured (right) orbital bone.
Harrison’s injury happened in the third quarter of last week’s 10-17 loss to Houston. The Steelers’ defense couldn’t do anything against the defending the Texans ground attack, as they surrendered 155 rushing yards to Arian Foster on the ground, including the winning touchdown.
This week, the NFL Point Spreads favorite (2-2) Pittsburgh Steelers [-3½] will be tested on the ground once again, as one of the best backs in the league in Chris Johnson is coming to town along with the rest of the surging, (3-1) Tennessee Titans [+3½]. Johnson is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, as the Titans dismantled the Browns, 31-13 in Week 4.
“We have capable men who play who need to do a better job,” Tomlin said. “There’s a fine line between performing well and substandard. Some of the mistakes are mental, some of them are physical. They’re not centrally located in one person or position but when you add those things over the course of a football game you get 8-10 snaps where somebody is letting you down either mentally or physically and you have an opportunity to give up some big yards.”
My 2011 NFL Predictions Week 5 for the Titans vs Steelers: I like Johnson to keep his team within striking distance throughout the game. I’m not so sure that Pittsburgh can consistently neither shut the run down, nor protect Big Ben in this matchup. Thus, I like the Tennessee Titans to keep it close at +3½ or even come away with a huge road victory in Heinz Field! Get $50 in Free NFL Picks here!
