A bounceback year for Big Ben and the Steelers but the Rams may be set for a step back.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Last season: An injury to QB Ben Roethlisberger in Week 10 saw a promising season fall apart. Charlie Bacth, bless him, stepped in, and they even though they somehow managed to beat the Ravens in an incredible game in Week 13, they lost three of the next four to miss the playoffs. The Ravens, as we know, went all the way, and that will rankle in the Steel City.
This season: Big Ben is back and fully fit. Mike Wallace is gone but Antonio Brown is a class act in the receiving core. Every section of the team is sprinkled with quality (Heath Miller, Maurkice Pouncy, LaMarr Woodley) and most, importantly, they have added three new coaches Richard Mann (wide receivers), Jack Bicknell Jr. (offensive line) and Danny Smith (Special Teams). They should freshen up the play book and invigorate the veterans in the team.
Add in the fact that the Steelers are one of the most reliable teams in football, and in Mike Tomlin they have a class head coach. With an easier schedule than most this season, the Steelers should have a better year in 2013, and avenge the Ravens success.
Verdict: Even if the Ravens are off the pace the little, the Bengals and Browns have picked up and should be a sterner test. Still, the Steelers, if they can keep Ben upright, are well placed to win the AFC North. From there, they could get on a real run.
St Louis Rams
Last season: The arrival of Jeff Fisher as head coach last season saw the Rams improve from a two-win team in 2011 to a seven-win team in 2012. Sam Bradford has his best year under centre, with 21 TDs and just 13 interceptions, while Steven Jackson cranked out yet another 1,000 yard rushing season. No wide reciever stod out, but as a group they performed well and despite being in with the 49ers and the Seahawks, they went 2-1-1 against the west coast superpowers.
This season: There are reasons to be earful for the Rams this year. Steven Jackson is gone to Atlanta. Danny Amendola, a quality receiver when fit, is gone to the Pats, so a lot of pressure is on their first-round draft pick, Tavon Austin. The West Virginia star scored 49TDs receiving in 52 games, and he became a rushing threat last year too, averaging 8.9 yards per rush. If he brings that form to the NFL, and if Bradford and Fisher use him properly, he is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
Apart from Austin though, the Rams may be a little light in attack, especially in the running back department.
Defensively the Rams are smack bang in the middle of the ratings in terms of defending the rush and the pass, though that line will have a few new faces this year. Bringing in Jake Long from the Dolphins to the offensive line is a smart move, and should prevent Bradford getting sacked quite so much, allowing him to continue to improve. That's the idea anyway.
Verdict: Despite their very impressive record against their NFC West divisional rivals last season, we think that trick will be very hard to repeat again. They also have to play the Falcons, the Cowboys, the Texans, the Panthers and the Colts away this term.
That brutal calendar, plus the loss of some important vets, will cost them. Unless Bradford, Austin and Long have seasons right at the peak of their abilities we can't see the Rams pushing for a play-off spot. 6-10 looks about right.
