The Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins will go head-to-head on Monday night. After reaching the postseason last year, both teams enter 2016 with high expectations.
Even though the Redskins are coming off an NFC East Title, they enter Sunday as home underdogs, according to OddsShark. The Steelers are favored by three points in the matchup.
The over-under is set at 49.5 points. The OddsShark computer projects the Redskins to be victorious 24.2-16. The computer is taking the points and the under on the point total.
Washington’s Kirk Cousins had a breakout season in 2015. After appearing in just 14 games in his first three years in the NFL, Cousins posted a 101.6 quarterback rating with 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He finished last year with 4,166 yards– the team record for passing years in a season. Although he rose to the occasion in his first full year as starter, Cousins enters the 2016 season with more to prove, especially with long-term contract uncertainty hanging over his head.
The problem for Washington last season was on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense finished No. 28 in yards allowed, and 25th against the pass. In one of the biggest moves of the offseason, the Redskins signed All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, which will certainly bolster their defense.
The biggest challenge for Norman and the Redskins will be slowing down star wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown finished 2015 with 136 receptions for 1,834 yards. Norman and the Panthers had a difficult time against Brown in 2014 as Brown caught all 10 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with Ben Roethlisberger sidelined in four games in 2015, the Steelers offense was ranked as the third in the NFL. Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first three games of 2016, but the Steelers’ ground game is still strong with the return of DeAngelo Williams. Williams rushed for 11 touchdowns and 907 yards on 200 carries last season.
Pittsburgh also focused on improving their defense by drafting a pair of cornerbacks in the first and second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
A high-scoring affair is anticipated Monday night between these two teams. However, keeping Pittsburgh out of the end zone will be a tough task. Expect the Steelers to establish the run game early, and come through with enough key stops on defense to start the season 1-0.
Heavy’s Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Washington Redskins 20. Pittsburgh -3.
