The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves on a three-game winning streak after a crucial divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. What once had Steelers fans everywhere thinking top 10 draft pick, now has them excited about what is to come. The defense is the best in the NFL and no one can change my mind. Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt are monsters and Keith Butler's unit will constantly be keeping this team in games. The offensive line is improving week by week and Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson are turning into stars before our eyes. While I am not booking my ticket to the Super Bowl any time soon, the last four weeks have truly changed the complexion of the season. Let's take a look at what to buy and sell heading into Week 9.
1.) T.J. Watt is the Front Runner for Defensive Player of the Year
While sportsbooks may not have him as the odds on favorite heading into the weekend, Watt outperformed Myles Garrett on Sunday and Trevon Diggs finally went a game without intercepting a pass for the Dallas Cowboys. With 27 tackles, 15 QB hits, eight and a half sacks, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, he is certainly who I would vote for Defensive Player of the Year through eight weeks. Watt gets better every week and that is extremely scary for all offenses who come across the Steelers defense. It will be a lot of fun to watch Watt terrorize rookie quarterback, Justin Fields on Monday night in Pittsburgh. Watt is the best defensive player in football right now.
Analysis: Buy
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2.) Ben Roethlisberger Still Has Some Left in the Tank
This is quite a controversial topic. Roethlisberger looks like he is struggling at times to throw the ball down field, but has looked much better since the Steelers began committing to run the football. He is 66-99 for 748 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions on the current three-game winning streak. If you covered up Roethlisberger's name and asked a football fan if that would be acceptable through a three-game stretch for their team's quarterback, the answer would be, overwhelmingly: yes. He is 39 years old and has had his body thrown around in the NFL for 18 years. I don't expect him to move or throw like he used to. With that said, he has done enough to help the Steelers win recently. That tells me, while this is most likely his last season, he has enough in him for one more potential run.
Analysis: Buy
3.) The Steelers Will Win More Than 10 Games
I had the Steelers pegged at 11-6 before the season began. I am not quite sure that number is attainable with the schedule remaining. The key to making the playoffs will be as simple as not losing games that they shouldn't lose. The game against the Tennessee Titans looks like it just got a bit easier if Derrick Henry is indeed out for the regular season. But, with four divisional games still left to play along with road games at the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings, 10-7 seems like the most realistic playoff outcome for the Steelers. Playoff hopes could very well come down to the final game of the season at the Baltimore Ravens.
Analysis: Sell
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4.) Melvin Ingram Will be Traded Prior to Trade Deadline
Ingram has expressed displeasure with the Steelers and his lack of involvement in the defense. He didn't travel with the team to Cleveland and I don't think he will be traveling with the team again. Ingram is on a one-year deal and frankly, as valuable as his depth is, being able to land a late round draft pick would be a huge win for a rental player in Ingram. The Steelers need draft capital for 2022 and this is a very easy way to get back the 5th round pick they traded for Avery Williamson or the 6th rounder they sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Joe Schobert. Taco Charlton will need to step up and provide depth if Ingram does indeed get shipped out of Pittsburgh. The defense has been playing phenomenal and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. He only played 26% of snaps against the Seattle Seahawks and 0% in what was one of the best defensive performances of the season against the Browns on Sunday.
Analysis: Buy
5.) Mike Tomlin will leave the Pittsburgh Steelers to Coach at the Collegiate Level
...No
Analysis: SELL
What are you buying and selling through the first eight weeks of the regular season? Let us know in the comments below!
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