Roethlisberger should be difference in shootout against Redskins
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There aren’t many opponents who can match the Steelers weapon for weapon but the Washington Redskins might be one of them.
In tight end Jordan Reed and wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, the Redskins have a three players who have had either a 1,000-yard receiving season or 75 receptions.
The Steelers had that with Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Heath Miller, but only the former will play Monday night against the Redskins as Bell is suspended for the first three games of the season and Miller is retired.
But there aren’t many opponents that can match what the Steelers have at quarterback with Ben Roethlisberger.
Washington thinks it has found its man in Kirk Cousins. And he’s coming off an outstanding 2015 season, one in which he threw for 4,100 yards and 29 touchdown passes. And he was better at home, where he threw 16 touchdowns against two interceptions and had a passer rating of 117.0, leading the Redskins to a 6-2 record.
But the Redskins didn’t exactly play a challenging home schedule as they didn’t face a single playoff team at FedEx Field.
Washington faced only two playoff teams – Carolina and New England – in 2015. And it lost both games convincingly.
The Steelers were a playoff team last season. And they have a quarterback in Roethlisberger who is capable of getting the job done.
Despite not having Bell, Miller and suspended wide receiver Martavis Bryant, Roethlisberger still has plenty to work with in Brown – the best receiver in football – Markus Wheaton, Sammie Coates, Eli Rogers and DeAngelo Williams. Wheaton is expected to miss this game with a shoulder injury.
Some of those guys might not be the household names like the guys the Redskins will line up with, but they very well could be before the end of the season.
Great quarterbacks make even average receivers better while Washington’s guys make an average quarterback look better.
The Steelers, who are four-point favorites, have the edge in the passing game and that’s is why why I’m picking the road team to win the game, though I think the Redskins will cover.
Take Pittsburgh, 30-27
The Dolphins think they’re improved but Seattle is tough to beat at home.
Take Seattle, 31-17
Dak Prescott looked good in the preseason and will be subbing for injured Tony Romo.
But the preseason and regular season are two different things.
Take the Giants, 23-17
No Brady. No Gronkowski. Left tackle Nate Solder also is out for New England. No chance.
Take Arizona, 24-13
The Chiefs are a good team. San Diego is not.
Take Kansas City, 23-13
The Jaguars are improved, but Green Bay might be the best team in the NFC.
Take Green Bay, 27-20
Tyrod Taylor leads Buffalo into Baltimore and beats his former team.
Take Buffalo, 24-20
Tampa Bay is improving but the Falcons should be ready.
Take Atlanta, 21-17
The Texans want to show they are one of the best teams in football.
Take Houston, 26-17
The Raiders will unleash their passing game against a pass defense that allowed Landry Jones to complete 19 of 22 passes in a preseason game.
Take Oakland, 34-27
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick once started for the Bengals. He beats them here.
Take the Jets, 24-20
The Vikings have some intrigue at quarterback. Their defense will carry this one.
Take Minnesota, 21-17
The Lions should have enough offense to keep this within reach.
Take Lions in a 24-21 loss
The newly located Rams head up the coast for their first win.
Take the Rams, 26-17
A pair of teams battling for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.
Take Cleveland, 17-14
Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.