Advanced model updates Steelers' projected win total

Despite losing starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second game of the season and ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring offense (27th) and total offense (30th), the Pittsburgh Steelers still remained competitive thanks to a top-five defense. However, 8-8 meant no playoffs in 2019 for one of the NFL's proudest franchises and with Roethlisberger returning in 2020 the Steelers are hoping to get back into contention in the AFC North.

In free agency, the Steelers were relatively quiet but they did manage to add a couple versatile offensive options by signing tight end Eric Ebron and fullback Derek Watt. Unfortunately, they did lose Javon Hargrave, Tyler Matakevich, Sean Davis and Artie Burns defensively and with just six picks at the 2020 NFL Draft, the Steelers will hope to have some younger players step in to fill key reserve roles on defense.

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With no first round pick after trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick during the 2019 season, the Steelers first went on the clock on Day Two and added yet another weapon for Roethlisberger by selecting Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound wideout should give the Steelers a pretty strong, young receiving corps with Claypool, Juju Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson.

Pittsburgh also added Maryland running back Anthony McFarland Jr. for needed speed in the backfield and found some offensive line depth with Louisiana-Lafayette guard Kevin Dotson. Defensively, they added depth with UNC-Charlotte edge Alex Highsmith, Maryland safety Antoine Brooks Jr. and Nebraska defensive lineman Carlos Davis.

Ultimately, better overall health should give the Steelers a solid defense and a capable unit offensively. But with the Ravens coming off a fantastic season and Lamar Jackson establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous offensive weapon, will Roethlisberger's return and a relatively light offseason be enough to catapult the Steelers back into the fray?

The SportsLine Projection Model predicts that the Steelers win an average of  9.0 games in the computer's 10,000 simulations of the 2020 NFL season, up from 8.9 projected wins prior to the 2020 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh wins the division 14.4 percent of the time and makes the playoffs 64.6 percent of the time. The Steelers are also currently 25-1 to win Super Bowl 55 according to William Hill, which is tied for 12th-best odds in the NFL.