NFL betting players have no idea what kind of team the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be this season after what has been one of the most tumultuous offseasons in recent memory for any team outside of Cincinnati and Atlanta. They received some more bad news earlier this week.
Receiver Limas Sweed is out for the season after tearing the Achilles tendon in his left foot, and even though he had just one catch last season, he was being counted on to challenge for the No.2 spot alongside Hines Ward, as the Steelers got rid of Santonio Holmes due to off-field troubles. Not to mention, the Steelers won't have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the first six games of the season (possibly four games with good behavior) because of his various off-field issues. That means the Steelers will going with Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch under center, and that quarterback won't have much for receiving options outside of Ward, tight end Heath Miller or receiver Mike Williams. Sweed had been in and out of the lineup in his two years in Pittsburgh, but many people thought he would be ready to take the next step in his progression this year.
The Steelers are in big trouble and in real danger of missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a three-year stint between 1998-2000. The defense is going to have to play at the top of their game, but that may not even be enough to save the Steelers' odds when you're sports betting online.
