The 2012 Steelers have sky high expectations after an up and down 2011 that ended with Pittsburgh being humbly eliminated by the Denver in the playoffs. AFC North odds have the Steelers (+120) as very slim favorites over their arch rival Baltimore (+130) on the moneyline. Both teams finished 12-4 a year ago but the Ravens bested Pittsburgh twice. QB Ben Roethlisberger will have a new coordinator after the offense finished 21st a year ago with Tom Haley the man hired to fix the problem. NFL predictions experts are on the fence as to which aging team is better in the NFC North so our NFL picks staff took a closer look to see if the Steelers are in line for a Super Bowl run. The 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Odds are at 16-1 moneyline ($1000 to win $16,000).

NFL Predictions Analysis: Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Haley do not see eye to eye and that could be a problem. While both men are professionals, they both appear to have egos which is not what Steelers football is about. Roethlisberger could also have a dilemma on his hands with his vertical threat WR Mike Wallace in a contract dispute with the organization. The O-line gets Roethlisberger hammered on a regular basis and despite some off-season moves to help that sore spot this offense will have a hard time improving on last year’s numbers.

The defense is a well-oiled aging machine that thumps. The pass-rush is always rabid under brilliant coordinator Dick LeBeau who also knows how to use his chess pieces to stop the run. The D-line could be affected by the loss of Pro-Bowl DE Aaron Smith but the back seven is as good as they come led by legendary safety Troy Polamalu. Special teams have a gamebreaker in returner Antonio Brown but they have a question mark at punter.

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Getting the Steelers at 16-1 Super Bowl odds is not a bad deal but it probably will not be a winning ticket. Despite having core players from the 2005 Super Bowl squad this team might not be able to score enough in today’s NFL. The NFC North is also a tough place to play with The Bengals closing the gap on Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Still, this is a team capable of running the table and not making a $50 NFL picks wager now would be a mistake

NFL Predictions Forecast: 9-7

NFL Picks Play: 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl ($50 to win $800)

Brad Marchetti

Brad "Einstein" Marchetti is a sports media member that has won various Sports Handicapping contests online. Marchetti is regarded as one of the sharpest Football and Fight Handicappers in the country.