Win Totals Project Steelers Downturn in 2024

Despite a big changeover at the quarterback position, an upgrade at offensive coordinator, and a couple of big moves on the defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers are currently projected to be worse in 2024 than they were last season, according to betting odds posted this month by Fanatics Sportsbook.

The Steelers have an over/under win total of 8.5 for the 2024 season. The Steelers have failed to win nine games just once in the last 10 seasons, going 8-8 in 2019.

Last year, the Steelers rode a three-game winning streak at the end of the season to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth. The club won nine games in both 2022 and 2021.

Since that hot finish to the regular season and a season-ending playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers have made serious moves to upgrade their club for 2023, most dramatically at the quarterback position, where the Steelers signed former Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos starter Russell Wilson and traded for ex-Chicago Bears first round pick Justin Fields.

Wilson and Fields will compete to play in a new offense run by former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, a scheme that was one of the best in the NFL when he was the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.

On defense, the Steelers added new starters at cornerback, strong safety and inside linebacker through free agency and a trade.

So why are the oddsmakers skeptical about the Steelers? Part of it likely stems from the difficult road that lies ahead for the Black and Gold in 2024. According to the accumulation of their Vegas win totals, the Steelers have the most difficult schedule in the NFL in 2024.

The Steelers will face five playoff teams from last year in the Chiefs, Ravens, Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Every team in the AFC North last year had a winning, record so that explains why the top three teams with the toughest strength of schedule are from said division.

In regards to projected win totals, the Steelers will face five teams in 2024 that are forecasted to win 10.5 games or more — Chiefs (11.5), Ravens (11.5), Bengals (10.5), Eagles (10.5) and Cowboys (10.5). The New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons projections are both set at 9.5. The Denver Broncos have the lowest win total (5.5) on the Pittsburgh schedule.

The Steelers also have some significant team-building work to do in the coming days, with big holes remaining at center, wide receiver, tackle, slot cornerback, defensive tackle and linebacker entering the 2024 NFL Draft this week. A strong week by general manager Omar Khan could certainly move the needle in the betting world.

Think the Steelers are likely to continue their 20-year streak of not having a losing season? Fanatics Sportsbook will have great promos heading into this year’s NFL season if you’re looking to get in on the action.

The Steelers have been doing well compared to their preseason win total in recent years. They have gone over their preseason total in each of the last four seasons.