NFL Roundtable: Steelers are surging in AFC North

Each week we sit down with TwinSpires columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. Today they weigh in on the Saints' performance against the Bucs, the Lions' best shot at a victory, and the suddenly surging Steelers.

Halloween was a horror show for many NFL teams. What was the scariest thing you saw on the gridiron on Sunday?

Ashley: The Bucs’ all-around meltdown against New Orleans, who were led by backup Trevor Siemian for the majority of the game. Not only did Tom Brady turn the ball over three times (including an interception returned for a touchdown on his team’s second-to-last drive), but the league’s top-ranked rushing defense let the Saints run for 152 yards.

Penalties were the largest concern. The Bucs were called for 11 of them for 99 yards, and six of those penalties set up first downs for New Orleans. The reigning Super Bowl champions have committed the fourth most penalties per game in the league and now rank second to last in penalty yards per game (72.5). 

James: New Orleans’ defense was truly scary for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers' hopes of making back-to-back Super Bowl appearances will be in serious jeopardy if they have to face the Saints in the NFC playoffs. New Orleans’ highly-ranked defense imposes their will physically upon Tampa Bay like no other team in the NFL – they do not fear Tom Brady or his receivers – and Tampa Bay gets their best every time.

Scott: Jacksonville’s lifeless performance in Seattle was the scariest thing I saw on Sunday. The Jaguars played relatively well in London, besting the Dolphins before their bye week, and went off as just 4-point underdogs against a below average Seahawks squad. Apparently, the momentum built off their first win of the year was short lived. Jacksonville’s defense made Geno Smith look like Joe Montana, while their offense was unable to move the ball against a Seattle defensive unit that has struggled all season long. Urban Meyer is just not getting it done in the NFL. 

The Lions are 0-8 to begin the season. When can bettors expect Detroit to pick up its first win of the season?

Ashley: A Week 13 matchup against Minnesota should give Detroit a prime opportunity to score its first win. The Vikings needed a field goal as time expired to beat the Lions, 19-17, back in Week 5 and will face Detroit on the road in their second matchup this season. Minnesota just lost to Dallas, who was led by an inexperienced quarterback filling in for Dak Prescott. The Vikes let Cooper Rush throw for 325 and a pair of touchdown passes, while Minnesota’s offense struggled throughout the game. Nine of the Vikings’ 12 possessions lasted five plays or fewer, and Justin Jefferson was held to just 21 receiving yards. Minnesota has a number of issues to address and look weak enough to stumble against its winless NFC North counterpart. 

James: Detroit will have a realistic chance against Chicago at home on Thanksgiving. If they lose to Chicago, Detroit may need to beat Minnesota at home on Dec. 5 to avoid a winless season. Another possible win scenario exists for the season finale, against Green Bay at home, if the Packers are resting most of their starters because their playoff positioning is set. It’s easy to envision Detroit losing the other six remaining games.

Scott: Detroit lost at the buzzer to Baltimore and Minnesota and has played hard, but they have yet to earn a victory through eight weeks. Finding a win after they come off their bye week is not easy, but potentially they could outscore the Bears on Thanksgiving. If that is not the case, the best hope is besting the Broncos or Falcons on the road in December. Hopefully, the Lions can find at least one win for first-year head coach Dan Campbell.

The Steelers have won three straight games following a dismal 1-3 start. What’s behind Pittsburgh’s turnaround?

Ashley: Rookie running back Najee Harris continues to develop and has been a bright spot in Pittsburgh’s past three games. The defense, led by T.J. Watt, has also come up with big plays in crunch time. Victories against Denver and a Russell Wilson-less Seattle team were far from statement wins, but the stop unit showed up late to create turnovers, just as it did Sunday, when it forced a fumble by Jarvis Landry on Pittsburgh’s 21-yard line with nearly six minutes left in the regulation.

James: Bad competition. And with Chicago and Detroit up next, Pittsburgh may extend their winning streak to five before receiving a reality check. The last three opponents have been a mess offensively, allowing Pittsburgh’s elite defense to take advantage, but their pedestrian offense won’t get it done against better teams. The toughest part of the schedule lays ahead, eight straight difficult games to conclude the regular season, and I don’t like Pittsburgh’s playoff chances.

Scott: The Steelers have looked better over their last three games after starting the season 1-3, especially on defense, but more than anything it is the quality of competition that has led to the turnaround. They faced a difficult schedule over the first four weeks of the season (Bills, Raiders, Bengals, and Packers), but have had things much easier of late with their victories coming against the Broncos, Seahawks, and the banged-up Browns. They should continue to handle below average teams, but struggle with the good ones.