Ben Roethlisberger’s annual record prediction has become a bit of a tradition in Pittsburgh on his Footbahlin podcast. His official record prediction was 11-6 last year, and he has them one-upping that to 12-5 this year.
“I just think Aaron [Rodgers] is gonna thrive more in this offense that he knows,” Roethlisberger said of his main reason for predicting a better Steelers season. “I think the line will be a year better, knowing each other, playing together, adding some additions…I think the additions at skill positions will be huge.
Here are his game-by-game predictions and some limited analysis.
Week 1 – Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Prediction: Win (1-0)
Roethlisberger gave little to no analysis on this one, other than highlighting the quarterback uncertainty between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.
Week 2 – At New England Patriots
Prediction: Loss (1-1)
Again, not much analysis. He’s probably still scarred from all the losses he took at Gillette Stadium during his playing career.
Week 3 – Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: Win (2-1)
He’s banking on a high-scoring game here because, in his words, “their defense is so bad.”
Week 4 – At Cleveland Browns
Prediction: Win (3-1)
Did we even have to guess? I don’t think Roethlisberger will ever predict a Cleveland win over the Steelers.
Week 5 – Vs. Indianapolis Colts
Prediction: Win (4-1)
Roethlisberger is not a believer in Daniel Jones, calling his 2025 season a “flash in the pan.” Michael Pittman Jr. gets his revenge game.
Week 6 – At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prediction: Loss (4-2)
With a game in the swampy heat of Florida at noon in mid-October, Roethlisberger sees former Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith as the X-factor in this matchup.
“Someone’s gonna get bubble gum stuck in their shoe,” Roethlisberger joked about Danny Smith’s influence on the game.
Week 7 – At New Orleans Saints (France)
Prediction: Win (5-2)
Similar to the Browns, Roethlisberger views this as an easy win for the Steelers, but the international game in France made him think twice. He ultimately scored it as a win, but was uncertain at best.
Week 8 – Vs. Cleveland Browns
Prediction: Win (6-2)
“Two bye weeks,” Roethlisberger said
Week 10 – At Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: Loss (6-3)
He didn’t offer much analysis here, but late-season Joe Burrow is often better than early-season Joe Burrow if he stays healthy. A loss off of a bye is pretty notable.
Week 11 – At Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: Loss (6-4)
Philadelphia has been a house of horrors for the Steelers over the years. Roethlisberger had it down as a loss without so much as a second thought.
Week 12 – Vs. Denver Broncos
Prediction: Loss (6-5)
The early-season magic of a 6-2 start is quickly fading with Roethlisberger predicting a mid-season slump. He reluctantly had the Steelers losing this one, but admits he needs to revisit this one later in the season.
“It’s all gonna come down to quarterback play,” he said.
Week 13 – Vs. Houston Texans
Prediction: Win (7-5)
Busting the three-game losing streak against the team that ousted Pittsburgh in the playoffs is a bold prediction. Did Pittsburgh improve its offense enough to stand a chance?
“I don’t think they can handle the cold,” Roethlisberger said of the deciding factor in this game. He also likes the idea of revenge for Pittsburgh.
Week 14 – At Jacksonville Jaguars
Prediction: Win (8-5)
Pittsburgh’s most recent games in Jacksonville have gone well. Roethlisberger is banking on that happening again, but he wasn’t fully sold.
Week 15 – Vs. Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: Win (9-5)
It’s a new chapter in the rivalry with two new head coaches and a lot of change for both organizations. Roethlisberger thinks the Ravens are a team on the decline.
“I think they’re falling apart. I don’t think they’re the same team,” he said. “They feel like their window closed.”
Week 16 – Vs. Carolina Panthers
Prediction: Win (10-5)
They started to show some life with Bryce Young at the end of last year, but Roethlisberger didn’t put a ton of thought into this one. An easy win in his mind.
Week 17 – At Tennessee Titans
Prediction: Win (11-5)
“They haven’t shown me anything yet,” he said.
Week 18 – At Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: Win (12-5)
Ending the season on a six-game win streak, Roethlisberger has the Steelers entering the playoffs red-hot.
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