Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' result, along with sharing a few related thoughts.
For a full preview of the matchup with the Rams, check out my breakdown.
Chris Halicke (2-3): It's "put up for shut up time" for the Steelers. The bye week did wonders for this team last year. They found their biggest flaws, corrected them and came a breath away from clinching a playoff berth after a 2-6 start. This team is more than fortunate to be 3-2 heading into Sunday's game, but the issues -- especially on offense -- had this team rightfully take a similar approach during this bye week. The Rams present a serious challenge. Matthew Stafford's still got it. Who the heck can cover Cooper Kupp? How can this offensive line slow down Aaron Donald? But, the Steelers' outside zone scheme matches up well against the Rams' weakness on the edges. And, Mike Tomlin is 12-4 after the bye week since taking over as head coach in 2007. Steelers, 20-17
Corey Crisan (2-3): Getting Kupp back has transformed this surprising Rams team. For all the Steelers need to fix on their offense, their defense also has been lackluster through five games. This is a very, very hard one to predict, but the Rams have scored at least 23 points in four out of six games this season. The Steelers have done that just twice out of five games. Rams, 23-20
Matt Williamson (1-4): I think the Steelers win a very close game and there are about 40 total points scored. By that logic, I wanted to pick this game, 21-20, in the Steelers' favor. However, that would imply that they score three touchdowns, and I am just not there yet with this offense. So, let's go with this for a Steelers victory, even though I expect Stafford to light this secondary up. Steelers, 20-18
Ramon Foster (2-3): I do see this team winning. Look at the style of ball this team is playing. They're dragging people to the deep end, and they're diminishing their style of ball (except for Houston). We're looking at this team and think they suck. They're 3-2 on the season with a bye week in between. The team doesn't suck. San Francisco's done the exact same thing to everybody else, and you got the one off of what Houston has done. This team has put up points at fault. They've made teams play another style of ball, a dirty style of ball because people want to beat them bad. I'll give this defense one pick six, too. Steelers, 24-20
Let's have your predictions in the comments!