Better Bounce Back Season in 2013?

The video bellow is of a show I produced at my job last week. Every once in a while I get to produce a show on a topic I am passionate about. For this show we argued over which NFL team would have the better bounce back season in 2013, the NY Giants or the Pittsburgh Steelers. You can watch the cutdown version of the show here or go to FanSportsLive.com to watch the full version.

It's no secret, I'm a Giants fan. But i'm going to disagree with the jury here and say the Steelers have a better shot at a bounce back season. I think both teams are talented. Call me crazy, but I think both teams can compete for a Super Bowl this season. But the Giants play in the NFC, which is far more competitive on paper than the AFC. Look at their division alone. The Redskins are a formidable team that won the NFC East last season. The Cowboys are full of talent, despite their ineptitude at the coaching position, and don't sleep on the Eagles, who I think will be vastly improved and could win between 6-8 games this season. The teams in the NFC East are probably separated at the end of the season by a game or two.

Meanwhile, the road to a division title is probably easier for the Steelers. Their main competition, the Ravens, took a hit offensively over the weekend losing Dennis Pitta to injury. I think they will still be a competitive team but miss out on the playoffs in the AFC. Last month I wrote a post about the Cincinnati Bengals and how they are primed to win this season. They are a threat to the Steelers. The Browns are a young team that is getting better but are nowhere near competing with the big boys.

Despite their age, I believe the Steelers have the best Quarterback and coach in the division; two components to a winning team. The last time the Steelers missed the playoffs was in 2009. The following two seasons they went 12-4. They have never had a losing season under coach Mike Tomlin.  Their defense is still a top 10 defense in the league. Plus on the schedule they play the AFC East within their conference. They are better than 3 of the 4 teams in that division. I don't think enough people are talking about the Steelers and they will feel foolish come November.