We’ll continue a series of opponent preview posts for the New Orleans Saints opponents in 2018. Our last preview of the series is the last of our AFC opponents: the Pittsburgh Steelers. Our friends over at Behind the Steel Curtain took some time to give us Saints fans the scoop on the home of the Killer Bees.Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsWeek 16: vs the Pittsburgh SteelersNotable free agent additions:ILB Jon Bostic / S Morgan BurnettOver/Under:10.5 wins OVER -- The Steelers play in an improving Womens Vonn Bell Jersey , but far from accomplished AFC North. Combine that with still one of the most talented offensive rosters in all of football, the Steelers should at least be able to cover 11 wins in the 2018 regular season.Most exciting rookie:The rookie I am most excited about, and also because I feel he will have the biggest impact when it comes to playing time, is second round pick out of Oklahoma State, WR James Washington. Washington was one of the premiere deep threat receivers in college football while at Oklahoma State, and this will be the same role the Steelers ask him to fill with Martavis Bryant gone. Washington could round out a terrific receiving corps with Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.Position battle to keep an eye on:This is debatable, but I am excited about how the team deploys their safeties this season. Sean Davis is the only safety returning from last year, and with the addition of Morgan Burnett in free agency and Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen in the NFL Draft -- things could get interesting. I fully expect Burnett and Davis to be side-by-side when Week 1 rolls around, but I foresee roles for both Edmunds and Allen within the defense. Biggest storyline heading into training camp:Major media outlets will say Le’Veon Bell’s likely absence, but the development and maturation of rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph is what I will have my eye on. Ben Roethlisberger is supplanted as the franchise quarterback until he hangs it up, but Rudolph has impressed every coach, trainer and player since he walked into the Pittsburgh International Airport. Will Rudolph show he is the future? Or will he be nothing more than a competent backup? Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp:James Conner’s development will be a storyline to keep tabs on, while it won’t be drawing huge headlines. Bell won’t be in camp Authentic Alex Okafor Jersey , as expected when he didn’t get a good enough contract offer, and Conner is coming off a very lukewarm rookie season. During his rookie year Conner was injured during training camp and ended early with a knee injury. He is back with a healthy knee, a year of experience and the knowledge of what it takes to be an NFL running back. He will have a golden opportunity to prove he could be the next ‘guy’ for the Steelers in the backfield when Bell departs after 2018.Notable injuries heading into training camp:None...Knock on wood.***The Saints have a tough matchup with the Steelers sandwiched between their two games against the rival Carolina Panthers. It’s likely this game will have major playoff implications in Week 16.So what says you, you unbiased Saints fans? Can the Saints win an important game on the way to closing out the season? Vote in the poll. Explain in the comments. And make sure you also check out DraftDividends.com, a website for a new book I’m writing currently titled Draft Picks and Dividends: A Fantasy Football Player’s Guide to Understanding the Stock Market. NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13)New faces: Coach Pat Shurmur, GM Dave Gettleman, RB Saquon Barkley, T Nate Solder, LB Alec Ogletree, LB Kareem Martin, G Will Hernandez, G Patrick Omameh, DL B.J. Hill Womens Max Unger Jersey , P Riley Dixon, LB Connor Barwin, DL Josh Mauro, S Curtis Riley, S Michael Thomas, WR Cody Latimer, WR Russell Shepard, LB Lorenzo Carter, QB Kyle Lauletta, RB Jonathan Stewart, DT A.J. Francis.Key losses: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, WR Brandon Marshall, LB Jonathan Casillas Authentic DeMario Davis Jersey , LB Devon Kennard, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, G Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, RB Shane Vereen, P Brad Wing, coach Ben McAdoo, GM Jerry Reese.Strengths: Shurmur's Vikings offense put up 382 points last season with QB Case Keenum. He should produce as well with two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, TE Evan Engram and Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in draft, at halfback. That's plenty of skill for team that scored 246 points last season. Coordinator James Bettcher's 3-4 defense has talent with DL/LB Olivier Vernon, DT Snacks Harrison Authentic Drew Brees Jersey , S Landon Collins and CB Janoris Jenkins.Weaknesses: For second straight year, offensive line is major concern. Despite spending roughly $84 million to sign tackle Nate Solder and guard Patrick Omameh and draft guard Will Hernandez, line has struggled in preseason. Pass blocking has been adequate, but run game has been nonexistent. Defensively, free safety is unsettled. Third-year pro Curtis Riley is front-runner. There is little depth in secondary. Placekicker Aldrick Rosas can't afford to be inconsistent again.Fantasy Players To Watch: Beckham. After missing most of last season with broken ankle, Beckham wants to show everyone he deserves to be NFL's highest-paid receiver. 25-year-old should post big numbers in Shurmur's new offense. He had 25 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns in four games before being hurt Oct. 8. Dozen touchdowns and 1,400 yards receiving are doable. Engram and Shepard have looked very good in training camp.Vegas Says: Super Bowl 40-1. Over/under wins 7.5.Expectations: Super Bowl was wild expectation after Giants made playoffs 2016 under McAdoo, then first-year coach. Everything went wrong last season and McAdoo and Reese lost jobs in December. Teams tend to improve under new coaches and Giants have talent to make some noise. Getting back to playoffs would be good season in tough division that includes Super Bowl champion Eagles.
