Read this and tell me why anyone WOULDN'T pick PIT

MJ in Calif said
Now, with respect to the media predictions, I don;t think it's as much the Pitt game as it is with respect to the entire season. Many of these pundits predicted the Saints would win, what, 3-6 games this season total? Many of these psuedo-prognosticators never gave them a prayer, and even after 6-2 they're still saying negative things, and that's fine. But what do you expect to find when you're on a Saints forum with respect to what appears to be a bunch of blowhards who just love to hear themselves talk. And if the Saints win Sunday, what then? Well, then Pitt will be categorized as another "easy" opponent because of their record and the fact that all of these minions picked them to beat the Saints will be conveniently forgotten. What a puch of pukes!

I think you're really off base here.

Maybe the Steelers aren't as good as people think. But most folks agree a big part of their problems are the play of Roethlisberger (sp?), a QB that was playing great last year. He's a wild card--it's not like he's an Aaron Brooks, who has a long predictable history of question marks behind him. Everyone, including myself, thinks Ben will revert to his old form either sometime this season, or next season. It's a question of when. That will make them a formidable team immediately. Will this week be the week things come back together for him?

In the end, the Steelers are talented team, playing at home, with their backs against the wall. That counts for a lot. Remember that most experts had the Saints picked to beat Atlanta at home this year, though everyone felt the Falcons were a vastly superior team. There is a similarity between the two games.

By comparison, should the Saints lose, I don't think it would sully the Saints reputation.

And as was pointed out above, I think a quick start by the Saints could cause a Steeler implosion, precisely because it's an emotional game for them.

I understand why so many people are picking the Steelers. It's not a big deal.