Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass during practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.  Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP
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Bet the NFL: Jared Hackmyer picks the Monday night doubleheader – Steelers vs Giants and Titans vs Broncos

The first kick-off is in the Meadowlands at 7:10 pm EDT, featuring the return of Big Ben and the debut of new Giant head coach Joe Judge.

Jared Hackmyer

Steelers (-5.5) GIANTS (45.5)

Jared’s Pick: Steelers

Breakout Player: WR Juju Smith-Schuster

If QB Ben Roethlisberger can be the same quarterback he was before his injury, I see the Pittsburgh Steelers as one of the most improved teams of 2020. Roethlisberger now has TE Erib Ebron and WR Chase Claypool to add to his list of targets. Pittsburgh also has one of the best offensive lines in the league. In 2019, trading for S Minkah Fitzpatrick was one of the team's best decisions in years. Fitzpatrick is now a top 5 safety in a defense with Joe Haden, Devin Bush, TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, Bud Dupree, Terell Edmounds, and much more. I have Pittsburgh’s defense as the league’s best, and if their offense can get going early this season, I don’t see many teams stopping them.


Titans (-2.5) BRONCOS (42)

Jared’s Pick: Titans

Breakout Player: WR AJ Brown

The Titans shocked the league in 2019 by making it to the AFC championship. Not only did they make it to the AFC championship, but they beat the defensing Super Bowl champs, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the wild card round of the playoffs. QB Ryan Tannehill isn't the best at moving the ball down the field, but having stud RB Derrick Henry makes it all easier for Tannehill. Another player to watch on that offense is second year WR AJ Brown from Ole Miss. Brown recorded 1,051 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie season and was a huge help during their playoff run. The Titans did lose a ton of key players like OT Jack Conklin, RB Dion Lewis, CB Logan Ryan, and LB Wesley Woodyard. With key additions like LB Vic Beasley, OT Dennis Kelly, CB Jonathan Joseph, and DE Jadeveon Clowney, the Titans are looking as good as they did in 2019.

Jared Hackmyer is the founder of GOATNYG on Instagram.

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