Steelers schedule prediction: Projecting Pittsburgh’s closing six video games, together with a brutal stretch in December

Optimism was sky excessive in Pittsburgh following the Steelers’ 19-18 win over the Baltimore Ravens final Sunday. However that optimism has been considerably dampened following Thursday night time’s 24-19 loss to the Browns in snowy Cleveland, a loss that dropped the Steelers to 8-3 coming into their semi bye week. 

That loss has led to some questions concerning the Steelers’ legitimacy. Is Pittsburgh a real contender to return out of the AFC, or will this workforce be a part of the record of current Steelers groups to bow out quietly? The season’s closing six video games will assist reply that query. 

This is what we unequivocally know concerning the Steelers. That is Pittsburgh’s finest protection in at the least 5 years, a unit that may assist take the Steelers to the place they wish to go. The offense, led by Russell Wilson, can also be higher than it has been in recent times. However that facet of the ball nonetheless has appreciable room for enchancment in all areas, particularly within the crimson zone, the place the Steelers are presently thirtieth within the NFL. 

Particular groups has been a energy all yr, led by Chris Boswell, who has made 93.9% of his area purpose tries and every of his 21 point-after makes an attempt to this point. 

At this level, the Steelers ending with 11 or 12 wins could be very reasonable. If that occurs, Pittsburgh will lock up a playoff spot and can be in place to win the AFC North relying on what the Ravens (7-4) do from right here on out. An 11-6 or 12-5 file would additionally seemingly fetch the Steelers a No. 3 seed and a house recreation for the wild-card spherical. 

Now that we have set the desk, this is a rundown of every of Pittsburgh’s remaining six video games, together with a prediction on how every recreation may shake out. 

All recreation instances ET

Week 13: at Bengals (Sunday at 1 p.m.) 

Cincinnati’s season can be on the road on Sunday, however it’s been that approach seemingly all yr for the Bengals, who’re sitting at 4-7. Cincinnati’s offense has been prolific, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, however its protection has been anemic, particularly on third down and within the crimson zone. Search for the Steelers to attempt to shorten the sport with working backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren whereas conserving Burrow and Co. on the sideline. Defensively, the Steelers ought to be capable to put strain on Burrow, who has been sacked at the least thrice in seven video games. 

• Rating: Steelers 27, Bengals 24 
• Report: 9-3 

Week 14: vs. Browns (Sunday at 1 p.m.) 

I do not see lightning placing twice. The Browns confirmed Thursday that they will beat the Steelers, however Pittsburgh ought to be capable to deal with its enterprise this time round. Defensively, Pittsburgh will most likely focus extra on containing Jerry Jeudy, who made a number of bit catches throughout Thursday night time’s win. 

The Steelers may also attempt to apply extra strain on Jameis Winston, who wasn’t sacked in his first profession recreation in opposition to Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ offense discovered its rhythm within the fourth quarter Thursday night time, scoring touchdowns on consecutive drives. That bodes properly for the rematch. 

• Rating: Steelers 31, Browns 13
• Report: 10-3  

Week 15: at Eagles (Sunday at 4:25 p.m.)

We’ll maintain this brief and candy. Pittsburgh hasn’t gained in Philadelphia since 1965, and I see that persevering with past this recreation. The Steelers have been stomped, 35-13, the final time they performed in Philadelphia again in 2022. Jalen Hurts threw 4 touchdowns in that recreation that included three to A.J. Brown. Pittsburgh’s offensive line gave up six sacks and was a giant cause why the Steelers have been 1 of 12 that day on third down. This recreation needs to be extra aggressive, however a loss nonetheless for the black and gold.

• Rating: Eagles 27, Steelers 20
• Report: 10-4

Week 16: at Ravens (Saturday at 4:30 p.m.) 

A uncommon Saturday recreation that’s a part of a brutal three-game stretch that features three video games in an 11-day span. An analogous stretch was what killed the 2020 Steelers, who began 11-0 earlier than faltering to a 12-4 end. Happily for Pittsburgh, its 2024 workforce is presently a lot more healthy than the 2020 squad that did not have the depth to handle such a condensed schedule. 

The Steelers will clearly assist themselves if they’re able to beat Cleveland and Cincinnati earlier than this brutal three-game stretch. Regardless, the Steelers have to win at the least considered one of these three video games. Assuming they lose in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh might want to cut up its video games with Baltimore and Kansas Metropolis on Christmas Day. 

Pittsburgh is 4-1 in opposition to Lamar Jackson, who regardless of his immense expertise has struggled in opposition to the Steelers. However that has to finish in some unspecified time in the future, proper? I am predicting that it does on today. The Ravens received in their very own approach final Sunday in Pittsburgh, lacking two area objectives and committing two turnovers that led to 6 factors for the Steelers. Baltimore can actually beat Pittsburgh this time round if it is ready to clear these issues up. 

• Rating: Ravens 24, Steelers 17 
• Report: 10-5 

Week 17: vs. Chiefs (Wednesday at 1 p.m.) 

As talked about above, this recreation can be performed on Christmas Day. Pittsburgh prevailed in its solely different Christmas Day dwelling recreation, an exciting win over Baltimore again in 2016 that was selected Antonio Brown’s “Immaculate Extension” within the recreation’s closing seconds. 

Kansas Metropolis presently boasts a 9-1 file. The Steelers are 0-3 lifetime in opposition to Patrick Mahomes that features a blowout loss to the Chiefs within the 2021 wild-card spherical that was additionally Ben Roethlisberger’s closing recreation. 

Wilson, nonetheless, swept Mahomes and Co. final yr as a member of the Broncos. That actually counts for one thing, together with the truth that this Steelers’ protection is vastly higher than those that Mahomes confronted up to now matchups with Pittsburgh. This can be a recreation the place Pittsburgh’s predominant offseason acquisitions (particularly security DeShon Elliott and linebacker Patrick Queen) may make their presence felt in a giant approach. 

Rating: Steelers 20, Chiefs 19 
Report: 11-5 

Week 18: vs. Bengals (Sunday at 1 p.m.) 

This recreation will largely come all the way down to the place the Steelers are when it comes to playoff positioning. If the division title is on the road, the Steelers will deal with this as they might another recreation. They most likely will not, nonetheless, if issues have largely already been decided so far as the playoffs are involved. What occurs in Baltimore in Week 16 could have a huge impact on what occurs on this recreation. 

Both approach, the Steelers seemingly at all times play properly at dwelling of their season finale. The climate can also play an element, because the January chilly could affect the passing video games of each groups. Unhealthy climate would favor the Steelers, who’ve one of many league’s finest working again duos in Harris and Warren. 

• Rating: Steelers 19, Bengals 16 
• Report: 12-5