Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2015 schedule was released on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh’s schedule ranks among one of the toughest in the league. For most teams, the schedule is a formality. However, Pittsburgh star RB Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first three games of the season. Pittsburgh’s schedule is actually significant to its Super Bowl aspirations.
Week 1: Steelers at Patriots – Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 p.m.
Week 2: 49ers at Steelers – Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 3: Steelers at Rams – Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 4: Ravens at Steelers – Thursday, Oct. 01 at 8:25 p.m.
Week 5: Steelers at Chargers – Monday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 p.m.
Week 6: Cardinals at Steelers – Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 7: Steelers at Chiefs – Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 8: Bengals at Steelers – Sunday, Nov. 01 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 9: Raiders at Steelers – Sunday, Nov. 08 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 10: Browns at Steelers – Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Steelers at Seahawks – Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:25 p.m.
Week 13: Colts at Steelers – Sunday, Dec. 06 at 8:30 p.m.
Week 14: Steelers at Bengals – Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1:00 p.m.
Week 15: Broncos at Steelers – Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4:25 p.m.
Week 16: Steelers at Ravens – Sunday, Dec. 27 at 8:30 p.m.
Week 17: Steelers at Browns – Sunday, Jan. 03 at 1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh’s schedule not only features both of the teams that played in Super Bowl XLIX, but also features five more playoff teams. In total, Pittsburgh’s schedule has seven of the 12 playoff teams from a year ago (actually, only 11 playoff teams unless you believe in some form of existential football where Pittsburgh could play themselves).
Pittsburgh should still contend for a playoff spot despite Bell’s suspension, retirements on the defensive side of the ball, and the possible Antonio Brown contract problem. Expect Pittsburgh to finish between the 7-10 win mark and possibly sneak into the playoffs, where they could do damage due to the experience on the roster.
