PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – December/January has been an issue for the Steelers recently, this season they get the Ravens-twice, Cleveland, at Kansas City and at Minnesota (that is a Thursday night game following the first game against Baltimore). The Steelers scheduled released by the NFL Wednesday night.
Steelers won’t play on a holiday this year, closest to it is the day after Christmas at the Chiefs. They will only play two times on Sunday Night Football, home to Seattle, Oct. 17 and at the Chargers, Nov. 21, Steelers will play twice on Monday Night Football, home to Chicago on Nov. 8 and at Cleveland, Jan 3.
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Sunday, September 12 Opening day at Buffalo, 1p
· First game of the season is big for everyone, half of the fan bases are excited while the other half are concerned, to varying degrees. What a great test to help answer the questions left by the last 6 games of the 2020 season.
· A secondary without Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton will be tested by one of the rising quarterbacks in the league with an elite receiver, Stefon Diggs.
· Offensively, the first glimpse of the Matt Canada system. What innovations were made? Will Roethlisberger be under center? Has the line improved? What about Najee Harris?
· How will the Steelers react to a fired-up Bills Mafia feeling it has a Super Bowl contending club?
· Like we said, every opening game is important, but this one is truly intriguing.
Sunday, Sept. 19 Home opener vs Raiders, 1p
· Whatever the result is for game 1, it’s the first opportunity for Steeler Nation to, hopefully, pack Heinz Field again facing a traditionally tough opponent. Prime-time Jon Gruden in year four with Las Vegas and still looking for a winning record.
· They will be coming off a Monday Night hosting of the Ravens.
· If week one goes poorly and struggles early in week two, how will the home fans react?
· The silver and black are one of four AFC franchises with a winning record against the Steelers.
Sunday, Oct. 3 at Green Bay, 4:25p
· It was a hell of a Super Bowl and while that was a decade ago, both quarterbacks remain. Although it looks more clear that Ben Roethlisberger will be there and potentially Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers is there, Green Bay is a Super Bowl contender. If Jordan Love or Blake Bortles is the quarterback, it’s still a tough place to play, but a lot more manageable.
Sunday, Oct. 31—Halloween at the Browns (at Pgh, Monday night, Jan 3)
· Some may not be willing to admit this, but the Browns are a better team than the Steelers. It’s the Steelers who are the underdog in 2021, at least to start the season.
· How are the Browns handling success by the time they meet in Cleveland?
· How do the Steelers react to being underdogs?
Sunday, Dec. 5 Baltimore, 4:25p (at Balt final day of regular season, Sun, Jan 9)
· Every matchup against the Ravens is a measuring stick. It’s nearly two decades now that their paths seem to be on a parallel trajectory.
· Last year the Steelers were able to come up with key turnovers against Baltimore, can they still do that without Hilton, Nelson and Bud Dupree.
· What will Sammy Watkins add to the Ravens pass game?
· Does Ben Roethlisberger have more magic left against his biggest rival?
Sunday, Dec. 26 at Kansas City
· Ho, Ho, Ho
· There is no better test for a defense than the Kansas City Chiefs-vertical tight end, speedy receivers, variety of running backs and the most complete quarterback in the game.
· No one wants to admit to moral victories, but a close loss might be one for the Steelers.
Steelers preseason begins at the Hall of Fame game, Thursday, August 5 against Dallas. Their only home preseason game is Saturday, August 21 against Detroit.