Forget the schedule, Steelers need to worry about own issues
If team doesn't fix offense and solidify corner, order of games won't matter
PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Regardless of the teams in front of you, the Steelers have issues they need to fix. That is what is controllable, not agonizing over having to play three games in 10 days or dealing with a Christmas game.
Before thinking they are hosed because of the schedule, think about last season. The Steelers didn't play Cincinnati for the first time until November 26. That was a huge break as they faced the Bengals twice without Joe Burrow. Green Bay came to Pittsburgh before they got hot, have them later in the year and maybe it's a different outcome.
The schedule could prove to be not as difficult as you see it right now. Lamar Jackson could be out and playing Baltimore late could be the situation you had with Cincy in 2023. You have a mini-bye, playing Cleveland on November 21 and the next game isn't until December 1. You get 11 days to prepare for the season closer at home against the Bengals.
Yes, the schedule looks and probably is hard, but you don't know how it transpire. What the Steelers need to worry about is getting their own house in order. For them the focus right now if finding a way to score points. Making sure that Russell Wilson does have greatness left in him. That you can develop or acquire a number two receiver. That you can just score points under Arthur Smith.
Defensively, find your second corner. You go into the season banking that Joey Porter is a future star. He might be and seems to be tracking that way, but he's only started 11 games in the NFL. Who is the other corner? Will it be a bounce-back year for Donte Jackson or former Raven Anthony Averett? Could a young player-Corey Trice, injured last year, or practice squad players, Luq Barcoo or Darius Rush, take a step?
While the sentiment is the NFL is screwing the Steelers, and remember it's been 11 years since they've been forced to play overseas, they have their own issues. No matter if the Steelers opened with Baltimore and played all division games before the bye, if they don't get their house in order done of this wrangling will matter.
