On the strength of a strong finish and an even more impressive offseason, expectations are relatively high for the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. After consecutive nine-win seasons, Mike Tomlin’s team is expected to make a jump this season that includes a spot in the AFC playoffs.
There are several reasons to believe that the black and yellow will be in the AFC playoff mix this season. For starters, the Steelers will play a third-place schedule for the first time since 2012. Opponents aside, the Steelers possess one of the NFL’s tougher defenses and a young offense that should be vastly better than it was a year ago, led by second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Before embarking on a possible playoff run, the Steelers will first have to get through their 17-game regular season. Here’s a complete breakdown of Pittsburgh’s 2023 schedule (you can see the the Steelers’ entire schedule below) that includes notable schedule observations, the toughest stretch and pivotal matchups. We’ll also make game-by-game picks that will ultimately conclude with a final projected win-loss record for the black and gold.
Steelers 2023 schedule
|
1 |
49ers |
Sept. 10 | 1 p.m. | Fox |
|
2 |
Browns (MNF) |
Sept. 18 | 8:15 p.m. | ABC |
|
3 |
at Raiders (SNF) |
Sept. 24 | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
|
4 |
at Texans |
Oct. 1 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
5 |
Ravens |
Oct. 8 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
6 |
BYE |
|||
|
7 |
at Rams |
Oct. 22 | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
|
8 |
Jaguars |
Oct. 29 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
9 |
Titans (TNF) |
Nov. 2 | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
|
10 |
Packers |
Nov. 12 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
11 |
at Browns |
Nov. 19 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
12 |
at Bengals |
Nov. 26 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
13 |
Cardinals |
Dec. 3 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
|
14 |
Patriots (TNF) |
Dec. 7 | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon |
|
15 |
at Colts |
TBD | TBD | TBD |
|
16 |
Bengals |
Dec. 23 | 4:30 p.m. | NBC |
|
17 |
at Seahawks |
Dec. 31 | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
|
18 |
at Ravens |
Jan. 6 or 7 | TBD | TBD |
Key schedule observations
- Week 6 bye
- Nine road games, eight road games
- First Week 1 home opener since 2014
- Four prime time games (three at home)
- Two “Thursday Night Football” games (both at home)
- 25th ranked strength of schedule (opponents had a combined .470 winning percentage in 2022)
- Eight games against teams that made the playoffs in 2022
- Possible matchups against young QB’s that include rookies C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson, Jordan Love, and Trey Lance/Brock Purdy
Toughest stretch
The NFL saved the Steelers’ toughest stretch of the schedule for last. After facing the Colts in Indianapolis in Week 15, the Steelers will host the two-time defending AFC North champion Bengals at home on Dec. 23. They’ll then finish the season with two…
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