Steelers 2020 strength of schedule is meaningless

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans during week three of preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans during week three of preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Steelers
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the second half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Steelers will face three 2019 playoff teams in consecutive weeks

Week 3 brings the Houston Texans into town.  This game will be a difficult one as the Texans finished the 2019 season with a 10-6 record and won the AFC South Division.  It’s also interesting the note that both T.J. Watt and Derek Watt, newly acquired via free agency, will suit up against their brother, J.J. Watt.

What I think matters in this context is whether or not we can contain Deshaun Watson, the QB for the Texans. If we actually place a ‘spy’ on him, I think we will contain him enough to avoid having him become a factor in the running game. If we can not or do not contain him, it will be a long day.

In Week 4, the Steelers have a road game against the Tennesse Titans, the runner-up, so to speak, in the AFC Championship Game.  I truly believe this will be a difficult game for us. The Titans are a run-first team, in my opinion.  If we can’t stop the run, it will be another long day.  If we can stop the run, we will have a chance to win this game.

To complete this particular three-game stretch, the Steelers will host the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the NFC East in 2019.  I think the fact that we will host the Eagles gives us an advantage in this game, albeit a slight advantage.  As with all games, if the Steelers can get off to a fast start on offense and on defense, we will come out victorious.

Let’s progress by looking at the next handful of games.

Schedule