3 early games the Steelers could lose without preseason preparations

Week 5: Steelers vs. Eagles

Week 5 typically marks the last game of getting out of the slump before the Steelers start to kick things into gear. Since 2017, Pittsburgh is just 1-2 in Week 5 before winning four straight games in each of the past three years.

This year, however, could be entirely different. While in the past, the Steelers are just starting to find their grove, it could take even longer for them to catch on in 2020. The Philadelphia Eagles are a better team than the Giants or the Texans, and this wouldn’t have been a game that all experts would have picked the Steelers to win anyway.

The Eagles are a talented team led by a very good head coach in Doug Pederson. Though this game is set to be played at Heinz Field, it could make a difference if fans aren’t allowed in the stadium.

The Steelers are certainly capable of beating a team like the Eagles, but after losing five preseason games this year, who knows how long it will take for Mike Tomlin to get his team up to speed. We could still see early-sesaon struggles in Week 5.

It’s possible that Pittsburgh could end up taking care of business in all three of these games. However, with their track record of slow starts in recent years, the lack of preseason in 2020 draws even more cause for concern for the Steelers early in the regular-season.