Will the Steelers go 16-0 in the 2020 NFL season?

NFC East/AFC East

Of the remaining games on the Steelers schedule, two remaining games are with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington. The entire NFC East has a combined record of 8-21 in 2020. The division is a train wreck. Plus, Pittsburgh has already beaten the Giants and Eagles. Given that, the Steelers have the talent and ability to easily run the tables and go 4-0 against the NFC East this season.

Will they, though? Then the Steelers have one game with their lone opponent in the AFC, the Buffalo bills, which will be a thrilling matchup as well. They are a good team this year, much better than in 2019.

Let’s take a look at their remaining NFC East/AFC East opponents.

Dallas Cowboys 2-6:  Away, Week 9

If the NFC East is a train wreck, then the Dallas Cowboys are a disaster. They lost Dak Prescott for the season. They signed Andy Dalton as a replacement. Only one game in, he suffers a concussion, and Dallas has him listed as doubtful for the game with Pittsburgh. Not a good prognosis.  Thus the Cowboys may have to go with their back up rookie Ben DiNucci. Also, the Cowboys have lost five offensive linemen with 11 players in all on the injured reserve.

This game seems like a no brainer. Pittsburgh should win easily if the Cowboys are down to a rookie quarterback and no starters on the offensive line. Plus, do not expect Ezekiel Elliot or the cowboys to post 250 yards rushing as the Ravens did. Granted, even bad teams can win; however, it seems unlikely the Cowboys can stop the Steelers. Chalk up another victory for the Steelers.

Washington 2-5: Home Week 13

While Washington has some talent, they are banged up, much like the Cowboys, with ten players on the injured reserve list. Plus, they have lost to Cleveland and the Ravens. Their only two victories have come against opponents inside the NFC East, Dallas, and Philadelphia. So they are not much better than the Cowboys.

That said, teams like Washington are dangerous. If the Steelers take them lightly, then Washington could upset them. Pittsburgh has them at home, and if the Steelers beat Dallas in week nine, it seems unlikely Washington will have any better success against the Steelers. Expect another Pittsburgh victory in this game as well.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills 6-2: Away, week 14

The Steelers played the bills in 2019 and got beaten soundly. However, the Steelers didn’t have Ben Roethlisberger, and the Bills vied for only a wild card. In 2020 the Bills are in first place, but wouldn’t you know Ben Roethlisberger is 4-0 against the Bills.

Josh Allen is a great young Quarterback, and he has talented wide receivers. Their rushing game is ok, not great. Could the Steelers lose here? Yes, They could be the most dangerous team on Pittsburgh’s schedule. However, it is still Buffalo.  They are still nothing like the Buffalo team led by Jim Kelley but dangerous. That said It’s hard to fathom the Bills winning this game, but in Buffalo, in December, you could have a foot of snow.  Be wary of a Bills surprise but as long as the Steelers remain reasonably healthy, expect another Pittsburgh victory.