The Pittsburgh Steelers are slated for one of the toughest schedules in 2021.
After starting off their 2020 season at 11-0 the Steelers earned one of the toughest schedules in 2021. Especially after adding an extra week to the regular season, as the Seahawks were the extra team added to the schedule. With that being said, it is somewhat understandable when I hear people talking about the AFC north. The Steelers, again, are being viewed as the 3rd best team in their division. I spent a lot of time arguing with people about the same topic going into 2020.
It seems like every single season the Steelers are being viewed as a team that is trending downwards. I for one am really excited for the Steelers to pull off something special in 2021. Looking at their list of opponents, at first glance, it would be a tall task for any team in the league to win 10+ games. We have to face the Browns and Ravens twice as they are in our division. Some of the more high-profile teams outside of our division included the Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Seahawks, and Titans.
Just those 7 teams combined for a total of 85 wins in 2020. All of the Steelers’ opponents in their 2020 schedule combined for just 81 wins. The schedule is obviously much stronger and to draw a 12-4 team for the extra slot in the schedule makes it even tougher.
However, The Steelers for much of the season in 2020 were the best team in football. They are bringing back a terrific core on defense, filled with young talent that is only looking to improve. They have made great strides to improve the run game on offense, Najee Harris could potentially end the 2021 season top 5 in rushing.
The offensive line is improved from last season. They brought back JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is looking to be sent more downfield in 2021. We can expect the Steelers to have a normal bye week as their bye week got moved to a much earlier spot in 2020. They also lost their “mini bye” when their Thursday night game got moved. We saw injuries decimate the middle of the defense at the end of 2020.
How many games will the Steelers win this year?
There is a lot to love about the Steelers in 2021. Barring any major injuries, I could see the Steelers winning 13 or 14 games in 2021. I don’t see it as a big possibility that the Steelers could get swept by the Ravens or Browns. At worst I think they lose 2 games within their division while sweeping at least one AFC North opponent.
I think the added run game will give them the edge against the Chiefs, Seahawks, and the, soon-to-be without Aaron Rodgers, Packers. I could see them dropping the game against the Bears, who are getting a massive upgrade at QB with Justin Fields. We saw our Steelers go 8-8 without Ben in 2019 then 12-4 in 2020. Fields could potentially have the same level of impact for Chicago.
Reports are circulating that Aaron Rodgers could be traded to the Broncos or the Raiders, and both teams have made great improvements all over their roster. If either team lands Rodgers, it would spell major trouble for the Steelers when we face them as well. I think this is a year where we see the Steelers make a ton of people wrong just as they did by winning their division a year ago.
Record projection: 13-4
I’m by no means saying it is Super Bowl or bust for the Steelers in 2021. We should expect a playoff berth for Pittsburgh, along with at least one playoff win. After training camp, we will have a much better idea of what the team will look like as the depth chart finalizes. Seeing when we play each team will help too as stretches of home and away games can make the situation easier or harder.