Pittsburgh Steelers early game-by-game predictions for 2021 season
By Tommy Jaggi
Week 2: Raiders @ Steelers
For some reason or another, the Steelers always seem to have trouble with the Raiders. The last time these two teams met, Pittsburgh was embarrassed in a road loss to a bad Raiders team. This year could be a different story.
While I believe that the Raiders have made great strides since the last time these two teams played, they are at a big disadvantage in Week 2. Not only do they play on the road, but they will be forced to travel to Pittsburgh after a Monday Night contest against the Ravens on a short week. Teams who travel from the west coast to the east coast on a short week have an awful win percentage, and I think that will give the Steelers a huge leg up.
Prediction: Win (1-1)
Week 3: Bengals @ Steelers
We can’t expect the Steelers to roll all over the Bengals like they have in the past. Though Cincinnati finished near the bottom of the league in 2020, there is no doubt they have a promising young quarterback in Joe Burrow. The former number one overall pick played just 10 games before an ACL tear ended his rookie campaign.
Fresh off his injury and traveling to Pittsburgh, I think the Steelers take this game. Defensively, these teams aren’t even close to comparable, and Mike Tomlin clearly has the more talented roster in this contest.