Projecting the Steelers season following the bye week

The Pittsburgh Steelers return from their bye week to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 8.

While the AFC North had an eventful Week 7, the Pittsburgh Steelers watched from home while enjoying their bye week. While bye weeks are usually a time for rest, the Steelers probably spent their’s wondering how they can get out of last place in the division.

At 3-3, Pittsburgh is one game back of the 4-3 Cleveland Browns, who they return to action against on Sunday. That will be only the Steelers’ second divisional game, so they will have plenty of opportunities to make up ground in the division.

While the opportunity is certain, how Pittsburgh will perform is unclear. Throughout the first six weeks, the Steelers were able to grind out some tough wins, while also losing some ugly games, before recording two consecutive wins prior to the bye. In other words, it’s a bit tough to predict how they will finish the season.

Steelers record prediction following the bye week

With an aging quarterback, a subpar offensive line, and a diminished receiver unit, the future of Pittsburgh’s season looks a little gloomy. But with the talented Steelers defense and exciting rookie running back, Najee Harris, there’s hope. Unfortunately, not enough hope, as it is likely the Steelers finish with a 6-11 record, after closing the year out with a brutal schedule.

• at Cleveland Browns
• vs. Chicago Bears
• vs. Detroit Lions
• at Los Angeles Chargers
• at Cincinnati Bengals
• vs. Baltimore Ravens
• at. Minnesota Vikings
• vs. Tennessee Titans
• at Kansas City Chiefs
• vs. Cleveland Browns
• at Baltimore Ravens

Coming off the bye week, Pittsburgh can likely extend their two-game win streak to five, as they take on the depleted Browns, the struggling Bears, and the winless Lions. That will move them to 6-3 and bring a lot of excitement back to Steel City. Unfortunately, that joy will slowly descend into pain as the Steelers likely end the season losing eight straight.

From Week 11 – Week 18, the teams on Pittsburgh’s schedule currently have a combined record of 34-20, and most of them have looked better than the Steelers. Barring any significant injuries, Pittsburgh will be the underdog in all of those matchups, but it is the NFL, and anything can happen.

If the Steelers want to upset some teams and finish better than 6-11, they will have to play better than they did before their bye. The offense is going to have to consistently move the ball and generate explosive plays, while the defense, who has been good, must be even better as they face off against quality offenses.

It will be a tall task for the Black and Gold, but they have exceeded expectations plenty of times in the past, and look to do it again.