Steelers schedule 2022: 3 games Pittsburgh can’t afford to lose this year

Week 3: Steelers @ Browns

This seems like a given. The Steelers start off the season with a remarkably difficult task — first on the road against the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals then hosting Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Last year, Pittsburgh finished 4-2 against their AFC North rivals on the season, but it’s probably unfair to expect a repeat of that in 2022 — especially considering the quarterbacks they are now up against in the conference.

Considering their early schedule, an 0-2 start to the season seems plausible, and dropping a third straight game against the Browns to begin the season would be catastrophic to their playoff chances. Not only is Cleveland a divisional opponent, but there is also a team that could be fighting for the same playoff spot as Pittsburgh in 2022.

It goes without saying, that every divisional game is very important, but Pittsburgh needs to keep their head above water in the AFC North if they want to have a shot at the playoffs this year.

Obviously, we have seen the Steelers upset teams in the past and I would expect that to happen a time or two again in 2022. However, these are three games Pittsburgh must win as the race for a playoff spot in the AFC is projected to be incredibly tight.