The Pittsburgh Steelers are a popular NFL franchise. So it stands to reason that, when it came time for schedule-makers to release the 2023 NFL schedule, they will have more primetime games than many teams.
Though they don't quite have the same national audience pull as a team like the Dallas Cowboys and they aren't as thrilling to watch as the Kansas City Chiefs in their powerhouse offense, the Steelers are a storied franchise that will get plenty of time under the lights in 2023.
Last year, Mike Tomlin's team was slated to have five total games in primetime action. However, only four of them came to fruition. Their fifth primetime slot late in the season against the Cincinnati Bengals was flexed out of Sunday Night Football in favor of an allegedly more interesting divisional matchup with the Chargers and Chiefs (yes, the NFL has the power to do that if they think it will help with ratings).
This year seems to be a very familiar story. Here's a look at every primetime game the Pittsburgh Steelers will play during the 2023 season.
Steelers primetime games 2023:
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play a total of four primetime games in 2023, according to the recently released schedule. Here a quick breakdown of all four national games this year:
Week 2: Steelers vs Browns, Monday Night Football, ABC
The first primetime game for the Pittsburgh Steelers will come early in the 2023 season. After hosting the 49ers in the home opener, Mike Tomlin's team will host the Cleveland Browns on Week 2 for Monday Night Football. This will make it a long week after their first game with plenty of time to prepare. Pittsburgh gets a big divisional matchup under the lights in Week 2.
Week 3: Steelers @ Raiders, Sunday Night Football, NBC
The Steelers Christmas Eve contest last year against the Raiders came down to the wire, so the NFL decided to give these two teams another primetime slate in 2023. Last year, their matchup was ultimately decided by a game-winning drive from quarterback Kenny Pickett. The Steelers have struggled on the road in years past against Las Vegas, but they've been good in primetime. We'll have to wait and see how this one plays out.
Week 9: Steelers vs Titans, Thursday Night Football, Prime Video
This will be the first of two Thursday Night Football games the Pittsburgh Steelers will have in 2023. Both contests will be at home against AFC opponents. Last year, Week 9 was Pittsburgh's bye. This time, they will face the Tennessee Titans. It's unclear whether it will be Ryan Tannehill or rookie QB Will Levis leading the charge at the halfway point of the season.
Week 14: Steelers vs Patriots, Thursday Night Football, Prime Video
In Week 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host their final primetime game of the 2023 NFL schedule. This will also be a Thursday Night Football game at home -- this time against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Late in the season, this Week 14 contest could potentially have big implications as Mike Tomlin's team seems likely to be in the playoff hunt.
Even though they initially started with five primetime games to open the 2022 season, that number was ultimately cut down to four. The NFL must think that's the perfect number for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barring flexing into or out of a primetime game, Pittsburgh will play a total of four national games under the lights in 2023. Three of their four primetime games will be home at Acrisure Stadium.