When we first glanced at the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 schedule way back on May 11th, we could make several notable observations. The first is that their bye week (Week 6) was very early this year. We also noticed how Pittsburgh had a manageable slate of games in the middle of the season (at least on paper).
However, we also took note of the brutal stretch of games to close the season. In the final four weeks, the Steelers will face the Colts, Bengals, Seahawks, and Ravens with three of these games coming on the road. Season-ending injuries to opposing quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow theoretically make a victory more attainable... but that was before we knew how disappointing Pittsburgh was going to be in 2024.
After falling short in back-to-back contests against the Cardinals and Patriots, the Steelers are suddenly in do-or-die territory. Here are my predictions for the final four games remaining on Pittsburgh's 2023 schedule.
Week 15: Steelers @ Colts
This one could prove to be the dagger if the Steelers don't show up to play for the third straight week. With Kenny Pickett sidelined due to an ankle injury, Mitch Trubisky has done nothing to give fans hope, and it will require a much better performance from the veteran quarterback to stand a shot in this road contest.
Meanwhile, the Colts have been a sneaky-good team -- winning 4 of their last 5 contests. They have some notable injuries in this one with RB Jonathan Taylor and OT Braiden Smith out, but their roster still has fewer holes, and their offensive game plan has been better this year.
The Colts were 8th in the NFL in scoring entering Week 15. With the Steelers banged up and missing their starting quarterback, it's hard to imagine them mustering up enough on offense and keeping this 7-6 Colts team in check. The losing streak continues and Pittsburgh falls to .500 at 7-7.
Prediction: Steelers 16 Colts 23
Record: 7-7