Steelers 2024 Schedule: Game-by-game and final record predictions

The Steelers' 2024 schedule just dropped. Though we knew which opponents Pittsburgh would be facing since January, we now know when each of these games will be played this season.

Things ended in disappointment in 2023. After doing just enough to fight back into the playoff race late in the year, the Steelers received the outside assistance they needed from the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 to vault themselves into the tournament. Unfortunately, they were one-and-done after suffering a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.

Mike Tomlin is still looking for postseason success, but before that can happen, his team needs to take care of business in the regular season. A difficult schedule won't guarantee Pittsburgh a playoff berth. Here are my game-by-game predictions for 2024 following the Steelers' schedule release.

Steelers schedule: Game-by-game predictions for 2024

Week 1: Steelers @ Falcons

Prediction: Win
Record: 1-0

There's always a chance the Steelers are going to struggle against good quarterbacks. When Pittsburgh faced Kirk Cousins in 2021, they allowed 36 points (though his was largely because of Minnesota's rushing attack). Now Cousins is on a new team in Atlanta without as much talent around him. Mike Tomlin knows the team can't drop games like this. I have Pittsburgh claiming a road win against the Falcons.

Week 2: Steelers @ Broncos

Prediction: Win
Record: 2-0

This is the big Russell Wilson 'revenge' game that everyone has been talking about. I know that Sean Payton is a good NFL coach, but that Broncos roster is looking rough and they are likely to have a rookie QB at the helm in Bo Nix. The Steelers are strictly the more talented team, and I have them flying to Empower Field at Mile Highand claiming a victory in Denver.

Week 3: Steelers vs. Chargers

Prediction: Loss
Record: 2-1

Even if their defense proves to be a solid unit once again in 2024, I can see the Steelers struggling to contain Justin Herbert. Pittsburgh might not have as many weaknesses, but this one could come down to quarterback play, and I trust Herbert a lot more than what the Steelers have going on ahead of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if this contest turned into a shootout, and the Chargers have more firepower. New HC Jim Harbaugh will help his team play up to their talent level.

Week 4: Steelers @ Colts

Prediction: Win
Record: 3-1

Shayne Steichen humiliated the Steelers in a blowout 30-13 win in December of 2023, but I don't think Tomlin lets this happen twice in a row. The Colts' roster is improving, but they have a lot of question marks on offense, including their franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson, who is returning from a season-ending injury. Pittsburgh knows the importance of a game like this. I have the Steelers taking the road win in Indianapolis.

Week 5: Steelers vs. Cowboys

Prediction: Loss
Record: 3-2

This matchup against the Dallas Cowboys only occurs once every four years (or when standings from the previous season match these teams up), but I always look forward to this contest on the Steelers' schedule. The Cowboys fell flat in the playoffs, but they were great in the regular season last year. Unfortunately, I don't think Pittsburgh matches up very well against this team. I have Dallas winning this nationally televised contest on Sunday Night Football.

Week 6: Steelers @ Raiders

Prediction: Win
Record: 4-2

The Steelers have struggled while playing the Raiders on the road in the past, but Las Vegas has had too many changes all at once. If they don't hit the ground running, Las Vegas could end up being one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2024. Pittsburgh doesn't cruise to victory very often, and they may not blow out this AFC opponent, but they do enough to win this game.

Week 7: Steelers vs. Jets

Prediction: Loss
Record: 4-3

The Jets have been loading up on talent for the past few years. Now they get the long-anticipated return of Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Fame quarterback hasn't played a full game since 2022, but if he's even a fraction of his former self, Rodgers will find a way to exploit Pittsburgh's defense with all eyes watching on Sunday Night Football. I have the Jets taking this one.

Week 8: Steelers vs. Giants

Prediction: Win
Record: 5-3

The Steelers don't get many freebies and I don't want to jinx it, but a home game against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants is about as easy as it comes in the NFL. We have seen Pittsburgh struggle with these types of inferior uncommon NFC opponents in the past, but this needs to be a win for Mike Tomlin and company on Monday Night Football just before the bye week.

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Steelers @ Commanders

Prediction: Win
Record: 6-3

If there are 2-3 games on the schedule each year that you have to win, this is one of them for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. The Commanders were a trainwreck last season. Now they have a new coach and a rookie quarterback while starving for talent. I have the Steelers claiming a win over this uncommon NFC opponent.

Week 11: Steelers vs. Ravens

Prediction: Win
Record: 7-3

The Steelers got the best of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at home last year, but it required a clutch interception from Joey Porter Jr. late in the game when Baltimore could have put things on ice. You can bet that this will be a one-score game without many total points on the board. I have Pittsburgh taking care of the football and doing just enough to emerge victorious on their home turf against the Ravens.

Week 12: Steelers @ Browns

Prediction: Win
Record: 8-3

While we can't expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to repeat their 5-1 record against the AFC North in 2024, I do think that they take care of business against the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson has yet to show the ability to lead his team consistently, and Pittsburgh's defense always plays them tough. I have the Steelers taking the win from Cleveland on the road on Thursday Night Football.

Week 13: Steelers @ Bengals

Prediction: Loss
Record: 8-4

Here's where things start to get brutal for Pittsburgh. Joe Burrow has only lost one game to the Steelers since 2020, and it happened to come in Cincinnati in 2022. However, it required the perfect storm for Pittsburgh to emerge victorious as Burrow threw 4 interceptions and a recovered fumble for Mike Tomlin's team to squeak out a 23-20 win in overtime. I don't think they will be as fortunate this time around, and Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy.

Week 14: Steelers vs. Browns

Prediction: Win
Record: 9-4

Every offseason, we talk about how much 'talent' Cleveland's roster has, but they never seem to live up to lofty expectations. Now it's their 230 million dollar quarterback who could be holding them back from competing. These AFC North games could go either way, but the Steelers know how important a home game against arguably their easiest divisional rival will be. I have Pittsburgh taking the win.

Week 15: Steelers @ Eagles

Prediction: Loss
Record: 9-5

This Pennsylvania battle occurred in the middle of the 2022 season when the Steelers suffered a 35-13 blowout loss. This humiliating defeat is one that Tomlin will want to erase from his memory. Though the game should be much closer this time around, the Eagles are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL and they fixed some of their biggest problems in the secondary by adding rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. I think the Steelers keep it close on the road, but can't secure the victory.

Week 16: Steelers @ Ravens

Prediction: Loss
Record: 9-6

I don't think the Steelers will be so fortunate to steal a road victory against the AFC's top-ranked team from 2023 -- even if this is a divisional game. The Ravens might not possess a lot of star power, but they have a very well-rounded roster and are one of the best-coached teams in the NFL. This is one on the Steelers' schedule I would love to have, but I have Baltimore taking care of business on their own turf.

Week 17: Steelers vs. Chiefs

Prediction: Loss
Record: 9-7

As much as I would love to see the Pittsburgh Steelers take down the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on Christmas Day, it's not reasonable to think they will be anything close to favorites in this contest -- despite the fact that this game is at home. Patrick Mahomes is 3-0 all-time against the Steelers (including the playoffs), and these games haven't been particularly close. The Chiefs have scored 40 points per game over their previous three contests against Pittsburgh, and the Steelers might need a Christmas miracle to pull this one off. I don't see it happening.

Week 18: Steelers vs. Bengals

Prediction Loss
Record: 9-8

Pittsburgh has gotten a lot of help from their defense when playing the Bengals, and they've found a way to win three of their last four games against Cincinnati. However, it's worth mentioning that Joe Burrow was on IR and the Steelers got to face backup QB Jake Browning. Burrow is 3-1 in his last four games against Pittsburgh, and Mike Tomlin's defense doesn't match up well against him. I have the Steelers taking a home loss here.

Steelers 2024 final record prediction: 9-8

I wanted to give the Pittsburgh Steelers at least 10 wins in 2024, but their schedule is extremely difficult on paper, and this team has had a lot of roster turnover during the offseason. If they get off to a slow start, it will be hard for them to reach double-digit win totals. Once again, I think their chances of making the playoffs will come down to the wire, and they may rely on outside help in Week 18 to enter the tournament.