Predicting final 6 games of Steelers' 2024 season

We've reached the home stretch of the 2024 season. The next six weeks will expose exactly who the Pittsburgh Steelers are and what their chances of a Super Bowl run will look like. So far, Mike Tomlin's team hasn't been easy to figure out.

After squandering a game against the Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12, all three of Pittsburgh's losses have come against non-playoff opponents who combine for a 12-22 record with a point differential of -211 on the season. At the same time, the Steelers have won games against teams who are better than expected this year, like the Broncos and Chargers.

Now they get the ultimate test down the stretch with a cluster of AFC North battles and games against the 10-1 Kansas City Chiefs and the high-flying Eagles. Pittsburgh currently sits on an 8-3 record. Here are my predictions for each of the Steelers' final six games of 2024.

Week 13: Steelers @ Bengals

I hate to do this, but this is a contest I don't feel the slightest bit confident in. The Steelers have had difficulties containing Joe Burrow (when he's healthy), and the Bengals offense is on fire this year. This isn't a good matchup on paper for Pittsburgh, and it's hard to trust the Steelers' red zone offense enough to keep pace with Cincinnati on the road. I have them losing a close game in Week 13.

Prediction: Steelers 23 Bengals 26 (8-4 record)

Week 14: Steelers vs. Browns

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. After never hearing the end of their disappointing Thursday Night Football performance against the Browns in Cleveland, the Steelers get their revenge game at Acrisure Stadium. And this time, they will be out to prove that their weakest AFC North rival isn't in their league. This will be an all-around improved performance from their first head-to-head matchup.

Prediction: Steelers 28 Browns 17 (9-4 record)

Week 15: Steelers @ Eagles

For my money, this is the hardest game on the entire 2024 schedule for the Steelers. Not only has Pittsburgh struggled mightily against the Eagles in the past, but Philadelphia is looking every bit as strong as they did when they nearly won the Super Bowl a few years back. A well-coached team with one of the strongest rosters in the league will be an obstacle too big to overcome in Week 15 -- especially considering this game is on the road in mid-December.

Prediction: Steelers 19 Eagles 30 (9-5 record)

Week 16: Steelers @ Ravens

For whatever reason, Pittsburgh has been a thorn in the side of the Ravens for a long time. This was on full display during the Steelers' Week 11 home win. Facing the Ravens in Baltimore will be a far more daunting challenge and AFC North title implications will be on the line. Unfortunately, I don't have the Steelers holding Lamar Jackson and company down this easily in their second time around, and they split with the Ravens in Week 16.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Ravens 26 (9-6 record)

Week 17: Steelers vs. Chiefs

Since Patrick Mahomes took over at quarterback in 2018, the Steelers are 0-2 against the Chiefs in the regular season and 0-1 against Kansas City in the playoffs. Two of the three games haven't been particularly close. I think that changes on Christmas day. Despite the Chiefs' outstanding 10-1 record, they've barely been squeaking out wins and their defense is starting to get exposed. This Steelers roster is capable of controlling an underwhelming offense while putting points on the board against an overrated Kansas City team.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Chiefs 17 (10-6 record)

Week 18: Steelers vs. Bengals

The Steelers may be out of reach for first place in the AFC North by the season finale, but they will play for Wild Card seeding and momentum heading into the playoffs. While the Bengals still present a tough matchup on paper, the Steelers learn from their mistakes and win the fight this time around and do a better job preventing big plays from Cincinnati's passing offense. Pittsburgh will treat this like their first playoff game while the Bengals have nothing to play for and won't want their star players to suffer major injuries heading into the offseason.

Prediction: Steelers 30 Bengals 16 (11-6 record)