The biggest games on the Steelers 2021 schedule
The 2021 NFL regular season is finally here! Within a few days we’ll see the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field for the first time since exiting the playoffs early in a Wild Card loss to the Cleveland Browns in January.
That rematch, among other games, are several which stand out on Pittsburgh’s calendar: graded as the strongest strength of schedule in the NFL for this season.
Which games are the ones to really watch out for?
Here are my thoughts!
Week 1 @ Buffalo Bills
The last few encounters between these teams has not been pleasant for the Steelers, who have succumbed to a rising star in Buffalo’s quarterback, Josh Allen.
Their 2019 matchup was moved to a Sunday Night Football primetime game, as each team was on the brink of elimination from playoff contention. With Duck Hodges under center, the Steelers turned the ball over five times in a disappointing 17-10 home loss.
With Ben Roethlisberger back in 2020, the Steelers went on the road following their first loss of the season. Looking to rebound, the Steelers instead dropped their second-straight loss in another primetime affair, 26-15.
Oddly, the NFL didn’t put the rubber match in 2021 in primetime, opting for the standard 1pm kickoff. With no inclement weather envisioned in early September, the Bills won’t have that edge over the Steelers this time as the latter looks for redemption the last two seasons – and to prove that their team isn’t on the decline as the critics claim.
Week 4 @ Green Bay Packers
What could be a bigger game to look forward to than a road trip to the legendary Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers and the historic Green Bay Packers?
Need I say more?
Week 8 @ Cleveland Browns
The first clash between these two division opponents in a renewed rivalry takes place on Halloween – and like most of the Steelers bigger games, is also on the road.
Expect a raucous enemy crowd with major division bragging rights on the line as the Steelers look for redemption, and the Browns look for validation, with a win.
Week 13 Baltimore Ravens
Steelers and Ravens games are always ones to mark on the calendar, but even more so will be their first contest, which comes deep into the 17-game season on December 5th.
I marked this game as more important than the Week 18 finale, at Baltimore, for two reasons.
First, this game is in Pittsburgh. There’s no way that the team and the fan base isn’t stoked to face the Ravens.
Secondly, there’s a good chance that like last year’s final game of the season, that one of the two teams won’t be playing for anything and sits starters in Week 18 – making this the chief of the two games played between the AFC North foes.
Week 16 @ Kansas City Chiefs
Another CBS afternoon doubleheader slate, this game will headline NFL Sunday the day after Christmas with two huge opponents.
The Chiefs have been among the top dogs in the AFC for the last three years – and playing them at Arrowhead, in December, will be a battle.
By this time the Steelers may need every conference win they can attain. They could be within a game leading or trailing either Cleveland or Baltimore in the AFC North standing, so an AFC victory would improve their postseason chances.
