Steelers' number of primetime games foreshadows the expectations in Pittsburgh in 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded an astounding five primetime games. Playing opponents that headline the sport, even if the team is one of the biggest brands in the league, five is a hefty number. It proves that the league, like Steelers fans, has high expectations for Pittsburgh in 2024: Steelers Treated as Primetime Darlings […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded an astounding five primetime games.
Playing opponents that headline the sport, even if the team is one of the biggest brands in the league, five is a hefty number.
It proves that the league, like Steelers fans, has high expectations for Pittsburgh in 2024:
Steelers Treated as Primetime Darlings
The largest fanbase in the league behind the Dallas Cowboys, the brand power and stability of the Pittsburgh Steelers always lends them multiple primetime games, but with significant interest surrounding the team given the QB turnover, that has only been amplified:
- Primetime game #1: Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Night Football
- Primetime game #2: New York Jets, Sunday Night Football
- Primetime game #3: New York Giants, Monday Night Football
- Primetime game #4: Cleveland Browns, Thursday Night Football
- Primetime game #5: Kansas City Chiefs, Christmas Day
It was easy to predict a high amount of primetime games when considering that the Steelers have the hardest schedule in the league. The Giants matchup on Monday Night Football is a bit surprising when a Ravens or Bengals game would be more worthy of a stand-alone fixture, but I'm sure Pittsburgh won't be complaining.
The all-in mantra and rebuilt status of the offense has many believing that Pittsburgh will be a dark horse contender. We know their defense is championship material, and the offensive line can now be one of the best in the league.
The only questions left to answer revolve around the WR position, and arguably the most important position in pro sports, QB.
How well either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson acclimates to the Steel City will be a determining factor in the ceiling and overall success of the team, but the league seems to think they will be just fine.
We know Russell has played winning football in the past, even hoisting a Lombardi and being nominated a 9x Pro Bowler.
That player may not be inside of him anymore, or at least it hasn't shown up in the past two seasons, though the situation in Denver could be the cause of that more than Russell Wilson himself.
As for Justin Fields, the highs are high, but the consistency is lacking on a down-in and own-out basis, leaving you struggling to wonder if he's capable of being a winning player even at only 25 years old and coming from his own bad situation.
We'll see if either signal caller can answer the bell.
