Steelers 2024 schedule with game-by-game predictions: Pittsburgh's road to playoff redemption
With the 2024 NFL schedule officially released, the Pittsburgh Steelers know exactly what their fall will look like. Boasting the hardest schedule in the league, Pittsburgh's rebuilt offense and league-leading defense will be tested weekly. Wondering what that will look like record-wise?Well here you go: Week 1: Steelers @ Falcons, Sunday, Sep. 8th, 1:00 p.m. […]
With the 2024 NFL schedule officially released, the Pittsburgh Steelers know exactly what their fall will look like.
Boasting the hardest schedule in the league, Pittsburgh's rebuilt offense and league-leading defense will be tested weekly.
Wondering what that will look like record-wise?
Well here you go:
Week 1: Steelers @ Falcons, Sunday, Sep. 8th, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 25-15: Arthur Smith's tenure in Atlanta came to an end after three seasons last year, and the Steelers' new OC will have added motivation and over four months of prep to get ready for his former team, meaning I expect Pittsburgh to start the season with a W.
Steelers Record after Week 1: 1-0
Week 2: Steelers @ Broncos, Sunday, Sep. 15th, 4:25 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 30-15: In Russell Wilson’s return to Mile High, I expect a motivated QB and team to handle business against a Broncos team that honestly isn't good on paper. They have a rookie QB of their own and incurred plenty of losses on defense.
Steelers Record after Week 2: 2-0
Week 3: Steelers vs. Chargers, Sunday, Sep. 22nd, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 15-10: Two teams that want to pound the ball, this will look like matchups from the old days of the NFL, but I think the Chargers are a year away from being a viable contender meaning Pittsburgh takes care of business at home.
Steelers Record after Week 3: 3-0
Week 4: Steelers @ Colts, Sunday, Sep. 29th, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Lose 21-14: The Colts are a dark horse contender in my opinion. A caught pass away from the playoffs last year, they experienced success without their starting QB Anthony Richardson, who I expect to look fantastic in his sophomore season.
Steelers Record after Week 4: 3-1
Week 5: Steelers vs. Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6th, 8:25 pm ET, NBC
Steelers Lose 35-30: The Cowboys don't look as good on paper as they have in previous seasons, but I expect the team to actually be better with increased pressure on QB Dak Prescott and HC Mike McCarthy as they approach the final year of their respective deals.
Steelers Record after Week 5: 3-2
Week 6: Steelers @ Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 13th, 4:05 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 24-17: The Raiders simply don’t have a QB that scares you. Sure Gardner Minshew has had his share of moments in the league, but he’s largely a bridge QB. The Raiders are also raw on defense, though new HC Antonio Pierce will likely change that.
Steelers Record after Week 6: 4-2
Week 7: Steelers vs. Jets, Sunday, Oct. 20th, 8:25 p.m. EST, NBC
Steelers Lose 22-18: The Jets, if healthy, have a true chance to make a Super Bowl run. It all comes down to Aaron Rodgers and his ability to play after tearing his Achilles, but the team has a fantastic roster.
Steelers record after Week 7: 4-3
Week 8: Steelers vs. Giants, Monday, Oct. 28th, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN
Steelers Win 33-20: The Giants have a chance to be the worst team in the league next season. QB Daniel Jones along with the coaching staff and front office might be lame ducks at this point, meaning the Steelers need to take business on MNF.
Steelers record after Week 8: 5-3
Week 9: Bye Week
Week 10: Steelers @ Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 10th, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 27-17: Washington will be yielding one of the worst teams in the league this year, even if rookie and second-overall pick Jayden Daniels hopes to be a revelation at QB. Pittsburgh’s defense should give him a rough time and the offense should push 30 points against a lowly or inexperienced secondary.
Steelers record after Week 10: 6-3
Week 11: Steelers vs. Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 17th, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Lose 20-17: Pittsburgh will have to take on a hungry Ravens squad who is looking to avenge the last-second loss they suffered at Acrisure Stadium in 2023. That leads me to believe the Steelers take an L in the first of the two meetings.
Steelers record after Week 11: 6-4
Week 12: Steelers @ Browns, Thursday Nov. 21st, 8:15 p.m. EST, Amazon Prime
Steelers Win 20-17: Pittsburgh just doesn't lose to Cleveland, especially when they are returning a QB that has yet to live up to his contract. I doubt Pittsburgh will have trouble with the Browns, even if it’s in Clevland and on primetime.
Steelers Record after Week 12: 7-4
Week 13: Steelers @ Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1st, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Lose 20-14: The Bengals are looking to get back to AFC championship form this season behind a healthy Joe Burrow. How well he plays is up for debate given his extensive injury history, but when right, Joey B and the Bengals boast one of the league's best offenses.
Steelers Record after Week 13: 7-5
Week 14: Steelers vs. Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8th, 1:00 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 30-20: The Steelers won’t let the Browns come into Pittsburgh and set one without a fight, and I expect the Steelers to win that fight against a Browns squad that may be overrated heading into 2024.
Steelers Record after Week 14: 8-5
Week 15: Steelers @ Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15th, 4:25 p.m. ET
Steelers Lose 30-20: The Eagles stumbled down the stretch last year despite starting with one of the best records in the league. Two years removed from their Super Bowl run and with a young core that boasts one of the league's best offenses, Pittsburgh will have their hands full with Philly.
Steelers Record after Week 15: 8-6
Week 16: Steelers @ Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 21st, 4:30 p.m. ET
Steelers Win 14-10: An old-fashioned game with December weather, I expect a traditional backstreet brawl between these two, with Pittsburgh eyeing a battle against the reigning champions on the horizon.
Steelers Record after Week 16: 9-6
Week 17: Steelers vs. Chiefs, Wednesday, Dec. 25th, 1:00 p.m. ET, Netflix
Steelers lose 30-20: With both teams coming off short rest and at this point in the season, they will rely on the anticipation and excitement of a standalone game on Christmas Day, though I expect Kansas City to come out on top.
Steelers Record after Week 17: 9-7
Week 18: Steelers vs. Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 5th, TBD
Steelers Win 23-21: The Steelers will have to beat a healthy Bengals squad if they want to prove they are any kind of contender and capable of a playoff run. That needs to happen at home and to close out the season.
Steelers record after Week 18: 10-7
Final Record: 10-7
Boasting the league's hardest schedule, we have seen that Vegas isn't very high on the Steelers projection in 2024, with BetMGM placing the over-under on Pittsburgh's win total at a mere 7.5 games, though the under is juiced a plus odds.
I'm sorry but even in the hardest division in the sport and with plenty of questions at the QB position, I don't see the team having a losing season, and I certainly don't see them getting anywhere near a mere 7 wins.
We'll see how things shake out come January.
