The NFL hit the Steelers with a massive disadvantage that could hurt them late in the season
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to deal with a major disadvantage in 2023 thanks to the NFL. And it could play a role in that how the AFC North division race plays out. NBC Sports' Peter King pointed out on Monday in his "Football Morning in America" column that Pittsburgh will face an odd scheduling […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to deal with a major disadvantage in 2023 thanks to the NFL.
And it could play a role in that how the AFC North division race plays out.
NBC Sports' Peter King pointed out on Monday in his "Football Morning in America" column that Pittsburgh will face an odd scheduling quirk late in the season.
King noted that from November 17 to December 9 — a span of 23 days — the Baltimore Ravens will play just one game (against the Los Angeles Chargers).
During that same span, the Steelers will play four games (Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots).
Every team plays 17 games, but the way the schedule works out allows for better rest opportunities for some teams. The Ravens are the benefactor of those opportunities in 2023 while it looks like the Steelers received the raw end of the deal.
Of course, if there's a team that can handle adversity, it's a Mike Tomlin- coached squad. Steelers fans know that Tomlin won't be using this strange scheduling scenario as an excuse if things go south for Pittsburgh in the second half of the season.
Still, it certainly puts the Steelers at a disadvantage in the AFC North division race — especially with two of their four games during that stretch coming against division opponents.
While I'm sure Tomlin will have his team prepared, there's no way to avoid fatigue. It could be tough for Pittsburgh's players to stay sharp during such an intense stretch.
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