The Schedule is Here!
We knew the opponents, we knew which games were home and which were away, but now we know the order and the time. The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 schedule is finally set.
On September 8th at 12:00 pm (CST) the Pittsburgh Steelers will officially kick off their 2024 season in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Falcons. Arthur Smith will make his return to where he spent two seasons as head coach.
The schedule is finally here. And as we sit today, things don’t look easy for the Steelers. Some highlights and thoughts below.
Home Opener: Week 3. September 22nd (happy birthday to me!) vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s NFL return makes its’ way to Pittsburgh. Two teams that will live on the fringes of the AFC playoff picture — even if it wasn’t the home opener this game would be significant.
Homecomings: Week 1. Arthur Smith going to Atlanta, I already mentioned above. But in week 2, Pittsburgh stays on the road and Russel Wilson returns to Denver to face Sean Payton and the Broncos. In week 16, Patrick Queen goes back to Baltimore after choosing the Steelers in free agency.
Three Games They Must Win: This team has a tough schedule. The AFC is loaded. They won’t be favored a ton. But if they want a chance at the playoffs in 2024 here are three games they have to win. For the sake of this point, we are removing AFC North opponents. Winning these games is clearly important. 1) Week 3 vs. the Chargers. I already said it, but this will be a team hoping for a wild card spot just like Pittsburgh. At home, in front of Acrisure Stadium for the first time, they have to make a statement. 2) Week 7 vs. the New York Jets. Sunday Night Football, primetime in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers. Another team who hopes to take the same playoff spot Pittsburgh could grab. Have to have it. 3) Week 10 at the Washington Commanders. Yes, they are an NFC opponent. Yes they won’t be great. But that is the exact reason Pittsburgh needs to win this game. It will come after the bye and probably be against second overall pick Jayden Daniels. Rookie QBs have picked a part the Steelers at times in the past. They can’t let that happen here.
Toughest Stretch: If you have looked at the schedule, this is pretty obvious. week 15 at the Philadelphia Eagles, week 16 at the Baltimore Ravens, and week 17 vs the Kansas City Chiefs. One team a season removed from the Super Bowl, one team the AFC one seed last season, and the back to back Super Bowl champions on Christmas day. What more needs to be said?
Record Prediction: You will see it all summer. Media members all over the place will be saying this is the year. This is when it finally happens. The Steelers will finish under .500. Let’s just get out ahead of this. It is not happening. Barring catastrophic injury, it just won’t. The roster is better, the quarterback play will be better, and the offense literally cannot be worse. The defense will be good again and Mike Tomlin is still the head coach. My tune will probably change by the time we get to September, but as we sit today? 10-7.