AFC North 2021 Schedule Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 was about as up-and-down as it gets for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After starting the year 11-0, Pittsburgh lost four out of five down the stretch, including a first-round exit in the playoffs to the Cleveland Browns by the score of 48-37. In the offseason, they responded by drafting RB Najee Harris in the first round, but will their lack of depth at the offensive line hurt Pittsburgh in 2021?
Last Year’s Record: 12-4
Most Intriguing Game: Week 6 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh’s season gets off to an uneven start with three games against “winning teams” and three against “losing teams” based on the 2020 season. The Steelers will end this six-game stretch against the Seattle Seahawks, who are a tough team to read but always seem to compete. This game is intriguing because it is two teams that are evenly matched. Great offense vs. Great defense, Seattle and Pittsburgh respectively. Winning this game would likely make the Steelers 4-2 if everything goes by projection, a good record to have going into the bye week.
Most Important Game: Week 18 at Baltimore Ravens
With the ups and downs that the Steelers are likely to encounter in 2021, the most important game will be Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens, their division rival. Baltimore, who are the betting favorites to win the division, has been a tough out against Pittsburgh, who has had their success against the Ravens as well. This game might have all the implications in the world for the Steelers with the AFC being so closely bunched in talent. Losing this game might end their season while winning it might make them division champions. That is how talented the conference is, making every win that much more important.
Most Important Stretch: Weeks 14-16
The Steelers draw an easy schedule to start the year, but weeks 14 to 16 will be a battle and might decide Pittsburgh’s fate in 2021. Pittsburgh will travel to Minnesota, play home against the Titans, and then face the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. These are three tough matchups that can go either way, and Pittsburgh will need to win two of these games if they want a chance at the division and probably only one to keep their playoff hopes alive. A three-game sweep here will likely destroy any chance they have, barring an electric start like 2020. It is tough to judge a schedule in May, but as of right now these are the toughest stretch of games the Steelers will face in 2021.
Prediction: 9-8
Mike Tomlin’s winning record streak will live on, but the lack of depth on the offensive line, combined with the loss of talent at the cornerback position along with Big Ben getting older, the Steelers will finish with a 9-8 record and miss the playoffs. In division, Pittsburgh will go 2-4, winning one game against Baltimore and Cincinnati while getting swept by Cleveland. Outside of the division, Pittsburgh can get wins against Vegas, Denver, Seattle to finish with a 4-2 record going into their bye week. After the bye week, they should beat Chicago, Detroit, and Tennessee. Despite this, teams like Buffalo, Los Angeles (AFC), Minnesota, and Kansas City will be too much for them to handle, bringing their record to a mediocre 9-8.
Info from profootballreference.com
Schedule from nfl.com
Writer
-By: Richie Dordas