Steelers' 3 most dangerous games of 2019
The Steelers missed out on the playoffs in 2018 with a 9-6-1 record. After going 7-2-1 in their first ten games, the Steelers played miserably down the stretch, losing four of their last six games.
Three of those losses came in consecutive weeks to the Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders. All three were winnable games given the in-game scenarios, but the Steelers failed to get a win against any of the AFC West teams, including Kansas City earlier in the season.
With 2018 behind them, along with the whirlwind offseason and Antonio Brown's departure behind them, the Steelers look to rebound in 2019. The roster is more balanced, especially on the defensive side of the ball, after some great acquisitions in free agency and the draft.
However, this upcoming season will not be easy for Pittsburgh. Cleveland has loaded up on talented players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt, and the Browns are favored by a good portion of media and fans alike to win the AFC North.
The Ravens are also not to be taken lightly. They lost some key players on defense, but they added talent at running back and on the perimeter and could be difficult to match up against.
Then looking at the rest of the AFC powerhouses like New England, Kansas City, and the Chargers, and throw in potential wildcard teams like Houston, Tennessee, and the Jets, making the playoffs will be a tall order in 2019.
Here are three games that could make or break the Steelers season. These are going to be dangerous games, not only because of the strength of the opponent, but because of how they could impact playoff scenarios come end of December.
Week 1: New England Patriots
Date: September 8, 2019
Time: 8:20 PM Eastern Time
Location: Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA
Television: NBC
Any time the New England Patriots are on the Steelers' schedule, it's going to be a dangerous game.
The previous two times these teams met, they were both at Heinz Field and they were both emotionally draining games. 2017's edition of the matchup was highlighted by Jesse James' controversial non-catch and last season's rematch was an emotional victory for the struggling Steelers, who had just lost on the road in Oakland.
In 2019, the Patriots are once again the defending Super Bowl champions. This time, the NFL decided to open their season by bringing the Steelers to Foxboro for New England's opener on the first edition of Sunday Night Football of 2019, breaking the tradition of the Super Bowl winner opening the NFL season on Thursday night.
As many of you probably already know, the Steelers have not fared well in New England, especially in the Tom Brady era. The two teams have met ten times overall, including twice in the playoffs (1996 Divisional Playoff and the 2016 AFC Championship game).
The Steelers are 4-6 in games in Foxboro, also having lost both playoff games. The last time the Steelers won in Foxboro was November 30, 2008 against a Matt Cassel-led Patriots team. Tom Brady missed the 2008 season with a season-ending knee injury in their first game of the season.
As a matter of fact, the Steelers have never beaten Tom Brady on his home turf. History only means so much in team matchups, but after all, these players are human. Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger know just how hard it is to beat Brady and Bill Belichick in Gillette Stadium.
An upset in Foxboro would be a great way to kick off the 2019 season. It would be a great statement game right off the bat, instilling confidence that this team is still a legitimate contender and finally getting that monkey off their back about beating the Patriots on the road. It sure won't be easy though. And it could make all the difference in the AFC standings come December.
Week 10: Los Angeles Rams
Date: November 10, 2019
Time: 4:25 PM Eastern Time
Location: Heinz Field - Pittsburgh, PA
Television: FOX
Inter-conference games are difficult to put on a list like this, but when the defending NFC Champions are on the schedule, you have to take notice.
The Los Angeles Rams come to Pittsburgh in Week 10 of the 2019 schedule. It will be the final game of a three-game home stand after the Steelers host the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 8, followed by a matchup with the Colts on a short week.
Back to back games with the Colts and Rams would have been one of the toughest stretches of the 2019 season until Andrew Luck surprisingly retired from football at age 29. The Colts now don't look nearly as threatening of an opponent with Jacoby Brissett under center.
The Rams make our list because of their matchup issues with Pittsburgh. Offensively, Jared Goff is blossoming into a legitimate franchise quarterback under Sean McVay, and the depth they possess will cause all kinds of matchup problems for the Steelers' improved defense.
Todd Gurley is one of the premier running backs in the NFL and is always dangerous when healthy. He is still currently recovering from the knee injury suffered in Week 15 of last season, but he should be ready to go well before Week 10 when the Rams come to Pittsburgh.
The Rams also boast one of the deepest receiving corps in the league, highlighted by Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. These kind of weapons are dangerous all over the field and will challenge the Steelers down the middle and on the perimeter.
On defense, the Rams have a multitude of quality defensive players. However, none are like Aaron Donald, the prized defensive tackle who played his college football at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the most double-teamed player in football and will require the same kind of attention from the Steelers. He was also voted by the players as the best player in the entire league a season ago.
The Steelers will have the home field advantage, but the Rams will bring one of the league's best rosters into Heinz Field for this matchup. It will be one of the toughest tests of the season for Mike Tomlin's Steelers.
Week 11: Cleveland Browns
Date: November 14, 2019
Time: 8:20 PM Eastern Time
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium - Cleveland, OH
Television: FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Prime Video
It's been a long while since the Cleveland Browns have been on anyone's "dangerous" list, but 2019 looks to be the year they may finally become a playoff contender again.
The Browns have not won a division title since 1989, back when the AFC North was the AFC Central. To put perspective on how long ago that was, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Oilers have won the same division since then.
The Jaguars and Titans were moved to the new AFC South when the NFL realigned in 2002, and the Houston Oilers haven't been in existence since 1996 when they moved to Tennessee and later became the Titans in 1999.
The Browns returning to Cleveland also happened in 1999, after the franchise moved to Baltimore to become the Ravens in 1996. Since then, the Browns have seen only two winning seasons and one playoff berth.
Fortunes seem to be changing for the Browns now. They've consistently added pieces to the defense and added number one overall pick Baker Mayfield, who performed very well in his rookie season. The Browns finished 7-8-1, a massive improvement from the combined 1-31 record over the two previous seasons.
The Browns added even more talent this past offseason, highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt. Hunt cannot see action until Week 9 because of an eight-game suspension for domestic violence.
Week 11 marks the first time the Steelers will see the reloaded Browns. Two factors play into why this game makes out list. First, it's on the road. While playing in his home state has benefited Ben Roethlisberger over the course of his career, it's always easier to play at home rather than on the road. Plus, Big Ben's numbers on the road are inconsistent at best.
Second, this game will be on a Thursday night. They will have to travel to Cleveland on a short week after having to face two tough teams in the Colts and Rams in weeks 9 and 10. It's never easy going on the road on a short week, especially to face a tough defensive team like the Browns are.
Say what you will about whether or not to buy into the Cleveland hype, they will be poised to take down the Steelers they hate so much. If they don't buckle under the pressure, this will be a very difficult game to win for Pittsburgh.
