Last season, the Steelers managed only nine wins and failed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. That curbs some of the optimism around Pittsburgh as its 2019 schedule is released.
According to projected totals in Las Vegas, the Steelers an over/under of 8.5 wins. With several new teams rising up in the AFC, Pittsburgh getting to nine wins again likely will not be enough for it to return to the postseason. As for their schedule, in addition to their usual games against AFC North opponents, the Steelers will have games against teams from the AFC East and NFC West.
MORE: Who has the hardest schedule in 2019?
Here is a closer look at the Steelers' schedule for 2019 and how they are set up to fare this season.
Steelers schedule 2019
Steelers regular-season schedule:
- Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks
- Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| Week 1 | Sept. 8 | at Patriots | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| Week 2 | Sept. 15 | vs. Seahawks | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| Week 3 | Sept. 22 | at 49ers | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 4 | Sept. 30 (Monday) | vs. Bengals | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Week 5 | Oct. 6 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 6 | Oct. 13 | at Chargers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| Week 7 | BYE | - | - | - |
| Week 8 | Oct. 28 (Monday) | vs. Dolphins | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Week 9 | Nov. 3 | vs. Colts | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 10 | Nov. 10 | vs. Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| Week 11 | Nov. 14 (Thursday) | at Browns | 8:20 p.m. ET | Fox/NFLN |
| Week 12 | Nov. 24 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 13 | Dec. 1 | vs. Browns | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 14 | Dec. 8 | at Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 15 | Dec. 15 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 16 | Dec. 22 | at Jets | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| Week 17 | Dec. 29 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
Steelers preseason schedule:
| Week 1 | vs. Buccaneers | Aug. 8-12 (TBD) |
| Week 2 | vs. Chiefs | Aug. 15-19 (TBD) |
| Week 3 | at Titans | Aug. 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBC |
| Week 4 | at Panthers | Aug. 29 or 30 (TBD) |
MORE: Full 2019 NFL preseason schedule
Toughest tests: Finishing second in the AFC North last season forces the Steelers to face two strong AFC wild cards from last season in the Colts (home) and the Chargers (away). They can't avoid the Super Bowl-champion Patriots (away), either, as they also face the entire AFC East.
From the NFC West, the 1-2 punch of the NFC-champion Rams and the wild-card Seahawks come to Heinz Field. When including the two games against the reigning North champion Ravens, that's a whopping seven games against 2018 playoff teams.
Biggest breaks: The positive side of getting the AFC East and NFC West is five favorable games, stamped by the Dolphins (home) and Cardinals (away).
From a bird's-eye view, the Steelers have an OK strength of schedule overall, tied for the 12th-weakest (.496).
Bottom line: If you think the above two categories have the tabbed the Steelers for .500, you would be correct. This season screams inconsistency for Pittsburgh, especially with Cleveland set to pass it in the division. The team also will miss Antonio Brown more than it would like to admit.
For now, all signs point to another frustrating year with no playoffs for Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin. Record prediction: 8-8
