Pittsburgh Steelers: Schedule, record prediction, X-factors for 2021 NFL season

Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 schedule, game-by-game predictions

Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills – L

Pittsburgh may be able to slow the Buffalo Bills down somewhat with Najee Harris. That will only get them so far, however, as their young and inexperienced offensive line will be put to the test early on the road in Buffalo. Also, the Steelers have not shown they have found an answer to their need at slot cornerback. Expect a high-scoring affair in this one, as the Bills are far better through the air than on the ground.

Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders – W

For the first time since 2019, the Steelers will be in a packed Heinz Field. Darren Waller may have a decent afternoon on the stat sheet, but Pittsburgh has enough firepower to send the Raiders back home with a loss. Their pass rush should be stiff enough to give Derek Carr fits when dropping back to pass.

Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals – W

The Steelers might have a tough time with Cincinnati’s revamped passing game but the Bengals also haven’t done enough to protect Joe Burrow in the trenches. Ja’Marr Chase is a fine wide receiver prospect but he can’t catch passes if the quarterback is flat on his back.

Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers – L

Unfortunately, the Steelers find themselves in Aaron Rodgers’s crosshairs. Everyone should expect Rodgers to go scorched Earth on the NFL after ghosting the Packers for most of the 2021 offseason. Still, a 2-2 start isn’t the worst thing for Pittsburgh.

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos – W

No matter who the Steelers face in terms of Denver quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock are two sides of the same coin that is no longer currency. That will hold the Broncos offense back and pave the way to a win at home.

Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks – W

What fun are predictions if bold takes don’t make an appearance? This could be one of the highest-scoring games of the season through six weeks. The offensive firepower on both sides is impressive, so it’s no wonder this game is in primetime. There will be fireworks but Pittsburgh will come out on top.

Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – W

Mike Tomlin’s club was humbled by the Browns in the playoffs last year, so they’ll be out for revenge. At Heinz Field, the energy should be high for the Steelers in a close, physical game. Tighten the chin straps for a brawl but Pittsburgh will get some level of revenge.

Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears – W

There is a near-zero chance Andy Dalton is still starting for the Bears by this time. Justin Fields will be a very good NFL quarterback someday, but there will be bumps along the way. The Steelers will throw everything they can at the young rookie, which will likely be too much for him to handle.

Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions – W

The Detroit Lions are at the very beginning of a team rebuild. Their day will come, but it will not be in Week 10. Pittsburgh should blow them off the field and the bigger question should be how wide the margin of victory is.

Week 11: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers – L

The Steelers are notoriously terrible when they play on the west coast. That trend will not end here. Justin Herbert is for real and the Chargers are on the rise. It will be a close game but Los Angeles will come out on top.

Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – L

It’s a long march to the end of the season and, while the Steelers won the first meeting, the Bengals are good enough to not get swept in the season series. Joe Burrow will have a big game while Joe Mixon will thrive against a tired defense.

Week 13: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens – W

Battles between the Steelers and Ravens are the classic affairs the NFL needs more of. Pittsburgh should bounce back and have enough in the tank to topple their AFC North rivals at home in their first meeting of the year.

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – W

The Minnesota Vikings pose very little threat to the quarterback inside the pocket. They just do not get pressure on the quarterback with regularity. Ben Roethlisberger should have a field day in this one, carrying the Steelers to victory.

Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans – W

A.J. Brown and Julio Jones could cause the Pittsburgh defense some problems. However, the Titans will not have enough pass rush to get after Roethlisberger consistently, which will allow the home team to come out on top in this game.

Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – L

Can the Steelers hang with the Kansas City Chiefs offense? The answer to that question is no. The Chiefs just have far too much firepower on offense for the Pittsburgh defense to contend with, especially playing in raucous Arrowhead Stadium.

Week 17: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns – L

In the rematch from earlier in the year, the Browns will get the best of the Steelers. Myles Garrett will have himself an afternoon and it will be too much for Pittsburgh to recover from.

Week 18: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – L

We rarely see the Steelers go on the road and win in Baltimore. That trend won’t be bucked in Week 18, meaning the black and gold will end the year with three straight losses in disappointing fashion.

Final Record Prediction: 10-7

The Pittsburgh Steelers will finish the 2021 season with a record of 10-7. Whether that is enough for a playoff berth remains to be seen.