Three Biggest Games: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are burdened with the NFL’s toughest schedule by 2014 winning percentage this upcoming season. But for a team that has garnered a reputation for playing down to its competition, a season packed with playoff regulars and contending heavyweights should suit the Steelers just fine. Here are Pittsburgh’s three toughest opponents in season 2015.

Week 1 at New England Patriots

It seems only fitting that the toughest schedule in the league would begin with the defending Super Bowl champions on their home turf on opening night. Oh, and just for good measure, the Steelers will enter the unfriendly confines of Gillette Stadium minus their offensive juggernaut, Le’Veon Bell. In recent years, the season’s curtain-jerker has typically been a celebration of the champs, and goodness help whatever poor team was being led to the slaughter against them. But for the Steelers to cement themselves as title contenders once again, a ‘solid performance’ in week one simply won’t cut it.

Week 9 vs. Oakland Raiders

The Patriots they are not, but the Raiders pose an altogether different challenge for the Black and Gold. Once fierce rivals in the ‘70s, Pittsburgh and Oakland have now settled for trading blows only once every few years. Regardless, the lowly Raiders always play the Steelers with that same fire, and Pittsburgh has shown itself to rarely be ready for the challenge. Following what should be an emotionally charged week eight encounter against the Bengals (from whom the Steelers stole the AFC North title in 2014), Pittsburgh can’t afford to get too lax against a team sure to bring the hurt.

Week 16 @ Baltimore Ravens

The NFL’s most heated rivalry certainly needs no introduction, but 2015’s second encounter between the Steelers and Ravens is sure to have enormous playoff implications. In the final two weeks of the regular season, Pittsburgh faces division rivals Baltimore and Cleveland in back-to-away away games. Given the difficulty of their schedule up to that point, it’s hard to see the Steelers dropping both games and still finding a way into the playoffs. This primetime Sunday night blockbuster will be Pittsburgh’s first venture into Baltimore since suffering its first-ever playoff defeat at the claws of its arch nemesis. The fans will let them know it, and if the Steelers can’t keep them quiet, this one could get ugly.