I honestly don’t know why I do this year after year. Maybe I’m just hoping that my influence will rub off on the NFL powers that be but I know that ain’t happening. At the end of the day maybe my more cynical side wants to see if I can nail the exact moment in the schedule where the NFL screws over the Steelers. It happens at least once every year right? Anyway, on to my predictions of the 2021 17-game schedule.
NOTE: Remember the Steelers will host the Seahawks in 17th game this season giving them nine home games and eight away games. That will reverse next season.
Week One: @Cincinnati – The Steelers haven’t opened at home since 2014. Why stop now? Plus, I think the league really wants those Baltimore and Cleveland games for later in the season now.
Week Two: Las Vegas – We always seem to get west coast teams into Heinz Field early. Chuckie arrives on the hot seat.
Week Three: Denver – Will it be Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater or maybe… Aaron Rodgers at QB for the Broncos?
Week Four: @Minnesota – The Steelers haven’t played in Minnesota since 2005. That season ended up pretty well.
*Week Five: Tennessee – Two former Alabama running backs will collide in this one.
Week Six: BYE WEEK
Week Seven: @LA Chargers – No Duck Hodges this time as the Steelers make their first trip to the new stadium in LA.
#Week Eight: Baltimore – Big Al and his new Ravens’ teammates come to town for the first of two slobberknockers.
Week Nine: @Kansas City – It’s been a few years since we went to Arrowhead so fire up the grills for what should be a classic.
Week Ten: Seattle – This is where Seahawks’ fans will cry all week about how Super Bowl XL was stolen from them.
Week Eleven: Cincinnati – Will Joe Burrow still be playing? He’s got plenty of weapons but what about his protection?
%Week Twelve: @Cleveland – I figure by this time Browns’ fans will have already ordered replica Super Bowl rings.
Week Thirteen: Detroit – This game is what I like to call the “Dick LeBeau Bowl.” Where he played versus where he coached.
#Week Fourteen: @Buffalo – The Steelers were physically humbled by the Bills last year. Things better improve.
Week Fifteen: @Green Bay – Late season… Lambeau… Big Ben… Jordan Love????
Week Sixteen: Chicago – Cue up all of those images of Jerome Bettis steamrolling Brian Urlacher.
Week Seventeen: Cleveland – Browns return to the scene of their biggest win since the 1950’s.
Week Eighteen: @Baltimore – Is the division title on the line? MVP battle between T.J. Watt and Lamar Jackson? Or maybe, it’s to see how mad we can make John Harbaugh.
Alright, there it is. I usually get one or two correct. We shall see.
# = Sunday Night Football, % = Thursday Night Football, * = Monday Night Football
