The Pittsburgh Steelers learned the full details of their 2024 schedule on Wednesday, allowing them to begin preparations for what the upcoming campaign will look like. Pittsburgh already knew that they were approaching a 2024 season with one of the hardest strength of schedules in the league, but things got more challenging from there. With their divisional games coming late and a brutal three-game stretch defining the final weeks of the season, not everyone is pleased about how things ended up.
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Steelers Owner Art Rooney II.
It isn't at all unusual to see coaches arguing with the officials or for players to be frustrated with the league for handing down fines, and according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, the same happens with the schedule. As the schedule was leaked throughout the day on Wednesday, Florio joined 93.7 The Fan to give some insight into the situation. Florio was asked by Chris Mueller whether teams give the league office any grief over the slate of games given, and the NBC host pulled back the curtain a bit.
"Oh, I think they complain about everything. They complain before, they complain after. Beforehand, they try to get themselves a more advantageous schedule, and then once they get the schedule, they complain about the things that happen. That's one of the main functions of the league office, is just to be the recipient of endless complaints from teams about everything. In the season, it's officiating calls, and, yeah, out of the season, it's, 'We want this, this, this, this for our schedule,' and then it's 'We didn't get this, this, this, how dare you.'"
Florio could have a point, considering that the Steelers may have reason to complain after seeing what awaits them. After spending the 2024 offseason making major upgrades to their roster on both sides of the ball, the Steelers will be given every opportunity to put their rebuilt squad to the test. Along with boasting one of the NFL's most difficult schedules in 2024, the makeup of their season sets the stage for more than a few challenges.
Pittsburgh kicks off its 2024 campaign by going on the road for the first three of four matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Not only does that put two emotionally charged revenge games back-to-back to open the schedule, but a healthy Anthony Richardson and the Colts will also be a daunting task.
The Steelers are in one of the most competitive divisions in the entire NFL, which makes every single meeting a vital, impactful one. Pittsburgh won't even start their divisional games until Week 11 in mid-November of 2024. While some see the late batch of AFC North games as a way of giving the team time to become a cohesive unit, there is also the tendency for Pittsburgh's divisional matchups to become brutal and bloody. For a team that spent most of 2023 injured and frustrated, putting a slew of AFC North games at the tail end of the 2024 schedule could end up determining if the Steelers reach the playoffs or limp there.
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Quarterback Anthony Richardson in the tunnel before an Indianapolis Colts' game.
Steelers Close Out 2024 In Brutal Fashion
The Steelers already have plenty to be frustrated about regarding their 2024 schedule. As if the lead-up to the homestretch of Pittsburgh's 2024 season wasn't challenging enough, an intimidating series of three games could end up being the determining factor in whether the Steelers succeed or fail. Not only do they have to play the Philadelphia Eagles (Week 15), Baltimore Ravens (Week 16), and Kansas City Chiefs (Week 17) in succession, they will be traveling to Philadelphia and Baltimore.
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Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt celebrate a turnover against the Baltimore Ravens.
After taking on two elite NFL teams, the Eagles and Ravens, the Steelers will face the defending Super Bowl champions. Pittsburgh's late-season matchup against the Chiefs will be festive, as it will occur at 1 p.m. ET on Christmas Day at home. There is no better way for an NFL team to determine whether they have been successful in upgrading their roster than to go head-to-head with the best team in the league. After Week 17, the 2024 Steelers will have a much better idea of who they are and how successful they have the ability to be.
What concerns you the most about the Steelers' 2024 schedule? Comment below!
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