The Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt an extremely rough hand when it comes to the 2024 schedule. The organization already knew that the opponents were going to be tough, but the final stretch of the season in November and December is absolutely brutal. Not only does the franchise have to play all six AFC North teams in the final eight weeks, but the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are also mixed in during that time period. It's going to take a very strong first half of the year and an even better second half if Mike Tomlin and co. would like to be back in the playoffs.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the grounds at Acrisure Stadium as his team warms up prior to a 2022 preseason matchup in Pittsburgh, PA.
What's fascinating about the last eight weeks of the regular season isn't just the teams that the Steelers have to go up against; it's the quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes are all extremely talented. While Jackson is the reigning MVP, Mahomes is without a doubt the best signal-caller in the league.
To make matters worst for Pittsburgh, Mahomes and his squad will travel to the Steel City for a Christmas Day matchup. This will be the second straight season that the Kansas City Chiefs are competing on the holiday. The Las Vegas Raiders went to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and knocked off the Chiefs in a shocking upset, winning by a score of 20-14 in 2023
On Wednesday, Mahomes spoke to the media and a reporter was curious about which game he might already have circled on his calendar after the schedule was released. It's safe to say that he's coming for the Steelers and ready to put the 2023 performance behind him.
"Imma try to be better on Christmas, cause last year Christmas was not great," Mahomes said as the media gallery bursted out in laughter.
Against the Raiders, Mahomes was 27 of 44, but only threw for 235 yards with a touchdown and interception each. He also fumbled, but it did not result in a turnover. It was one of the more surprising defeats of the season and many believed that Kansas City wouldn't be able to get past it heading into the playoffs. The organization went on to win the Super Bowl anyway.
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets ready to release the ball out of his hand as two Steelers defenders close in on him during a professional football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
Mahomes has essentially owned the Steelers throughout his career. Although the regular season has a small sample size, he is 2-0 with a whopping nine touchdowns in the two meetings. He also sent Ben Roethlisberger packing in his final playoff game ever when the Chiefs dismantled Pittsburgh, 42-21. Mahomes had over 400 yards passing to go along with five touchdowns.
Overall, that's a 3-0 record for Mahomes versus the Steelers. Having 14 touchdowns passes in those matchups is utterly ridiculous. It won't come easy on Christmas in 2024, either, as the quarterback has already made it clear he has the game circled on his calendar. Fans around the world will be watching with it being the only professional football game on at 1:00 that day. TJ Watt and co. will have their hands full.
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Steelers stars TJ Watt (#90) and Cameron Heyward (#97) stretch prior to a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Won't Have Any Excuses For Tough Schedule
Cut your eyelids off, as Tomlin says. Don't blink. Pittsburgh's roster will have to be laser-focused the entire 2024 campaign. The back half of the schedule is certainly harder, but games early in the year aren't cakewalks, either. This is going to seriously tests Tomlin's incredible ability to get the best out of his players. It's going to be a tough season from a schedule's perspective, but the goal remains the same in the Steel City.
Do you think the Steelers have a chance to be the Chiefs on Christmas? Let us know in the comments below!
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