The Pittsburgh Steelers' Toughest Tests For The 2024 NFL Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2024 NFL season with high hopes following their run to the postseason last year. No one expected them to make it to the playoffs after their three-game skid in December, especially because they're locked into arguably the toughest division in the entire league, the AFC North. 

However, the Steelers took full advantage of a Cincinnati Bengals side reeling from the loss of Joe Burrow to sneak into the playoffs as the conference's seventh seed. 

The upcoming campaign however, is one filled with uncertainty for those in the Steel City, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. Following the departure of Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Steelers have brought in not one, but two marquee QBs, both of whom however haven't managed to live up to expectations in recent years. 

Former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and ex-Chicago Bears signal-caller Justin Fields have both arrived in Pittsburgh, and it will be interesting to see how that duo fairs. With another blockbuster campaign just around the corner, the Steelers aren't considered genuine Lombardi Trophy contenders, with Bovada NFL lines pricing them as +3000 outsiders. 

So, with that being said, let's take a look at their toughest tests in 2024.

Dallas Cowboys

The 2024 campaign is very much a season of two halves for Mike Tomlin's men. The Steelers don't face a single AFC North rival until Week 11. Between then and the final week of the season, they will face all three divisional rivals twice in what looks to be the toughest end to the campaign for any side in the league. However, in the opening weeks of the season, there are plenty of opportunities for the Steelers to rack up victories. 

Pittsburgh is on the road for three of the opening four weeks of the campaign, but all of those road clashes - namely against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and the Indianapolis Colts - are all winnable. Then comes their first big test of the season in Week 5 as Pittsburgh welcomes the Dallas Cowboys to Acrisure Stadium.  

Led by quarterback Dak Prescott and Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas has consistently been one of the top offensive teams in the league, especially in the regular season. Their explosive offense, powered by the likes of wide receiving ace CeeDee Lamb, is capable of putting points on the board against any defense. Last season, the Cowboys finished as the second seed in the NFC with an impressive record of 12-5. 

For the Steelers, containing the Cowboys' high-octane offense will be crucial. The defense, anchored by T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, will need to apply relentless pressure on Prescott if they are to slow down the visitors' onslaught, while also covering a wide array of supplementary weapons in the Dallas arsenal. 

Offensively, the Steelers will look to exploit a Dallas defense that has shown vulnerability in recent seasons. Whichever quarterback is the starter at that point in the campaign will need to connect effectively with his receiving corps consisting of George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth, regularly picking up scores to keep pace with the opposition. 

Philadelphia Eagles

In the weeks that follow that clash, further winnable clashes are on the horizon against the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. Outside of their AFC North commitments, the Steelers' next major test comes against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. 

Philadelphia has been a monster in recent campaigns and the Lincoln Financial Field stadium has become somewhat of a fortress. 

Led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and Head Coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles have become a genuine powerhouse in the NFC, reaching the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, as well as securing another trip to the postseason last term. 

The dual-threat ability of their former Oklahoma Sooner under center makes Hurts a nightmare for opposing defenses. He can beat teams with both his arms and legs and if that wasn't bad enough, he is capable of the spectacular, especially under pressure as he displayed at Super Bowl LVII. Additionally, the secondary must be alert to the threat posed by receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown out wide. 

On offense, the Steelers need to be aware of the tenacious Eagles' defense featuring star defenders Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay. Protecting Fields or Wilson will be paramount, especially at the Linc. 

Kansas City Chiefs

The Steelers close out their regular season with consecutive home games against two AFC heavyweights. The first of those comes in the form of a Christmas Day clash against the reigning back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs. 

Led by the mercurial Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid, KC is a perennial contender, and next season is no different. The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in history to complete the threepeat and with Mahomes' uncanny ability to extend plays and make pinpoint throws under pressure, that may very well come to fruition.