Final Steelers Game by Game Predictions

Week 6: Steelers vs. Buccaneers:

On paper, the Buccaneers have the most talented team in the league. Tom Brady with Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Julio Jones?! Just be glad it's not 2017. Now the Steelers can give the Bucs a fight but with an old enemy in Leonard Fournette always giving the Steelers run game a tough time and the fact that Brady has more often than not, had the Steelers number. The Steelers though could take advantage of the retirement of young lineman Ali Marpet with a good pass rush and give Brady a hard time. It could be a good game to watch especially with it being in Pittsburgh.

The Prediction:

The game could be an exciting but frustrating one to watch because no matter how good our team is, Brady has always found a way. With Myles Jack being the linebacker now and TJ Watt being dangerous as ever, pressure on Brady will be likely but you can't deny the talent on the Bucs roster. It'll be an exciting game to watch but I don't see it being an easy one. Not in the least.

Record: 3-3

Week 7: Steelers @ Dolphins:

The Dolphins made a big move trading for Tyreek Hill. And now they arguably have the fastest receiving duo in Jaylen Waddle and Hill. Once again, I feel pass rush is imminent for the Steelers. You can't give Tua enough time to make a play with the electrifying playmaker, Tyreek Hill. Heyward and Watt could be the biggest players of the game going into Miami. Plus it's a revenge game for former player Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive assistant Brian Flores who was previously fired after getting the Dolphins from a 1-7 to a 9-8 record. Should give him a lot of fire to beat the team that fired him. 

The Prediction:

While the Dolphins have a talented roster and could be a tough team to beat in Miami, the Steelers have been elite in pass rush and if they get to Tua fast enough before Tyreek or Waddle to make a play, that's the game the Steelers want and will win.

Record: 4-3

Week 8: Steelers @ Eagles:

A Pennsylvania matchup between the Steelers and Eagles in Philly. In what could be a great matchup when Jalen Hurts meets the Steeler D, the Eagles may have the advantage with home field and Hurts becoming a premiere QB in the league. With the addition of AJ Brown and Miles Sanders in the backfield, Steelers could be in trouble. AJ Brown last time he faced the Steelers had over 100 yards and a touchdown and now he has a better quarterback at the helm. Jalen Hurts though, has never faced the Steelers as a starter so it could be interesting to see how he performs.

The Prediction:

The Steelers have a lot of work to do when it comes to handling the Eagles offense. And if history means anything, the Steelers haven't beat the Eagles in Philly since 1965. The Steelers will put up a fight but the Eagles have a very talented team and are favorites to win the NFC East The Steelers will have their hands full when they travel to Philadelphia. 

Record: 4-4

BYE WEEK: Week 9

Week 10: Steelers vs. Saints:

The Saints have been an interesting team, to say the least. Jameis Winston is the starting QB, their starting WR didn't play a game last year, and Kamara, their running back, got into off-field trouble for assault after the Pro Bowl. But the defense is resurging and becoming one of the best in the league, at least. Veteran Saints linemen Cameron Jordan, talented corner Marshon Lattimore, and the new safety Tyrann Mathieu. A defensive game is expected with multiple defensive playmakers on both sides.

The Prediction:

The Saints have also never lost to the Steelers under Mike Tomlin and Tomlin has a key opportunity in week 10. Drew Brees? Gone. Sean Payton? Gone. Away? In Pittsburgh. This is a golden opportunity for Mike Tomlin. And it's one Tomlin will take.

Record: 5-4

Week 11: Steelers vs. Bengals:

The Steelers have another competitive matchup with the Bengals and this time in Pittsburgh. It'll be more competitive than week 1 now that both teams are set in their seasons at this point. That's good and bad news for the Steelers because if Burrow is in sync with his receivers then he's practically unstoppable. The Steelers will have to do a lot to contain the new, fresh Bengals team. 

The Prediction:

The Steelers had a tough time containing the Bengals even at home last year. The Steelers should be a lot more competitive now at home and in midseason form. But the Bengals have a lot of talent to be denied. It'll be a close game to start it off but the Bengals will pull through in the end.

Record: 5-5

Week 12: Steelers @ Colts:

The Colts haven't been able to beat the Steelers since 2008, or if we're talking in Indianapolis, 2005. The Colts have the weapons to succeed with arguably the best running back in the league, Jonathan Taylor, and a talented defense. The new QB for Indy is Falcons veteran QB, Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan has never beaten Pitt sporting an 0-3 record vs. the black and gold. But can a new team and #1 receiver in Michael Pittman change Ryan back to his elite QB status?

The Prediction:

Ryan may be better with this team but nothing much will change now that he has a defense that can back him up and an elite run game he was lacking towards the end of his time in Atlanta. But Matt Ryan has been on a decline for the past few years with 11+ interception seasons three times in a row and hasn't been in the playoffs since 2017. The offensive line may help Ryan out but they can't throw the ball. If the Steelers can hold Taylor down, the Steelers could very well come away with the dub.

Record: 6-5

Week 13: Steelers @ Falcons:

The Steelers haven't lost to the Falcons since 2006. The last time the Steelers faced Mariota, he threw 4 interceptions and got sacked 5 times. And that defense wasn't as good as the one we have now. The Falcons offensive line being lackluster doesn't help Mariota. And Calvin Ridley is suspended for the year? This is a game where the Steelers defense can shut up any doubters. 

The Prediction:

This game rests on how the Steelers play and if Tomlin breaks the tradition of playing down to inferior competition. If the Steelers can handle Cordarrelle Patterson, this game will go to the Steelers.

Record: 7-5

Week 14: Steelers vs. Ravens:

The Steelers and Ravens face off in Pittsburgh in another chapter in the best rivalry in football, cry me a river Packers-Bears, Cowboys-Eagles fans. Every game between the Ravens and Steelers is true AFC North football. Physical, gritty, and always entertaining to watch. Lamar Jackson in a contract year is facing a team he seems to struggle against. As a starter, he is 1-2 vs. the Steelers. He has been sacked 4+ times every game and has never had a positive TD-INT ratio vs. Pittsburgh. The Ravens aren't giving Lamar a lot of tools to succeed by trading away Marquise Brown and not having an elite receiver to catch his throws. He does have Mark Andrews at the tight end position but that's about it. 

The Prediction:

The game will be at Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium and it's likely the Steelers will make it challenging for the Ravens to get going. The Steelers have shown they can handle Jackson as a thrower and rusher and the fact he doesn't have an elite receiver to back him up isn't going to make it any easier. If the Steelers can cover Andrews and contain JK Dobbins and keep the other receivers in check, the Steelers can keep the Ravens down.

Record: 8-5

Week 15: Steelers @ Panthers:

Baker Mayfield will face off against his former rivals in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mayfield has always been a curious case versus the Steelers. He was never bad but wasn't ever perfect. He's thrown a good amount of touchdowns, not a ton of interceptions, but has been sacked at least once every game he's played vs. the Steelers. Now in Carolina, with Christian McCaffrey in the backfield and DJ Moore & Robbie Anderson to throw to so he has a good offense surrounding him so the new starting QB job is his to lose. And at Carolina, it'll be an interesting game to see.

The Prediction:

The Carolina offense has bright spots but their more dim spots are the offensive line and Mayfield has been brought down by the Steelers 29 times so the Steelers know how to get to him. The game could come down to how Mayfield plays and if that's the case, the Steelers could have this one.

Record: 9-5

Week 16: Steelers vs. Raiders

In the last two meetings against the Steelers, the Raiders have proven that they can beat the Steelers on the road or at home. And with this being a very talented Raiders team featuring QB Derek Carr, TE Darren Waller, RB Josh Jacobs, and the newest addition and arguably the best receiver in the league, Davante Adams. The Steelers have struggled recently against the Raiders. In the last 10 years, the Steelers are 1-4 against them, with the Raiders winning the last 2 meetings. 

The Prediction:

Being at home may help the Steelers and give them a boost and make the game closer but with all the talent the Raiders have developed over the years, they'll be very hard to stop. And with a rising star-filled defensive line against the struggling Steelers offensive line, it could be a rare Steelers home loss.

Record: 9-6

Week 17: Steelers @ Ravens:

Well, that was fast. 3 weeks after the first encounter of the Ravens vs. Steelers, the Steelers will travel to Baltimore in their final away game of the year. And for the people thinking that being in Baltimore will make a difference, the Ravens are 1-4 in their last 5 home meetings vs. the Steelers. Not much changes. Always anyone's game when the Steelers and Ravens face off. And this will be no different. Another hard-hitting Steelers and Ravens game and this one could very well decide some playoff standings.

The Prediction:

Lamar Jackson hasn't beat the Steelers in Baltimore as a starter and I don't see that happening. The Ravens aren't giving Lamar enough tools to succeed. What's he gonna do? Throw to Mark Andrews play? With Myles Jack starting at linebacker, it'll be much more difficult. No disrespect to the receivers in Baltimore but none have elite receiver stats. The Steelers for the third straight year will sweep the Ravens.

Record: 10-6

Week 18: Steelers vs. Browns

This game will have a few deciding factors. If the Steelers are in a position where they were already in the playoffs, will they rest their starters? Or will they let them play? Or will the Steelers NEED to win this game to make the playoffs or possibly win the division? It's hard to answer these questions because we won't know the records of other teams. DeShaun Watson will be back at this point and I don't see the Browns making the playoffs this year so essentially they will have nothing to lose this game. Watson in his first, and only game vs. the Steelers had a good game with 2 passing touchdowns but took a lot of punishment. 5 sacks plus an interception. But with Watson behind a good line, will he be able to succeed and be more comfortable in the pocket in the season finale in Pittsburgh?

The Prediction:

At the current record, the Steelers sit at, I don't see them resting their starters, though it's a possibility, it's not very likely. The Steelers might either try to get a better spot in the playoffs or just try to keep momentum. The Browns have a lot of weapons to use but who knows how Watson will perform considering he hasn't played a down since 2020. The Browns will put up a fight but the Steelers will be the ones to finish it.

Final Record: 11-6