Major Storylines for Every Steelers Game This Season
Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @JaysonErwin2002
The 2022-23 season for the Steelers is looking to be one for the ages. A new generation of players has joined the team looking to capture the 7th ring for the franchise. Can they have the same impact as the great legends of the past? From Pickett to Roethlisberger, Harris to Bell, and Johnson to Brown. It's completely new territory for the Steel City, and with that comes storylines to contemplate for each game of the upcoming season. From winless records, a new generation of talent for both sides, and just rising stars meeting rising stars, the 2022 season is to be filled with stories to follow each week.
Steelers vs. Bengals Week 1 and Week 10: Next Generation in the North
The Steelers are faced with an imposing task in the reigning AFC Champs, the Bengals, not once but twice. These aren't the Bengals of old, no, these are revamped and rebuilt cats. The combined talent of QB Joe Burrow, RB Joe Mixon, & WR Ja'Marr Chase, makes for a deadly trio about as scary as the Killer B's were in 2017. Roethlisberger wasn't able to keep up and lost both games versus Cincy last season, but could a new face complete the task? Trubisky or Pickett are battling it out for 1st-string QB, but it's unknown what they can bring to the table as they are both in their 1st year in the black & gold. Any chance they could get the W? It will be a challenge no doubt, but never count out the Steelers.
Steelers vs. Patriots Week 2: No Brady, No Problem?
The AFC rivalry between the Steelers vs. Patriots is often a heartbreaker for the Steelers, as the Patriots have become infamous for breaking the Steelers hopes for their 7th Lombardi trophy. Specifically, Tom Brady. Tom Brady is 3-0 vs the Steelers in the postseason. And who can forget the infamous 2017 matchup? (Kinda wish I could, honestly) If we're only counting matchups after Brady was drafted, the Steelers are 4-12 against the Patriots, including playoffs. But Brady moved to Tampa Bay in 2020 so the Steelers are looking to take down the new pairing of QB Mac Jones & HC Bill Belichick this year, which would be major bragging rights within the AFC and a huge wave of momentum for the Steelers. The Patriots are a team to beat in the AFC....but could an embarrassing loss to the Bills in the playoffs and a subpar draft set New England back?
Steelers vs. Browns Week 3 and Week 17: New QB, Same Domination?
It's unreal to think how far the Browns have come since going 0-16 in 2017. They are no longer a laughing stock but a truly competitive team and it makes the AFC North a very competitive division. Even with the rumors that their new QB DeShaun Watson may not play. Even without Watson, the Browns are still dangerous. A good line, a young and hungry defense, and an elite running back group, keep the Browns as a threat in the North. But the Browns kryptonite throughout the years has been recently-retired QB, Ben Roethlisberger. Ben is 25-3-1 vs. the Browns -- and even at one point was the winningest QB in FirstEnergy Stadium, the Browns home stadium. But now that Ben is gone, can the next QB keep up the same domination as Ben did? Whether it be Pickett or Trubisky, it will be interesting to see.
Steelers vs. Jets Week 4: AFC Championship Rematch from Way Back When
11 years ago, the Steelers vs. Jets had an iconic AFC Championship game. It would be the third AFC Championship win for Ben Roethlisberger and also would be his last. The Steelers were dominant in the first half ending it 24-3, but the Jets began to rally and were only down 24-19 and had all 3 timeouts before the next Steelers drive. The Steelers needed to outlast the Jets rally to be able to make it to the Super Bowl. It was 3rd & 6. The Jets had no more timeouts and a first down wins the game. Ben Roethlisberger threw to rookie wide receiver Antonio Brown for the first down, and this play would be one of the few big plays Ben and Brown would make together for the next 6 years. It was a great game and it should be a great game in week 4 considering the Jets made some strong offseason moves and look to try to regain their legitimacy in the AFC.
Steelers @ Bills Week 5: Star vs. Rising Star
The Bills are Super Bowl contenders going into the 2022 season, led by their QB Josh Allen and formidable defense. They made it to the playoffs the last 3 years and have looked stronger every year. The last time these teams faced off was an unexpected win by the Steelers last year in week 1, winning 23-16. The Steelers are an improving team in the AFC, looking to solidify their case as a team to take seriously and it would help out with a win in Buffalo against the Bills. Maybe this will be rising star Kenny Pickett's time to shine?
Steelers vs. Buccaneers Week 6: Burgh vs. Brady
Going back to the earlier discussion with the Steelers vs. Tom Brady, the Steelers will take on the Buccaneers at Heinz Field. The home-field advantage will help out with the Steelers winning against Brady 3 times at home of the 4 wins the Steelers have vs. Brady. And an interesting point to bring up is that Brady hasn't faced the Steelers since early 2019, and a lot has changed since then. TJ Watt has improved every year and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was acquired later on in 2019. Could multiple x-factors against Brady topple him and the Bucs? This will be the hottest ticket all year.
Steelers @ Dolphins Week 7: Minkah vs. Miami
Steeler Nation's gotta love Miami for the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The black and gold got a gamechanger for the defense and just recently signed him to a big contract that keeps him around for a while. In week 7, the Steelers travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins, a team looking to improve in the AFC East. The last time the Steelers faced the Dolphins was a midseason matchup that the Steelers won 27-14, and Minkah Fitzpatrick yanked the ball out of the air twice from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now times have changed. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa now has a fast and elite receiver in Tyreek Hill to throw to. Should be another great game. AND it's on Monday Night Football!
Steelers @ Eagles Week 8: Battle For Pennsylvania
It's always an interesting time when the two teams of Pennsylvania face off given the history of the two franchises that used to be two teams combined during the days of World War II, called the Steagles. Since 2000, the Steelers and Eagles have seemed to face off every 4 years. But the 4-year, 20-year streak, ends this season as the last time they faced off was 2020 -- and it was a huge game for a certain rookie receiver by the name of Chase Claypool, who had a 4 total touchdown game. Claypool has recently claimed he is a top 3 receiver in the league. A bold claim indeed! If he can play every game like he played the last time he faced Philly, it would be a well-aged claim by Claypool.
Steelers vs. Saints Week 11: Tomlin vs. New Orleans
Mike Tomlin has revered as one of the best head coaches of all time and while it is true, there is a blotch on his record. He has never won against the Saints. He is 0-3 vs. the Saints. But with Sean Payton retired from HC duties and the Saints having QB controversies, this could very well be the first time Tomlin can be on the winning side vs. New Orleans. Now with that being easier said than done, it's still gonna be competitive with WR Michael Thomas returning to action and Pro Bowl back Alvin Kamara posing as a huge threat to a struggling Steelers run game. Can Tomlin clean the blotch on his record and finally beat the Saints or will the Saints continue their undefeated record against one of the best coaches of all time?
Steelers @ Colts Week 12: Steelers vs. Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan was acquired by the Colts to assist their QB situation in hopes Ryan can re enter MVP form from 2016. The only problem is that Matt Ryan has never been able to beat the Steelers before. They have faced off thrice, each time ending with the Steelers winning. The last time they faced off, the Steelers dominated in a 2018 matchup winning 41-17. But now Ryan is on a whole new team with arguably the best running back in the league, Jonathan Taylor. And the last time they faced the Colts, Taylor ran 74 yards and 2 touchdowns. Can a defense that was the worst in the league last year against the run stop Taylor?
Steelers @ Falcons Week 13: Pickett vs. Ridder
The 2022 NFL Draft wasn't short on QB talent and the first two QBs selected were Kenny Pickett 20th overall, and Desmond Ridder 74th overall. The Steelers and Falcons QB room are a lot similar when you look at it. Experienced, but still young QB's in the background, while the rookie develops that won't cost as much compared to other QBs aka Mitchell Trubisky and Marcus Mariota. The rookies Pickett and Ridder may not start immediately, but probably late in the season, it'll be likely they will be starters. The two never faced off head to head and Pickett had infinitely better stats in college, so it could be a one-sided matchup. Plus add in the fact that Falcons #1 receiver Calvin Ridley is suspended for the season, we won't be able to see the Falcons offense at full strength.
Steelers vs. Ravens Week 14, 16: Lamar Jackson vs. Steelers
Lamar Jackson has started 3 games vs. the Steelers and his stats aren't exactly good. Jackson is 1-2 against Pittsburgh. Though he won his first game vs. the Steelers, he threw 3 interceptions and took 5 sacks. In the 2 losses, he threw a total of 3 interceptions and 3 touchdowns. He has more interceptions versus touchdowns against the Steelers, and Jackson has struggled more against them compared to other teams. And in a contract year, Jackson has a lot to prove against the Steelers. It's gonna be very interesting to see if the Steelers have any effect on Lamar Jackson's contract.
Steelers @ Panthers Week 15: Pickett vs. Corral
Another rookie QB matchup, and this time it's between Kenny Pickett and 94th overall pick Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. Matt Corral will have to compete with Sam Darnold, and there are also rumors the Panthers may trade for Browns QB Baker Mayfield. Matt Corral has a lot to prove as he has vast competition. Pickett and Corral have similar roles on the roster though, both complemented by an elite back and have a great duo of receivers to throw to. The difference between these two though, is Pickett is looked at as the successor for Ben Roethlisberger, as the Panthers have been searching for answers at QB since Cam Newton got injured and struggled with shoulder issues.
Steelers vs. Raiders Week 16: Rising Stars in the AFC
The Raiders have been improving this offseason in a big way and one of the prime examples was the trade for the best receiver in the league, Davante Adams from Green Bay. Plus you have a veteran QB, Derek Carr, and star running back Josh Jacobs, the Raiders are moving in the right way to become a premier team in the league. The AFC West is becoming a very competitive division with the Chiefs riding with QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce, the Chargers rising with QB Justin Herbert, and the Broncos acquiring QB Russell Wilson, the wild west has arrived. The Steelers are about on the same level as the Raiders. They are upstarts in the AFC and a win against the other would build a ton of momentum considering it's one of the last games of the season before they potentially go into the postseason.
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