This month, Last Word on Pro Football will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Pittsburgh Steelers easiest games are the focus.
Pittsburgh Steelers Easiest Games in 2017
9. Week Six At Kansas City Chiefs
A road trip to Kansas City is going to be tough no matter what. However, it may be easier than it appears this season with a weaker than anticipated Kansas City Chiefs team. This is a team at an impasse as an organization. They let go of their general manager weeks after letting go of Jeremy Maclin. Their G.M. was there long enough to trade a ton to invest in quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs appear to be looking towards the future, and while it will be a tougher game, it should be easier than portrayed.
10. Week 10 at Indianapolis
A trip to take on Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts should be viewed as tough. However, this is a game coming off of a bye week for the Steelers. It also may be a game without Luck. Luck has yet to be cleared to throw after having surgery on a torn labrum. Until his status is certain, the Colts may have to be looked at in a different light.
11. Week Eight at Detroit
The Lions made the playoffs last season, but they should be a team expected to regress in 2017. The team did not do enough to take a step forward on defense, and their starting left tackle Taylor Decker is expected to still be out by the time Week Eight comes around.
12. Week Two vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Steelers get what should be a good defense in Minnesota. However, the question will be what kind of offense will the Vikings have by week two? The Steelers should be able to score some, and with it being at home, it looks like a winnable game.
13. Week Three At Chicago Bears
The Bears will not have their quarterback situation sorted out by Week Three. It will be Mike Glennon, but it will be a huge question as to how good he is and how prepared he can be. Even with it being in Chicago, it sets up to be a winnable game.
14. Week Five Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have a great defense, and they just drafted a potential work horse running back. However, they still have that huge hole at quarterback. The Steelers have historically been great at confusing quarterbacks in their first game against them, and this should be no different with Blake Bortles.
15. Week One at Cleveland Browns
Every year, Steelers fans almost always pencil in two wins. Over the past twenty times, the Steelers and Brown have met, the Steelers have won 17. To their benefit, they are 3-7 in their last ten at home against the Steelers. Still, the 70% historical losing mark suggests this is a winnable game for Pittsburgh.
16. Week 17 at Cleveland Browns
The Steelers open with a potential win against the Browns and close with the same fate. The last time the Browns won in Pittsburgh was 2003. Since Heinz Field opened in 2002, the Browns are 1-16 in that building. It is tough to not just give the win to the Steelers at this point.
Be sure to check out the Pittsburgh Steelers most difficult games in 2017 as well.
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