The 2023 NFL schedule was released a few weeks ago. Fans of all 32 teams are already starting to make predictions, some good and some bad, regarding their teams’ matchups for 2023. The Pittsburgh Steelers went 9-8 last year and are looking to improve this year and make the playoffs. Their schedule does not look terribly difficult but there could very well be some challenges. The AFC North is always a tough, competitive division, and the Steelers will surely have their hands full this upcoming season.
The Nine Hardest Games on the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Schedule
The Steelers 2023 campaign will be a prove-it year for many of the players. Kenny Pickett will look to make big strides and try to further cement the idea that he’s the franchise quarterback. Plus, many players like Alex Highsmith, Allen Robinson, and Diontae Johnson will all be looking to make some noise, whether it’s for a contract extension or to shush productivity concerns. Regardless, the Steelers will embark on a 17-game season filled with both ups and downs and we can only predict, not tell, what will happen during the long season.
This list is part two of a two-part article series. This piece will list the Steelers nine hardest games in order of supposed difficulty. The next piece will list the Steelers eight easiest games in a similar order. As one would guess, Pittsburgh will play six divisional games, all of which are in the top nine. They’ll also play the entire AFC South, NFC West, and both the Raiders and Packers. Let’s now get to the list and see how the Steelers could fare in 2023.
The Hardest Games, Ranked 1-9 (1 Hardest, 9 “Easiest” Hard Game)
#1-Away at Cincinnati Bengals, Week 12
The Pittsburgh Steelers most difficult game of the year should be in Cincinnati against the Bengals. The team has finished in the top two of the AFC for two straight years and they shouldn’t lose any momentum. A team that got better in the offseason, right after losing the AFC Championship game, isn’t one to be messed with. The Bengals have beaten the Steelers in four of the last five attempts and things may not get any easier for Pittsburgh here.
#2-Home vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 16
Again, it’s another matchup with the perennial powerhouse Bengals who should make a deep playoff run. This time, the two teams match up in Pittsburgh the day before Christmas Eve. It could be a close game given the bitter cold of Pittsburgh winters. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers take one of two games from division rival Cincy, despite having one of the best offenses in the NFL behind Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
#3-Away at Baltimore Ravens, Week 18
Surprise…another divisional game is going to be hard for the Steelers! But this is not really a surprise, because AFC North football is always tough and games are generally low-scoring, physically-demanding games. The Steelers close out the season in Baltimore in what will likely be a high-stakes matchup between two playoff-hungry teams. Baltimore will certainly come together with a big crowd if it’s a big game, and the Steelers will have no easy tasks on offense with an always-solid-and-pesky Baltimore defense.
#4-Home vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 8
Just one week after coming back from the bye week, the Steelers will host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are fresh off of an AFC South title and their offense looks better than last year’s. The team came back from a near 30-point deficit in the Wild Card round and only lost by seven to the eventual Super Bowl Champion the next week. The Jags are now a good team and will run away with the weak AFC South, and the Steelers will certainly have their hands full in Week 8.
#5-Away at Cleveland Browns, Week 11
This game will mark the first matchup between the Steelers and the Browns’ new quarterback, Deshaun Watson, in Cleveland. The two teams squared off in Pittsburgh to end the year last year and will square off in Pittsburgh again earlier this year. This could be an enticing game in the back half of the year and could feature two of the NFL’s best rushing offenses.
#6-Away at Seattle Seahawks, Week 17
The Seahawks were the biggest surprise of last year, breaking out from a 5-12 season in 2021 to a playoff team in 2022. Geno Smith had a great year at quarterback and the team still has some fantastic weapons on both sides of the ball. This game will truly be a test for the Steelers on New Year’s Eve, especially if Seattle fans show up and have something to be excited for. This could be a high-stakes and high-power matchup for two teams who could be making playoff pushes at that time of year.
#7-Home vs San Francisco 49ers, Week 1
The 49ers are arguably the best team from last year on the Steelers schedule, but injuries and questions/concerns make this a more winnable game for Pittsburgh. San Francisco has some fantastic, balanced players on both sides of the ball that will make any game difficult. But there are many questions about who will be starting at quarterback, with both Brock Purdy and Trey Lance returning from season-ending injuries, and neither necessarily flaunting a wealth of skills. I expect the Steelers to use some momentum and drive to win this season-opening game, but it won’t be easy when going up against stars like Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa.
T8-Home vs Baltimore Ravens, Week 5 + T8-Home vs Cleveland Browns, Week 2
The Steelers get two early-season home games against divisional rivals. The Steelers went 1-1 against each of the Ravens and Browns last year and look to make a better mark in 2023. It’s hard to tell what will happen in these early games but all three teams will be trying to discover their offensive identities. It will certainly be two tough games for the three teams and I expect both games to be lower-scoring. Because the two teams are so similar, it’s hard to say which one will be harder, which is why there’s a tie for the final spot.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
