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. Pittsburgh went 9-8 last year and are looking to improve this year and make the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers schedule does not look terribly difficult but there could very well be some challenges. However, the team will play a weaker schedule against some teams who won’t have much success, such as in the AFC South or NFC West divisions.
The Eight Easiest 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 Pittsburgh Steelers will embark on a 17-game schedule filled with both ups and downs and we can only predict, not tell, what will happen during the long season.
This list is part one of a two-part article series. This piece will list the Steelers’ eight easiest games in order of supposed difficulty. The following piece will detail the Steelers’ nine hardest games in a similar order. Six of the nine games in the top nine list were divisional games and two of the other three were from the competitive teams in the NFC West. But, many of the teams in this list are from some of football’s weaker divisions overall, and the Steelers should win a majority of the games on this list. Let’s now get to the list and see how the Steelers could fare against some “lesser” teams in 2023. For a complete record/schedule prediction, check out this article also done by LWOS.
The Steelers’ Eight Easiest Games, In Order (1 Easiest, 8 Hardest “Easy” Game)
#1-Home vs Arizona Cardinals, Week 13
The Pittsburgh Steelers easiest game on the schedule should be their Week 13 home matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals could easily be the league’s worst team and things don’t look to be getting better. They just released DeAndre Hopkins yesterday and don’t seem to be boasting a whole lot of talent. The Steelers get an after-Thanksgiving game against Arizona where weather could be a factor. This game also starts what looks to be a three-game “easy” streak before the final, tough weeks of the year.
#2-Away at Houston Texans, Week 4
The Texans will probably not be too good in 2023 but may show some improvements after getting two top-three studs in the draft. CJ Stroud and Will Anderson highlight a team that isn’t very good or experienced, and Pittsburgh should have no problem handling Houston. Despite the game being on the road, the Steelers should be overwhelming to this young Texans team.
#3-Away at Indianapolis Colts, Week 15
The Pittsburgh Steelers schedule gives them a ten-day break following a Thursday night game the week before. The Colts, much like the Texans, are young and inexperienced. Neither team projects to be that good, and both are dealing with rookie quarterbacks who might struggle early in their careers. The Steelers have a pretty good history with containing rookies and it should be no different here.
#4-Away at Los Angeles Rams, Week 7
This game feels like a trap: the Steelers will have to make the long trip west to take on the Rams. But the Rams, like many other teams on this list, project to be among the league’s worst. But Pittsburgh’s bye week is right before this and they should be plenty prepared to take on the Rams. They have lost a lot of key players since winning the Super Bowl two years ago and will be in trouble for at least the next few years.
#5-Home vs New England Patriots, Week 14
The Steelers will take on the Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 14. Both teams will be on shorter rest, having both played the past Sunday. The Patriots could end up being good, but they’ll need to make serious strides on offense. A home game that matters late in the season won’t be easy to take from Mike Tomlin and company, and I don’t see New England doing that here.
#6-Home vs Tennessee Titans, Week 9
This game, much like the previous Patriots one, is a Thursday night feature while dealing with short rest. The Titans have lost a lot this offseason but every year, they seem to stumble on being one of the league’s mediocre teams. They could show some fight in this game, but I think the Steelers will just be too dominant for whoever is starting, whether it be Tannehill, Willis, or Levis.
#7-Away at Las Vegas Raiders, Week 3
Despite being one of the lesser teams in the NFL, the Raiders should put up a good fight in this one. The Steelers have not fared well recently while in Oakland/Las Vegas and things may be difficult again. Their defense struggled again last year, but with Jimmy Garropolo now at the helm, the Raiders’ offense could be taking a step in the right direction. This game will probably be close and it could honestly go either way, depending on how things are going early in the season.
#8-Home vs Green Bay Packers, Week 10
And finally, to wrap up the list is the Steelers’ mid-season meeting with Green Bay. This game was the hardest “easy” game that I saw, and it earns the highest spot on this list. People are quick to forget that the Packers were just one game back from making it to the playoffs last year. Despite losing Aaron Rodgers, the team looks to compete again and remain mostly the same. Many think that Jordan Love is not the answer at quarterback, but in my opinion, I don’t think he’s that bad. Here, I think he gives the Steelers a run for their money at home.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports