NFL Schedule Release: Predicting Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2014 Record
By Matt Shetler
After back-to-back 8-8 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to turn their fortunes around in 2014.
After Wednesday’s NFL’s schedule release, I thought it would be a good time to predict the Steelers fate week-by-week.
Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (right) embrace after playing at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
A lot can change as the 2014 NFL Draft is still upcoming and more bodies are likely to be added on teams all the way up until Week 1, but we will give it a shot anyway.
Here we go.
Week 1 vs. Cleveland Browns
Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
Network: CBS
Unlike the opener in 2013, I don’t expect the Steelers to get ravished by injuries right off the bat.
The Browns will be better, but when? I keep saying that but after a 4-12 season they have a new head coach and we don’t know who their quarterback will be entering the season.
With 10 draft picks this May, the Browns will continue to add good young talent but that won’t help them in Week 1.
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense gets off to a good start and the Steelers’ defense has a field day with the young Cleveland signal caller.
Prediction Steelers 26-13 (1-0)
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens
Kickoff Time: 8:25 pm (Thursday night)
Network: CBS
A quick turnaround for the Steelers as they head to their division rivals just four days later.
I like the Steelers a little bit better on paper this year but the Ravens are still a formidable opponent.
Baltimore is also very tough at M&T Bank Stadium, although the Steelers tend to fare pretty well there.
At the end of the day, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will make enough plays down the stretch, a recipe we have seen before and the Ravens will hand the Steelers their first loss of the 2014 season in a typical hard fought and tight game.
Prediction: Ravens 20-17 (1-1)