NFL Schedule Release: Predicting Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2014 Record
By Matt Shetler
Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
Network: CBS
Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) in the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s where the schedule starts to turn for the Steelers against the lowly Jaguars.
But as we have seen time and time again, the Steelers struggle against teams they are supposed to beat, especially on the road.
The Jags have made some improvements via free agency and I expect them to be better than anyone expects this season.
They have won 12-of-22 games against the Steelers all time and they catch Mike Tomlin’s team sleeping in Week 5.
Prediction: Jaguars 17-13 (2-3)
Week 6: at Cleveland Browns
Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
Network: CBS
The Steelers are just 6-10 on the road during the past two seasons combined, but have only lost in Cleveland three times since the year 2000.
That is about to change as the Steelers will drop another game they should win on paper. It’s just in the Steelers DNA that they will drop a couple of games per year that they should win.
The Browns have a good enough defense to pressure Roethlisberger and Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will shred the Pittsburgh secondary as the Browns upset the Steelers.
Prediction: Browns 24-20 (2-4)
Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
Kickoff Time: 8:30 pm (Monday night)
Network: ESPN
It’s somewhat odd that a team coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons gets three primetime games in the season’s first seven weeks, but the Steelers are back on primetime in Week 7.
The Texans will be much better than they were in 2013. They are simply too talented not to be.
However with a rookie head coach and likely a rookie quarterback coming to Pittsburgh on a Monday night, I like the Steelers here.
If the Steelers can stop J.J. Watt from getting to Roethlisberger, I like their chances against a likely rookie quarterback.
I’m tempted to take the Texans here, but the Steelers will break their losing streak in a big way.
Prediction: Steelers 31-20 (3-4)