The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 season is almost here with just one preseason game remaining. It's not too early to begin looking at the 2023 schedule, though. The Pittsburgh Pirates released their 2023 schedule on Wednesday, which has them on the road for what will likely be the opening weekend in the NFL. The Pirates will be away from home on September 9th, and 10th. That signifies a good chance the Steelers will be at home to begin the 2023 season.
Credit: Browns.com
Crazily enough, that hasn't happened since 2014. That's right, the black and gold haven't had a home opener in nearly 10 years. The specific opponent for that Week 1 game is to-be-announced, but if it really is at home, there are six (or more) potential opponents beyond the annual AFC North opponents:
- Tennessee Titans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- AFC East
- NFC North
If you don't exactly know how NFL scheduling works, the AFC East and NFC North opponents depends on how the standings end up after the 2022 season. Whatever the Steelers finish in the AFC North, they will play the teams from those divisions that finished in the same place as them. With the NFL moving to 17 NFL games, Pittsburgh will get nine home games in 2023, rather than the typical eight.
In the seven away games in Week 1, the Steelers have gone 4-2-1. Both of those losses happened against the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots in Foxborough. That lone tie came against the Cleveland Browns, whom they also played in their last home opener in 2014. The Steelers prevailed in that one with a 30-27 win to begin the season at what was Heinz Field at the time.
Shaun Suisham was still the team's starting kicker. LeGarrette Blount scored the first touchdown of the game for the black and gold. Troy Polamalu was still playing. Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell were their usual selves as well. Speaking of Brown, who can forget his notorious punt return in which he kicked Browns punter, Spencer Lanning in the face.
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Wide receiver Justin Brown (quite the throwback name), was on the field for 77% of the team's offensive snaps. It's been that long since the Steelers have had a home opener, and there's now hope that the drought will end in 2023. It's not a guarantee it'll take place, but the Pirates being on the road certainly helps and increases the Steelers' chances.
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