Maybe it's too early for the Pittsburgh Steelers to hit the panic button, but if the team is taking a long look ahead at their next five games, it isn't an overreaction to say that the season's fate could be decided by the end of October. The organization has had three or more wins heading into November every year since 2014, but the October schedule ahead is quite brutal. The stretch ahead is going to decide the team's playoff hopes as Pittsburgh has three games on the road, all in hostile environments, and the five teams have a combined record of 11-4. Mike Tomlin's group could be looking at a 2-6 record after eight games.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin gets the defense ready to take on the Browns in Week 3 of the 2022 regular season. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
The most difficult part of the games in October is that the first one is going to be the easiest. The New York Jets will travel to Pittsburgh for a Week 4 matchup as both teams sit at 1-2. The Jets are expected to have their quarterback, Zach Wilson back after he has been battling a knee injury. Steelers fans may want him to play, given the fact that Joe Flacco sits behind him and is all too familiar with playing in Pittsburgh.
Jets’ HC Robert Saleh is expecting QB Zach Wilson back this week, but doctors have the final say, via @RichCimini:https://t.co/OcEdYI5GUn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2022
The Steelers are currently favored by four points in the matchup and will look to win their first home game of the season.
The next four games after the Jets, and before the bye week, will be up against four teams that only have two total losses this year. It doesn't get any easier when you look at it given the fact that contests against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles are all on the road.
The last time Tomlin, who has never had a losing season, was the leader of a Steelers team that only won two games heading into November was in 2013 and the result was an 8-8 record. Coincidentally, that team played the Jets in the first game of October and won an ugly game, 19-6. If history repeats itself, it could be a long final two months of the season in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers retired QB, Ben Roethlisberger (#7) attempts to make a play against the New York Jets on October 16, 2013. | Credit: Steelers.com
It's going to be a tall task for the team to remain a contender going into November if it is only a one-win month. The key will be how the Steelers perform heading into the Week 9 bye. The Dolphins and Eagles both look like offensive powerhouses to start this year, and having T.J. Watt return from IR would be a huge boost, but if the organization decides to be cautious, he may not return until Week 10.
It's hard to take a look at what the schedule looks like in October and come to the conclusion that the most winnable game, aside from the Jets matchup, may be at home against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The schedule makers did not do the Steelers any favors and unless drastic improvement is made offensively and the defense figures it out without Watt, a 2-6 start to the season could be all too real.
Tomlin has shown in the past that his teams will outperform expectations and always be in the playoff hunt, but a winning record in October is going to take a lot this year. It just so happens that it is the team's toughest stretch and for the most part, against teams who can put points on the board. The Steelers have averaged 14.7 points per game through three weeks and could be in line for some ugly losses.
Do you think the Steelers' season will be over before November begins? Let us know in the comments below!
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