Widely anticipated to be a tougher stretch of games when the 2023 NFL schedule was released, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have it a little bit easier after the recent season-ending injuries to Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow. As it currently stands, Pittsburgh will face rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and veteran Jake Browning in Weeks 11 and 12. Neither of these players were expected to face the Steelers since both teams were and are in the thick of the AFC wild-card picture. Nonetheless, a path to the postseason just became clearer.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws over Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Can The Steelers Solidify Their Playoff Chances Sooner Than Later?
After back-to-back AFC North rivalry matchups, the Steelers will then square off against an Arizona Cardinals team that's most likely shifting focus towards the 2024 NFL Draft with a 3-8 record. Kyler Murray recently returned from a long and extensive ACL injury recovery timeline and rising tight end, Trey McBride is starting to become a focal point of the offense. James Conner, former Steeler, spearheads a Cardinals rushing attack that badly missed his presence in recent games. Marquise Brown leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Michael Wilson, the rookie wide receiver from Stanford, sits not too far behind Brown on the stat sheet.
Arizona doesn't score at a particularly high rate, but they can definitely run the ball well. This has been a struggle for the Steelers recently, so stopping the run will be critical against a team that can use its legs such as in Murray to its advantage.
After that, it's a Thursday night game at home versus the New England Patriots, who have been nothing short of a disaster. Mac Jones has fallen out of favor both on and off the field, and highly touted running back Rhamondre Stevenson is experiencing a down year in production (thanks largely to Ezekiel Elliott stealing carries). They are also down to their rookie wide receiver Damario Douglas on the depth chart for outside receiving threats.
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Jamir Jones (48) makes a tackle against the New England Patriots
New England ranks as the second-worst offense in points per game and is extremely prone to turning the ball over. Not only that, but they struggle mightily to get into the end zone as well. All that aside, Pittsburgh has a serious chance at subduing the Patriots from the get-go. All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick may return by then, further providing a boost to a secondary in dire need of playmakers.
Moving along, the Indianapolis Colts will welcome the Steelers into Lucas Oil Stadium for the second consecutive year in Week 15. Despite second overall pick and future franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson going down for the season, the Colts have managed to scrap together a 5-5 record with Garner Minshew now running the show. Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss lead a powerful Colts rushing attack, and rookie receiver Josh Downs continues to impress. Michael Pittman Jr. is a threat in the open field and leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Needless to say, Indianapolis has some serious firepower given their underwhelming quarterback situation, as they are top 10 in points per game, yards, rushing, and touchdowns. This will not be an easy game, as the Colts are competing for a wild card spot just like the Steelers. A win here could help Pittsburgh separate themselves for the better as they hope to avoid having to clinch a playoff birth in the very last week of the regular season again.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren tried to break a tackle against Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie during Pittsburgh's 23-19 win in Week 10 of 2023.
The Next Five Weeks Are Pivotal For The Steelers
The upcoming games are very winnable ones, and they may well determine if the Steelers will qualify for the playoffs in January. The AFC as a conference holds little to no room for error, so Pittsburgh must take as many wins it can get before other teams start to sputter down the stretch. The Browns, Bengals, Cardinals, Patriots, and Colts will present challenges along the way, but if they're able to continue winning the way they are now, it's not hard to envision them sneaking into the playoffs.
Do you think the Steelers win the majority of their next five games? Which games give you the most concern and why? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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