Steelers’ Rivals Appear To Be Getting Special Treatment From The NFL: “Trying To Help The Ravens”

When the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 schedule was revealed, many fans were unhappy with how the NFL planned the team's games. The Steelers have the third most difficult schedule in the entire league (based on 2023 winning percentage). Playing in the highly competitive AFC North only adds to the challenges the squad will face during the regular season, with all divisional games scheduled to start in Week 11.

Facing the toughest division and having to play all division games so close together is no easy feat. However, the NFL stated that the challenging schedule was not intentional; it simply played out that way. Former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III suggested that the league has given the Steelers' biggest rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, an easier path to success.

The Ravens have consistently been strong under two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson but have yet to win a Super Bowl. Griffin believes the NFL purposely set up the Ravens with an advantageous schedule to increase their chances of overcoming that hurdle in 2024.

"The only thing the NFL likes more than a dynasty like the Chiefs is a team or player that gets over the hump. And that's exactly what the NFL schedule makers are trying to help the Ravens do. They gave them an additional 16 days of rest over their opponents. That's three more days than any other team in the league."

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off back-to-back Super Bowl victories, solidifying their status as the best team in the NFL. They have become the team to beat year after year. Meanwhile, the Ravens have struggled to get past the Chiefs in recent seasons. Griffin believes the NFL designed the schedule to give the Ravens an advantage over the reigning champions. Griffin also mentioned that the NFL considered the Ravens' new running back, Derrick Henry, when creating the schedule.

"And not only that, they made sure they're not on the road, or should I say, they're not away from home, more than two weeks in a row. You know what I call that? That Sleep Number bed schedule. You know why? They want to make sure they're well-rested. Their opponents are going to hate it but you got a new duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. These dudes are dynamic playmakers. Why wouldn't the NFL want them to be well-rested?"

While the Ravens have consistently been one of the best teams in football, the Steelers have remained unfazed. Jackson has won just two games against the Steelers since entering the league in 2018. The addition of Henry certainly strengthens the Ravens, making them legitimate contenders in 2024. However, the Steelers countered by acquiring star linebacker Patrick Queen to mitigate Henry's impact.

Although the Ravens have the second most difficult schedule, compared to the Steelers' third, Griffin highlighted some advantages his former team has. The Ravens benefit from 16 extra days of rest and won't be away from home for more than two consecutive weeks. These scheduling perks suggest the Ravens received more favorable treatment than the Steelers.

Steelers And Ravens Will Have A Tough Christmas

The Steelers will face the Ravens for the second time on December 21st and then have to play the Chiefs on short rest on Christmas Day, December 25th. Meanwhile, the Ravens will also play on Christmas Day against the Houston Texans. Both the Steelers and Ravens will have a tough holiday season.

While the notion that the NFL is deliberately aiding the Ravens is speculative, the facts Griffin pointed out do give them an advantage. Steelers fans will hope that, despite these advantages, the Ravens' season ends in disappointment.

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