In 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers missed the playoffs for the third time in five seasons. This wasn’t entirely unexpected, as 2022 marked a major change for the franchise, as Big Ben Roethlisberger had retired, leaving the offense in the hands of rookie Kenny Pickett. The team started the season with a bizarre 23-20 overtime win over Cincinnati, but the Bengals’ lack of a healthy long snapper caused chaos in the kicking game, leading to a missed extra point at the end of regulation and a missed field goal in overtime. Then came a stretch of losing six times in seven weeks. However, things turned around, as the team finished with seven wins in their last nine games. How will 2023 go for the Steel Curtain? As you think about your NFL betting for the season, we look at their schedule and their prospects.
NFL Betting News: 2023 Opponent Analysis – Pittsburgh Steelers
Home Games: Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Arizona, Green Bay, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco, Tennessee
Road Games: Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams, Seattle
Let’s look at the divisional games first. Obviously, the Cincinnati Bengals are the class of the AFC North right now. Joe Burrow has led them deep into the playoffs the past two seasons, and so far in the off-season we’ve seen the Bengals shore up the offensive line going into the draft. Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are the top two quarterbacks in the AFC right now. The only real shadow hanging over the Bengals is the future of Joe Mixon, who the team has told to take a salary cut.
Baltimore has a lot of drama as quarterback Lamar Jackson has asked for a trade after he acted as his own agent and was unable to come to an agreement with the team’s management on a contract extension. The Ravens have not given Jackson much help in the wide receiver department the past few seasons, but they did sign Odell Beckham Jr in the off-season. OBJ is facing assault allegations from a recent incident in a California nightclub, though.
Then there are the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have had the best defense on paper in the AFC, but the execution has been spotty at best. Then there’s been the quarterback controversy, as Baker Mayfield led the team to a divisional round playoff appearance, only to fall out of favor and get run out of town. Deshaun Watson signed the most expensive contract in league history – a fully guaranteed one, no less – but he has looked rusty in the games he’s played in so far.
The Steelers also get to play the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals are a mess, as quarterback Kyler Murray has signed an expensive extension but has alienated the locker room. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is on the trading block, and the team will have a new head coach. The Rams are in rebuilding mode just two seasons after their Super Bowl title. The San Francisco 49ers are at the top of odds lists in the NFC despite the fact that they will have a starting quarterback who has not finished a full season and is recovering from significant injury, whether they go with Brock Purdy or Trey Lance. Seattle is an intriguing team, and it will be interesting to see how Geno Smith responds to his first big contract extension.
The Green Bay Packers also enter a new era, as Aaron Rodgers has headed east to join the New York Jets. Jordan Love has the keys to the offense now, but the Packers need a new receiver to replace Allen Lazard, who is now a Jet as well. Aaron Jones returns to key the running game, and the defense remains underrated.
Finally, the Steelers face the AFC South. Jacksonville is a team on the rise after making it to the divisional round of the playoffs last year and only losing to Kansas City by a touchdown. Houston is still a dumpster fire, as the team’s management has its third head coach in three seasons but still has failed to bring quality talent to the field. The Colts have a great roster everywhere except quarterback, where Gardner Minshew looks to be the leader in the race for starter this fall. Tennessee is fielding trade calls for Derrick Henry and appears to be looking for a successor to Ryan Tannehill.
On the whole, this looks like a favorable schedule for the Steelers. I see them going 5-3 in the division (losing twice to Cincinnati, sweeping the Browns, splitting with the Ravens). I see them beating Green Bay at home (6-3) and winning three against the NFC West (9-4). Against the AFC South, I see them splitting their games to go 11-6 and snag a wild card.
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