Week One: Tennessee Titans vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Week One brings the AFC South Division champion Tennessee Titans to town still seething over how the Steelers swiped their glory last season. This game should be as tough as two rams butting heads. Which general will be leading the Titans into battle? Will it be Kerry Collins or Vince Young?
Week Two: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears
The defending Superbowl champions march into Soldier Field to take on Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears. The Bears finally acquired a prime time quarterback. Linebacker James Harrison and the Steelers’ defense plan to greet him with special housewarming gifts.
Week Three: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals
Week Three finds the Steelers on the road to face division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. Without the playmaker T.J. Houshmandzadeh and last season’s record, the Bengals may be perceived as a pushover. However, rivals should never be underestimated. A healthy Carson Palmer and engaged Chad Ochocinco can be problematic for the defending champs.
Week Four: San Diego Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The AFC West Division champion San Diego Chargers come to town with a monster chip on their collective shoulder pads. The Steelers’ spoiled their dreams of a Superbowl in 2007 and 2008. If Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson get into a zone, it could be payback.
Week Five: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions
On the surface, this game looks like the classic David and Goliath match up. The Lion’s going without a win last season while the Steelers win it all. Things change quickly in the NFL. Two first round draft picks can make all the difference in the world. The Steelers’ better watch out for the sucker punch.
Week Six: Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Division rivals, the Cleveland Browns, come to Heinz Field during week six. They will be sans tight end Kellen Winslow and, perhaps, wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth. In addition, the Browns might have an issue at quarterback. Can their new coach build cohesion in time to present a real challenge?
Week Seven: Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Week seven brings the NFC North Division champion Minnesota Vikings and their unstoppable running back Adrian Peterson to Heinz Field. The Steelers’ defense will have a long day keeping Peterson contained and out of the end zone.
Week Eight: Bye Week
The Steelers get time to heal and rest before tackling the second half of the season.
Week Nine: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos
Coming off the bye week, the rejuvenated Steelers face the Denver Broncos in Mile High stadium. Coach McDaniels’ team will be without the talents of quarterback Jay Cutler. However, they will have safety Brian Dawkins. Ben Roethlisberger will need his elusiveness.
Week Ten: Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Games within the division are always hard to win. This second match up of the season will be an opportunity for one side or the other to make up for week three.
Week Eleven: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a rebuilding state of mind with a new coach and new quarterback. Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison likes shiny, new quarterbacks. Matt Cassel will need his mojo in proper working order. Chiefs’ defensive back Jarrad Page might have plans of his own for Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Week Twelve: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
After suffering that heart wrenching playoff loss last season, the Baltimore Ravens will want to destroy the Steelers’. However, former defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, raided the talent pool when he took the head coaching job with the New York Jets. Will the Ravens have the tools to mount the attack?
Week Thirteen: Oakland Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Long, long ago, the Oakland Raiders versus the Pittsburgh Steelers meant a down and dirty, hard hitting football game. History may repeat itself. The Raiders are coming the Heinz Field with a new coach and a new game plan. He has quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Jeff Garcia in his arsenal. Anything can happen.
Week Fourteen:Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns
The second meeting of the season between these division rivals has the Steelers’ at the Dog Pound. This close to season’s end can make this meeting a must win for either team.
Week Fifteen: Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Green Bay Packers come to Heinz Field to challenge the defending Superbowl champions. Aaron Rodgers can throw the football and has weapons that can catch the football. The Packers will also be bringing a defense with a good pass rush. This will be an interesting match up.
Week Sixteen: Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens ride into Pittsburgh like gunslingers looking for blood. Week sixteen can be a battle for home field advantage or it can be just good old payback for week twelve? Either way, it will be a hard hitting grudge match from start to finish.
Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins
Will this game foreshadow things to come? The AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins handled their business last season with a five-game win streak to win the division. The Steelers need to be ready. Coach Sparano’s team will be.
Sources:
2008 NFL Standings: Division, NFL.com
2008 NFL Schedule: Playoffs, NFL.com
2009 NFL Schedule: Regular Season, NFL.com
Reference:
- www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80fc510f&template;=with-video-with-comments&confirm;=
- www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80fbaa5d&template;=without-video-with-comments&confi;
