The most anticipated Steelers games on the 2023 schedule
We’re officially counting down the days to the 2023 NFL season as the Pittsburgh Steelers regular season schedule was released yesterday.
With an expanded 17-game schedule now in effect, we have more games to look forward to than in the past, including an “NFC common opponent” game. (Which happens to be the Green Bay Packers this year.)
In addition to their usual AFC North rivals, the Steelers slate of opponent is filled with the AFC South and NFC West division teams, as well as those franchises which also finished in the same place within the AFC (Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and New England).
But which of these games should you most look forward to, and why? Let’s have a look at those games I have earmarked on the Steelers calendar.
Weeks 1 and 2 – at home!
Finally, the Steelers host their first game at home to open the NFL season in Week 1 as the San Francisco 49ers come to town. It is the first home opener during kickoff weekend since the Steelers hosted the Cleveland Browns in 2014: incidentally, Pittsburgh hosts them the week after, for a back-to-back home stand to start the 2023 season.
Week 3 @ Las Vegas Raiders
This will be the Steelers first trip to “The Death Star” in Death Valley, and a rematch of last year’s Immaculate Reception anniversary on Christmas Eve, where the Steelers came away with a victory.
If I had to guess, this is going to be one huge party and a raucous crowd between two historic, passionate fan bases. If there’s one “destination” game for Steelers Nation this season, this is it. (Which is pretty awesome considering it comes after starting with two home games as well.)
Young QB duels
It’s impossible to pick out just one, because the Steelers 2023 schedule is littered with games that may feature comparisons to second-year QB Kenny Pickett. Among those on deck include the Jacksonville Jaguars with Trevor Lawrence, who led his team to the postseason in his second-year as a pro (last year).
That will be at least one comparison, as Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) takes over for Aaron Rodgers, while the Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud), Indianapolis Colts (Anthony Richardson), and Tennessee Titans (Will Levis) could all have new, rookie starters in place.
Thursday Night Football times two
The Steel City will play host to Thursday Night Football again this season, not once, but twice!
The first of the two games comes in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers will also host the New England Patriots during Week 14.
Each of the Thursday games comes after playing at home also, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals as the respective opponents.
One more time in Baltimore
Finally, the last game that should be earmarked on any fan’s calendar is a TBD time and date with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, the final week of regular season NFL play.
Last year, Kenny Pickett had some away game heroics and this one could have a lot on the line if both teams are playing about the board.
