There’s optimism circling Pittsburgh Steelers training camp as practices wind up and the 2024 campaign approaches. With Arthur Smith‘s new offense, a friendly battle for the starting QB spot, a wickedly stacked defense, and strong preparation for the NFL’s new kickoff rules, there are many reasons to get excited.

Unfortunately, most of that optimism wanes as fans agree that the team was dealt a difficult schedule for the 2024 season. After watching a lackluster preseason performance, some fans are wondering when we’ll know if the Steelers are a good or bad team. With the bulk of stronger opponents following the Week 9 bye, the opening games will be pivotal: particularly when it comes to Week 7 and Week 8, playing back-to-back home games against the Jets and Giants.

The Steelers could fly under the radar up until this point, but with two games in front of their home fans, and nationally televised in primetime, these games could define their entire season.

Week 7 – Jets @ Steelers

There’s a somewhat unfamiliar – at least compared to recent seasons – amount of hopefulness and fandom following the New York Jets coming into this season. Last year, those hopes were ousted almost immediately due to Aaron Rodgers injury, but now, people are all-in on the Jets being a force.

The massive support for the team goes well beyond MetLife Stadium, too. You only have to look to some of the best NJ online casino no deposit bonus sites to see a vast array of NY Jets games brought out to meet the demand. There’s Big Kick, blackjack, Deluxe, Football Studio, QB Blast, roulette, and Slingo to appease Jets fans.

The Jets are all-in and there’s a lot of hype behind them, yet, big question marks remain. Last season was derailed by Rodgers’ injury. This season, he seems to be coming in fit and healthy, and has an improved offensive line around him (on paper), but the NFL power rankings do put them behind the Steelers by two.

Both teams have improved in key areas during the offseason, and it feels as though this will be one of the big tests for the first half of the 2024 NFL season. Depending on how things shake out, this Sunday Night Football showcase should be headlined by Rodgers versus Russell Wilson, but as with all SNF games played at this point, it’s also subject to flex scheduling.

Should the Steelers overcome the Jets – a team that may be overhyped at this stage – it’ll offer some good momentum before turning into the toughest portion of their schedule.

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Week 8 – Giants @ Steelers

The battle with the Giants after the Jets is important for two reasons. First, this is a game that Mike Tomlin will undoubtedly be circling as a win on the calendar. Secondly, it’s the fourth of four home games in the first eight weeks, with the other three being against the Jets, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Against the Giants, the Steelers can get a much-needed home win. Making Acrisure Stadium formidable again will be key to any hopes of success after the bye. Last season, Pittsburgh’s 5-4 home record was crippling – especially as three of those home losses came to the Jaguars, Cardinals, and Patriots. (Two of those teams had two wins for the season heading into the former Heinz Field.)

The reason this game is pivotal is that the Giants aren’t expected to crawl out from the NFL’s basement in 2024. While some good additions were made in the forms of drafting a top-tier receiving talent in Malik Nabers and moving for edge rusher Brian Burns, they lost the one weapon who greatly helped their offense: RB Saquon Barkley.

Without their one true elite offensive player of the past few seasons, an injury ridden QB, and needing to rely on a very young core, the Giants are in a rebuild and should be there for the taking. If the Steelers have their act together, and press the home advantage, they should head into the bye week with two victories to propel them into the gauntlet they’ll face in the second half of their schedule.