(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
With the NFL expanding to a 17-game schedule starting in 2021, each team would play an extra interconference matchup -- AFC vs. NFC -- based on divisional standings from the preceding season and on a rotating divisional basis. All the AFC teams will be home in 2021 for the extra interconference game and then the NFC teams will be home in 2022.
The Steelers will play the Seahawks at Heinz Field in 2021. The Steelers finished the regular season 12-4 last year, likewise did Seattle, and they both won their respective divisions. The rest of the AFC North teams will face the NFC West as well.
The Steelers will play the Ravens, Browns, Bengals, Broncos, Bears, Lions, Raiders, Titans and Seahawks at home in 2021. On the road, they will play the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings, Chargers and Bills.
By winning the AFC North in 2020, the Steelers will play a first-place schedule in 2021, and they'll have tough road games at Kansas City, Buffalo and Green Bay. The Steelers also have the toughest schedule in the league in 2021 based on their opponents' combined record of 155-115-2 (.574) in 2020. It includes 10 games against 2020 playoff teams, counting the Browns and Ravens twice.
DraftKings currently has the Steelers win total for 2021 at over/under 8.5. With a 17th game being added, 8-8 records won't be possible. So if the Steelers were to go 8-9, it would be their first losing season since 2003. There's always a possibility of going 8-8-1, but the chances of that happening are slim. DraftKings has the Ravens win total at over/under 11 and the Browns at over/under 9.5. The Bengals then come in last in the AFC North with an over/under win total projection of 6.5.
The NFL schedule release is expected to be in mid-May this year.
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