5 reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers are in trouble without Ben Roethlisberger

2. Scheduling doesn’t help

The Steelers sit atop the AFC North at 4-2, but their days there are numbered. They have a tough schedule coming up, and it’s unclear whether they’ll able to win any of their upcoming games with Landry Jones playing QB. If the Steelers can win half their games with Roethlisberger out, they’ll have a chance to make the playoffs, but looking at what’s ahead, that’s easier said than done.

In Week 7, Pittsburgh faces off against a hot New England team that’s gelling with the return of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. A ticked off Patriots team is never fun to play, especially when you’re wounded.

To add insult to injury, the game will be in Foxboro, and if history tells us anything, the Steelers and their backup quarterback will not be up for the task. In the Steelers favor, they have a bye the following week, which gives them some time to get healthy, although it’s anticipated that Roethlisberger will still be out when they play again in Week 9.

After facing New England, the team squares off against potential playoff teams in the Ravens, New York Giants and Buffalo Bills, before the last three divisional games against Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland.