Each NFL team’s most important game in 2019

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: James Connor #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chargers defeated the Steelers 33-30. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 6 at Los Angeles Chargers

This past season, Mike Tomlin’s team appeared to be in line for a fourth straight AFC North title. The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame a sluggish start but owned a 7-2-1 record after 10 games. Inexplicably, the Black and Gold began to unravel – dropping four of their final six outings. And a 9-6-1 record wasn’t enough to get the club back into the postseason.

The problems began in Week 12 at Denver in what would become three consecutive losses to AFC West teams. And it was a rough 33-30 home loss to the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers in prime time that may have proven to be the toughest pill to swallow. Pittsburgh owned a 23-7 halftime lead against Anthony Lynn’s team only to fall apart in the second half.

So for the second straight year, the teams will meet on a Sunday night. Only this time, it will be on the Bolts’ home field. From Weeks 4-10, the Steelers will play five home games and will be off in Week 7 following the tilt with the Chargers. That includes divisional showdowns with the Bengals (Week 4) and Ravens (Week 5), which are obviously very important contests when it comes to deciding who will prevail in the always-competitive AFC North. Still, it’s this rematch with the very-talented Chargers that should be a good gauge for veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Tomlin’s new-look club.

Next: San Francisco 49ers

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