Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games
By John Buhler
The 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers need to win these five games if they want to make the playoffs.
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North crown a season ago, that was last year.
Pittsburgh plays in the toughest division in the AFC, one that sent three teams to the postseason last year. While we should expect the AFC North to have at least one of the three Wild Card teams present next season, how sure are we the Steelers will be one of the two teams in the division getting in next January? With that in mind, here are some of their most important games for 2021.
Here are the five games the Steelers have to win if they want go make it back to the AFC Playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 must-win games to ensure a 2021 playoff berth
5. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Admittedly, when you play in the NFL‘s black and blue division, every game is a must-win. However, since their rebranding a quarter of a century ago, no rivalry has defined this division better than the one the Steelers have with the Baltimore Ravens. These two organizations have been the class of the division with two Super Bowl victories apiece since the 2000 NFL season.
While you would think this game would be higher up on this list, the reason it only comes in at No. 5 is this. Pittsburgh is not expected to win at Baltimore this year. If any team in the division is truly capable of sweeping the Steelers, the smart money would be on the Ravens. Yes, it is a must-win because you need to split with the Ravens to make the playoffs. However, a split is expected.
The Steelers’ playoff hopes are not going to come down to how they play against the Ravens. Other games vs. perceived lesser opponents will decide that. Should Pittsburgh surprisingly sweep Baltimore, then we could argue for the Steelers winning the AFC North going away this year and contend for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
The reason this game is significant though, is if the Steelers do get swept by the Ravens, it likely indicates they are not winning the division and will have to settle for one of three Wild Card spots in the AFC. How sure are you that the Steelers will be one of those three teams? While it is not a death sentence, a home loss that is part of a Ravens’ season sweep does limit the Steelers’ ceiling.