Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

1. Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

The most important game the Steelers have to win when it comes to playoff positioning is the one when they host the Tennessee Titans. Even though both of these teams won their divisions a year ago, that is not happening again. Tennessee is a major regression candidate after another weird draft and losing offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to the Atlanta Falcons’ head-coaching job.

While you could argue the Steelers could win the AFC North again, the same argument is even less compelling for the Titans to repeat in the AFC South, as the Indianapolis Colts should be very good. As with the road date vs. the Chargers, this game is all about having the head-to-head tiebreaker with a team likely vying for one of three Wild Card berths. Plus, this is the Bud Dupree game, yinz.

If Steelers were to lose at home to a probable non-division winner in Tennessee, that could signify Pittsburgh being closer to a 9-8 team than an 11-6 one. If the Steelers go 12-5 or better, yes, you can afford to lose a weird one vs. your former AFC Central foe. However, it could very well come down to who has the head-to-head tiebreaker here when picking the three AFC Wild Card teams.

What is important is understanding why Tennessee is a major regression candidate. The Titans may have a defensive-minded head coach in former Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel, but they can’t rush the passer. Maybe Dupree helps, but that’s not their forte. Expect Ryan Tannehill to regress without Smith calling plays. So you really to hone in on and stop Derrick Henry. Will you do it?

Overall, the Steelers can be something along the lines of a 13-4 team and repeat in the AFC North if every ball bounces their way this season. That could be good enough for the No. 2 seed, maybe. Conversely, this team could be as bad as 9-8, only because Tomlin does not allow his team to have losing records. Regardless, going 9-8 is not good enough to ensure the Steelers of a playoff berth.

How Pittsburgh’s 2021 NFL season ultimately shakes out hinges on these five must-win games.