Predicting the first loss on the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule for expanded 2021 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tough 2021 schedule after winning the AFC North in 2020.

After winning the AFC North a year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to earn every win they get this season to get back into the NFL Playoffs.

The Steelers inherit a first-place schedule this season. They will play six games against their three AFC North division rivals, the AFC West in its entirety, the NFC North in its entirety, as well as dates vs. the Buffalo Bills, the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans to round out their competitive balance portion of the 2021 slate. Pittsburgh should win around 10 or 11 games.

After starting 2020 at 11-0, how long will it be before the Steelers suffer their first loss of 2021?

Pittsburgh Steelers schedule: When will they suffer their first loss of 2021?

Unfortunately for the Steelers, they have a brutal season opener. Pittsburgh begins the year on the road vs. Buffalo. While it will not be played in a blizzard up in Orchard Park on Sept. 12, the Bills are among a handful of teams this year with serious Super Bowl aspirations. If the Kansas City Chiefs do not make it back this season out of the AFC, the smart money would be on Buffalo.

If we want to make this exercise more fun than saying the Steelers will lose their first game of the season, here are few other games where Pittsburgh could suffer its first loss. With a win over Buffalo, Pittsburgh could get to 3-0 before falling in Week 4 vs. the Green Bay Packers. If Aaron Rodgers gets traded, Pittsburgh’s first loss might come on Halloween vs. the Cleveland Browns.

With several tough games early, Pittsburgh will be lucky to be at .500 entering its Week 7 bye.