The Steelers have a nice midyear setup, with Oakland, Cleveland and a bye in Weeks 9-11. Getting there is the difficult part. Six of the Steelers’ first eight opponents produced a winning record last season. And what about that Seattle-Indy-Cincinnati-Denver-Baltimore stretch after the bye? Yep, the Steelers better grab as many wins as possible in September and October.

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 10, at New England, 8:30 p.m. ET

Bell. Brady. Bryant. Blount. Rarely will star-filled teams miss so much star power in a marquee season opener. But the Steelers will correct their leaky preseason defense in time to corral forced-into-action quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The Steelers will have to stay fresh after a long preseason that included 18 training camp practices and five preseason games. Steelers 34, Patriots 27. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, San Francisco, 1 p.m. ET

The Steelers have started slowly the past two seasons, so dropping one game they shouldn’t is no surprise. San Francisco won’t be a team in transition on this day, surprising the Steelers at home. Pittsburgh comes out sluggish after pouring so much emotion into the New England game. The Steelers feel the losses of Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Maurkice Pouncey in this one. 49ers 21, Steelers 10. Record: 1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at St. Louis, 1 p.m. ET

This one is a drag-out. St. Louis’ unrelenting defensive line gives the Steelers problems up front, but Ben Roethlisberger makes enough fourth-quarter plays to keep the Rams away. The combination of Bell and suddenly hot DeAngelo Williams prevails. Todd Gurley isn’t yet healthy enough to post 150-yard days, so the Steelers keep the running game in check. Steelers 24, St. Louis 20. Record: 2-1

Week 4: Thursday, Oct. 1, Baltimore, 8:25 p.m. ET

Both teams are coming off a short week and the rust shows early. But the Steelers are still salty about rushing for 68 yards in last year’s playoff loss to Baltimore. Bell didn’t play in that game, so he compensates by logging 140-plus total yards to help the Steelers barely avoid an 0-2 start at home. The Steelers' secondary finally creates a key turnover in the fourth quarter. Steelers 31, Ravens 27. Record: 3-1

Week 5: Monday, Oct. 12, at San Diego, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Steelers lose urgency after a 3-1 start despite injuries and suspensions. The Chargers take advantage, with Philip Rivers throwing for three touchdowns in a convincing win. This will be Pittsburgh’s third of five prime-time appearances this season, and the first when they don’t shine under the high-wattage lights. Bryant returns from suspension but offsets a big-play touchdown with two drops. Chargers 30, Steelers 18. Record: 3-2

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Arizona, 1 p.m. ET

Bruce Arians faces the team that ran him out of town, then makes himself at home with a tough-minded win at Heinz Field. Carson Palmer surprises the Steelers with his renewed arm strength by targeting the deep middle, which the Steelers left open in zone coverage, tossing two touchdown passes to tight ends down the seam. The Steelers realize they must regroup to rekindle any Super Bowl hopes. Cardinals 35, Steelers 32. Record: 3-3

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at Kansas City, 1 p.m. ET

After a 3-3 start, the Steelers take out aggression on the Chiefs by producing an explosive road win. An embattled Kansas City secondary can’t handle Roethlisberger, who throws for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns. The Steelers' pass rush gets loose off the edge for four sacks. Mike Tomlin exhales after getting a much-needed win. Steelers 45, Chiefs 21. Record: 4-3

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, Cincinnati, 1 p.m. ET

This isn’t prime time, which means Andy Dalton will play well. The Steelers' defense gives Dalton too much cushion on underneath routes, helping him rack up yardage. But the Bengals keep stalling in the red zone, where the Steelers suddenly feel renewed. Roethlisberger misfires early but hits Antonio Brown for two big gains in the second half to seal the game. Steelers 24, Bengals 13. Record: 5-3.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, Oakland, 1 p.m. ET

Strangely, the Steelers have lost three of their last four games against the Raiders, including on quarterback Terrelle Pryor's 93-yard touchdown run in 2013. But contention hopes are too important for the Steelers to be messing with Oakland. Pass rush gets to Derek Carr early and the Steelers cruise. Steelers 37, Raiders 17. Record: 6-3.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET

Remember when the Browns pounded the Steelers 31-10 in October 2014? The Steelers certainly do. The Browns lost their Pro Bowl center, Alex Mack, in that game, and this time the Steelers get their Pro Bowl center back. Pouncey returns from short-term injured reserve to give the Steelers an emotional lift in a crucial AFC North win against a better-than-expected Browns defense. Steelers 21, Browns 14. Record: 7-3

Week 11: BYE

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Seahawks found a rhythm late last season and they do the same thing this year, finally getting all of their key defensive players healthy and in harmony. The Seahawks' secondary baits Roethlisberger into two interceptions, and Marshawn Lynch makes the Steelers’ defensive line rethink its run-stopping tactics after going for 123 yards and two scores. Seahawks 39, Steelers 31. Record: 7-4

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Colts have two good tight ends who can make plays over the middle of the field, which can stretch the Steelers’ Cover 2 defensive sets. But Pittsburgh makes a subtle adjustment to confuse Andrew Luck, resulting in a late-game interception by safety Shamarko Thomas in coverage. This surprisingly low-scoring affair goes Pittsburgh’s way. Steelers 17, Colts 10. Record: 8-4

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. ET

The Steelers have won four of their last five games in Cincinnati, so the trend should continue here. The Bengals can’t seem to figure out Roethlisberger, who throws for at least 300 yards and at least two touchdowns for the third straight game against the Bengals. The Steelers can’t handle A.J. Green in the red zone, but that’s not enough for the Bengals. Steelers 31, Bengals 21. Record: 9-4.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, Denver, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Broncos rely on a short-to-intermediate passing game this year, which the Steelers can handle. They are OK with giving up yards as long as they limit big plays. Peyton Manning goes for 350 yards but the Steelers keep his receivers out of the end zone, letting Bell do the rest with two rushing touchdowns. Steelers 30, Broncos 20. Record: 10-4.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. ET

Is Joe Flacco elite? That’s one of Twitter’s favorite questions. On this day, he is. It’s getting close to the playoffs and the Ravens and Steelers are both eyeing a spot. Playing a night game in Baltimore in late December is difficult even for tough teams. The Ravens’ traditionally good run defense holds the Steelers to modest rushing numbers. Ravens 35, Steelers 28. Record: 10-5.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET

Cleveland puts up a fight as Mike Pettine’s coaching staff tries to get to six wins. But quarterback is still a problem for Cleveland. The Browns simply have trouble scoring enough to make it interesting and the Steelers lock up a playoff spot after winning their 11th game. Steelers 20, Browns 14. Record: 11-5.