The Pittsburgh Steelers aim for a fourth consecutive AFC playoff spot and are a trendy Super Bowl pick once again. But this isn't a team without concern. Le'Veon Bell sat out training camp. Several defensive starters missed significant practice time. And the back end of the 2017 schedule is unfriendly. Overall, though, a double-digit-win season is still in the forecast.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers' defense should get a nice confidence boost against the Browns' quarterback concoction. DeShone Kizer could be the long-term answer, but not this Sunday, which should equate to Ben Roethlisberger's 22nd win over Cleveland. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings have one of the league's most talented defenses but their scoring average was 17.1 points per road game in the last six games last year. And they didn't appear to get much better on that side of the ball. The Steelers usually are good for at least 20 in Heinz. Record: 2-0
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
The Trubisky Train might be rolling through the streets of Chicago by Week 3. The Steelers are 5-5 in their past 10 matchups with the Bears, who weren't in transition mode during most of those games. They are now. Record: 3-0
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers are allergic to scoring at M&T Bank Stadium, where they've produced 57 points over their past four matchups. Baltimore just finds a way to stifle the Steelers' passing game. The Ravens' offense is choppy at best, but they win a low-scoring affair here. Record: 3-1
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
No matter Leonard Fournette's potential star power, it's hard to expect Blake Bortles -- who reportedly struggled mightily in training camp -- leaving Pittsburgh with a win. Jacksonville is stout defensively and will create at least one turnover, but it won't be enough. Record: 4-1
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Chiefs are still salty about Pittsburgh winning that playoff game in Arrowhead without scoring a touchdown. The Chiefs' red zone defense will remain stout, and Travis Kelce will prove too much for Pittsburgh's middle-of-field pass defense. Record: 4-2
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET
Not many teams play the Steelers tighter in Heinz Field than the Bengals because of their ability to disrupt Roethlisberger with Geno Atkins & Co. But the Steelers seemed to figure out a favorable matchup against this defense with tight ends and slot receivers up the middle. Hello, Eli Rogers, Jesse James and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Record: 5-2
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, at Detroit Lions, 8:30 p.m. ET
As good as Big Ben is on turf -- 61-of-79 (77 percent) in his past three dome games -- Detroit is still a playoff-caliber team with a top-10 quarterback playing at home against a team due for its occasional midseason low. Record: 5-3
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers will be fired up after the bye, and Big Ben is always fired up to play Indy. He has 13 touchdown passes in his past three games against the Colts. He just loves seeing their defensive backs. Record: 6-3
Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 16, vs. Tennessee Titans, 8:25 p.m. ET
The Titans are a rising team and will have a national, prime-time stage. But the Steelers have found ways to win November and December games at home lately. This is where they start to get hot. Until next week. Record: 7-3
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. ET
First one to 40 wins. These quarterbacks are too good not to score, with the Packers and Steelers combining for 198 points in three matchups since 2009. But Aaron Rodgers doesn't take sacks, buys time for seven seconds and lets a secondary bleed. That's not a good matchup for Pittsburgh. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Monday, Dec. 4, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Steelers have won six of their past seven against Cincinnati in December, and Paul Brown Stadium is practically a home game for Pittsburgh, which loves to win there. A.J. Green's 150-yard explosion won't be enough. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, Baltimore Ravens, 8:30 p.m. ET
Baltimore will forever play Pittsburgh tough and they are hungry to re-enter the playoff picture. But by this point, the injuries are mounting and the offensive firepower isn't enough to score 30 in Heinz. Record: 9-4
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET
In a much-needed breakthrough, the Steelers slay the Patriots problem (for a day, at least) as everything comes together. Tom Brady gets his numbers, but the secondary figures out a way to avoid too many big plays. A healthy Steelers offense recognizes the moment and wins a shootout. Record: 10-4
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 25, at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Steelers aren't immune to the occasional late-season lapse. Deshaun Watson punctuates his rookie of the year campaign by completing passes on the run against the Steelers' front. A grumpy Christmas flight home. Record: 10-5
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers lock up at least one home playoff game with a ritualistic Week 17 win over Cleveland. The Browns have improved to a five-or-six-win team, but again the quarterback picture is in flux, and Roethlisberger throws for three touchdowns at home. Record: 11-5