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The 2017 offensive and defensive rankings of the Pittsburgh Steelers' opponents is not an accurate barometer of how 2018 will play out — but it's a starting point to gauge future success based on past performances.
Generally speaking, there are not vast turnovers on NFL rosters, nor additions of players via free agency, or via the NFL draft, that can make enough of a splash to single-handedly raise a team from the depths of the cellar to the top of the charts.
On the flip-side (my favorite side), there are players who may be purged, retire or depart for greener pastures — developments which may impact a team's future success.
A couple of interesting aspects from the chart below.
- Pittsburgh will face the top-ranked team in six of the ten categories.
- Pittsburgh will face the bottom-ranked team in five of the ten categories.
2017 Rankings
| Team | Type | Total points | Total yards | Turvovers | Passing yards | Rushing yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Type | Total points | Total yards | Turvovers | Passing yards | Rushing yards |
| Cleveland Browns | Defensive | 31 | 14 | 32 | 19 | 7 |
| Week 1 and 8 | Offensive | 32 | 24 | 32 | 23 | 18 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Defensive | 15 | 28 | 7* | 29 | 25 |
| Week 2 | Offensive | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive | 24 | 32 | 7* | 32 | 23 |
| Week 3 | Offensive | 18 | 9 | 26* | 4 | 27 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Defensive | 6 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 15 |
| Week 4 and 9 | Offensive | 9 | 27 | 7* | 29 | 11 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Defensive | 8 | 9 | 27* | 12 | 9 |
| Week 5 | Offensive | 15 | 8 | 9* | 8 | 13 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Defensive | 16 | 18 | 30* | 8 | 30 |
| Week 6 and 17 | Offensive | 26 | 32 | 19* | 27 | 31 |
| Carolina Panthers | Defensive | 11 | 7 | 16* | 18 | 3 |
| Week 10 | Offensive | 12 | 19 | 14* | 28 | 4 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Defensive | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 21 |
| Week 11 | Offensive | 5 | 6 | 19* | 17 | 1 |
| Denver Broncos | Defensive | 22 | 3 | 26 | 4 | 5 |
| Week 12 | Offensive | 27 | 18 | 31 | 20 | 12 |
| San Diego Chargers | Defensive | 3 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 31 |
| Week 13 | Offensive | 13 | 4 | 4* | 1 | 24 |
| Oakland Raiders | Defensive | 20 | 23 | 30* | 26 | 12 |
| Week 14 | Offensive | 23 | 17 | 28* | 16 | 25 |
| New England Patriots | Defensive | 5 | 29 | 25 | 30 | 20 |
| Week 15 | Offensive | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| New Orlean Saints | Defensive | 10 | 17 | 9* | 15 | 16 |
| Week 16 | Offensive | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Steelers fans have high expectations for their beloved team heading into the 2018 season. On paper, Pittsburgh has the eighth easiest schedule (from the table above), but fans will notice that strength-of-schedule doesn't tell the whole story. Pitfalls await the Black-and-gold around every corner, with most opponents having either a strong defense, a strong offense or, in some cases, both.
Did opponents build upon their strengths and shore-up their weaknesses to rise in the 2018 rankings? Or were holes generated that will see an opponent plunge in the future rankings? The answer to those questions will not be known until the final whistle blows wrapping up the Week 17 games.