3 games in Week 5 that can impact the Pittsburgh Steelers

With a quarter of the season under their belt, the Pittsburgh Steelers are still somewhat of a mystery to how they stand in the rest of the AFC North as well as the NFL. While other teams have better records than the Steelers, the opponent the Steelers faced are a combined 10-1 after four weeks. With three of the Steelers past opponents playing teams they will face later on in 2019, some perspective can be given based on these upcoming games.

Here are the three games in Week 5 which could give the most perspective on what the Steelers have done so far this season, as well as what they can expect with future opponents:

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

Thursday Night Football at 8:20 PM on FOX/NFL Network

While the Seahawks game is sort of an enigma for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they had two different quarterbacks playing each half, the Steelers still were in a position where they could have (and possibly should have) won the game. Since facing the Steelers, the Seahawks lost a close game to the New Orleans Saints and had a decisive win of the Arizona Cardinals to bring their record to 3–1.

As for the Los Angeles Rams, they will be visiting Heinz Field on November 10 for a 4:25 PM game. The Rams are also 3-1 after three straight wins over the Panthers, Saints, and Browns before falling at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The matchup on Thursday night could be an indication as to the quality of the opponent the Steelers will be facing in Week 10. If the Seahawks can take down the Rams at home, it would improve Seattle’s perception of a quality opponent around the league, putting the Steelers close loss a little more in perspective.

Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers

Monday Night Football at 8:15 PM on ESPN

The 49ers are coming off their bye week after winning their third game of the season against the Steelers in Week 3. The 49ers have also defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals to achieve a perfect record.

As for the Browns, they have staggered their wins against the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens with their losses to the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams. Currently the leader in the AFC North, the Browns are hoping to force some separation between them and the rest of the division with a win in San Francisco.

This game is one of those key matchups where the Steelers need their division opponents to lose to the same teams with which they have already lost. While San Francisco is still a bit of a mystery after their first three games, getting a victory over the Browns in prime time would help to elevate their status within the NFL. Should the Browns prevail, it will give them a win on a common opponent of the Steelers which will help in their overall record for the season.

Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday 1:00 PM on FOX

Believe it or not, the matchup of two winless teams can give some perspective on the Steelers. With their lone win being against Cincinnati last week, if the Bengals can take out the 0-1-1 Cardinals, or at least play a close game, it will be an indication as to what the Steelers can expect when they travel to Arizona in Week 14. Other than showing how far at the bottom f the NFL either of these teams lie, there won’t be many other conclusions which can be drawn.

So there are the three main matchups which can give Steeler fans and indication as to the quality of wins and losses they have so far in 2019, and the quality of the opponents coming up later on in the schedule. While each week is a different game and upsets due to certain matchups are bound to happen, the greater the body of work which each team puts on the field can help to draw better conclusions.

So which of these games will be the most telling as it pertains to the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers? Make sure you vote in the poll and give your thoughts in the comments below.