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The NFL schedule is complex, but if you know the reasoning behind it, it really is rather simple. The equation to a 16-game schedule is as follows:
Every year each division is paired up with both an AFC and NFC division, which represents 8 games on the schedule. Each team plays everyone in their division twice, add another 6 games. So, where do the other two games come from to round out the schedule? Depending on which place the team finishes, they play the other teams who finished with the same ranking in the other two divisions.
So, who will the Pittsburgh Steelers be playing in 2020? Well, in 2019 the AFC North was paired with the AFC East and the NFC West, but in 2020 they are paired up with the AFC South and the NFC East.
Those 8 opponents will be:
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans
NFC East
Washington Redskins
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
The Steelers always play the rest of their division (Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns) twice, but what about the other two opponents. They will play the second place team in the AFC East and AFC West divisions. The New England Patriots won the AFC East for the 11th straight season, which means they will not be playing the black and gold next year in the regular season. Meanwhile, it will be another season of playing the Buffalo Bills for the Steelers. The AFC West second place opponent was finalized when the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders to in Week 17.
According to FB Schedules, below is the location of the known Steelers game next season:
Home
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia Eagles
Denver Broncos
Away
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
New York Giants
Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas Cowboys
Buffalo Bills
Tennessee Titans
It seems early to be thinking about next year’s opponents, especially with Pittsburgh’s season ending the way it did in Baltimore, but it is always good to know what is on the horizon for the black-and-gold.