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In every profession, there are situations, clients or specific aspects of the job that you do better with than others. Then there are the ones that rarely go right. The first half of the Steelers’ 87-year history was chock-full of teams that dominated Rooney’s Renegades. That is a major reason why the Steelers have losing records against a majority of NFC squads. In this submission, BTSC lists the teams on the 2020 slate of games that have given a heartburn to Steeler Nation much like that netted from Polish sausage and pierogi weekend bender. Here are the teams that make necessary the Tums.
New York Giants (30-44-3 .409)
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The Giants are one of those teams that owned the Steelers early and often. Pittsburgh was 2-14-1 against the New York Football Giants from 1933-1941. In recent times, the Steelers own a 6-4 record (2-1 in Tomlin era) since against the other storied franchise family that can claim Kate and Rooney Mara. These teams are scheduled to square off at MetLife on Monday Night Football to open the season on September 14.
Denver Broncos (11-20-1 .359)
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The AFC team that the Steelers really have struggled against most in their history is the Denver Broncos. In the beginning, Pittsburgh went 0-3-1 against the Mile Highers and have never really caught up. The Steelers have also only won three of eight playoff games against Denver, but the two teams split their AFC Championship series...a Denver road win after 1997 and a Black and Gold victory in the rarified air to go to Super Bowl XL. Recent Bronco activity has been tough on Steeler Nation as well. Mike Tomlin has a 2-5 record against the blue and orange and the Steelers have only won six of twenty since 1985. The two teams are officially scheduled to play again in Week Two at home.
Philadelphia Eagles (28-48-3 .373)
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The Eagles inclusion on the Steelers schedule has clipped theIr wings throughout time. It wasn’t always that way though, as the Steelers took six of seven from their in-state rivals from 1934-1937. But then things got real bad and the Eagles have dominated throughout the history of the two PA teams. Since the last time the western team won out east in 1965, the Steelers have gone 5-13 against Phily. Mike Tomlin is 1-2 against the green clad devils and the teams will reunite Week Five at Heinz Field.
Washington Redskins (33-42-3 .442)
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Against the Redskins, the Steelers are 33-42-3 since 1933. But in recent times, Steeler Nation enjoys seeing Washington on their schedule. They have won six-straight dating back to 1997 and are 8-3 since 1973. However, the series started off with the Steelers going 4-19 against the Redskins from 1933-1945. The two teams will battle again on December 8th in Pittsburgh.
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-14 .462)
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Thrust into an AFC Central rivalry with a loss in 1995, the Steelers and Jags have swapped big blows for almost 25 years. The Steelers won a thriller in 2018, but Jacksonville has devestatingly knocked Mike Tomlin’s team out of the playoffs twice (2007, 2017). Tomlin is 4-3 against the Northern Florida team and despite no longer being in the same division...the rivalry is real and will recommence on November 22 in Duval.
Dallas Cowboys (15-17 .469)
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Just like against the Saints two seasons ago, the Steelers lost an absolute heartbreaker to Dallas in 2016 that would have evened the series between teams with a rich Super Bowl history and out-of-conference rivalry. In the series that included Steelers wins in SB X and XIII and a loss in SB XXX, there have been stretches of dominance by both teams. Mike Tomlin is 1-2 in his history against “America’s Team” (a title the Rooney Family rejected) and the Steelers are only 2-6 against them since 1991. The two teams will face off again November 8th in Dallas.
While some of these teams listed aren’t true tormentors of the Steelers now like they were in the early days of the NFL, teams like the Eagles, Broncos and Jaguars have had Pittsburgh’s number as of late. However, the Steelers could be favored against all three this season and bridge the gap. So streaks may happen and fortunes could change. Just be aware of history the next time you see these teams listed on the game slates.