The Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt a crippling blow in their Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but as the 2015 regular season inches to a close the team's 2016 opponents are almost set for the upcoming season. For those who don't know, the NFL is very specific with how they choose opponents.
Here is the process:
- Each NFL division is paired with another AFC and NFC Division
- Play every division opponent twice
- Play the same team in the other AFC divisions who finished in the same position in their division
With that said, the Steelers are paired with the AFC East and the NFC East in 2016, and will be playing a second place schedule. That means their schedule isn't complete as the AFC West division is still up for grabs between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, and the AFC South will likely be the Indianapolis Colts who will finish in second place.
Other than those teams, the NFL has already decided who the opponents are -- except for those two divisions -- and where they will play. See the location and opponents the Steelers will face in 2016:
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, AFC West 2nd place team.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, AFC South 2nd place team.
The 2016 NFL schedule will not be released until late Spring, but at this point the team's 2016 schedule is practically set. Let the debate begin as to 2016 Steelers schedule.