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 eight games on the schedule. Each team plays everyone in their division twice, add another six 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 2017? Well, in 2016 the AFC North was paired with the AFC and NFC East, but in 2017 they are paired up with the AFC South and the NFC North.
Those eight opponents will be:
NFC North
AFC South
The Steelers always play the rest of their division (Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravensand Cleveland Browns) twice, but what about the other two opponents? They will play the first-place team in the AFC East and AFC West divisions. The New England Patriots won the AFC East, which means they’ll be playing the Black-and-Gold next season, as well as the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs.
According to FB Schedules, below are the locations of the known Steelers games next season:
Home
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Jacksonville
Tennessee
Green Bay
Minnesota
New England
Away
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Houston
Indianapolis
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
It seems early to be thinking about next year’s opponents, especially with Pittsburgh preparing for another playoff berth, but it’s always good to know what’s on the horizon for what hopefully is a run at an 8th Lombardi trophy.