The official NFL schedule is set to be released tonight, ending all questions on when fans can expect the biggest matchups of the 2018-2019 season. We know the Steelers will host the Falcons, Panthers, Chiefs, Chargers and Patriots along with their normal divisional opponents; their away opponents will be the Broncos, Saints, Buccaneers, Raiders, and Jaguars along with the normal divisional matchups.
That means we know they face six opponents that made the playoffs in 2017, chief among them being the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, the Jaguars, and the current AFC champion, the Patriots.
But which games are the best primetime options that could become the biggest draw for fans? Here's a look at some great options for primetime slots:
• Steelers vs. Ravens: First and foremost, it has become the norm to expect a late-season matchup between the Steelers and Ravens in prime time. Even though the Ravens have missed the playoffs the last three seasons, they have remained in the AFC North race late into the year more often than not.
Adding to the rivalry between these two will be an exciting matchup between the Ravens' cornerbacks, Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey, and the Steelers' Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant. Smith has a good record of work against Brown and Humphrey could be one of the better young cornerbacks in the NFL, and they'll go up against what might be the strongest wide receiver corps in the league.
When you consider the drama and last-minute heroics produced in the past two late-season showdowns, both of which the Steelers won, the NFL is definitely going to want to make sure that there's another chance for those heroics to be in a night game.
• Steelers vs. Falcons: Even though the Falcons couldn't defend their NFC crown last season, they still have one of the better rosters in the league. They'll be right along with the Steelers as preseason favorites to be Super Bowl contenders. And both offenses have the personnel to put up points in bunches.
One of the biggest NFL arguments the past three seasons has been who is the league's best receiver in the Steelers' Brown or the Falcons' Julio Jones. It would make a lot of sense to put both on display for a night game at Heinz Field for what could be a shootout.
• Steelers vs. Bengals: Though the Bengals might not be one of the most exciting teams going into 2018, the NFL knows bad blood sells. And there's still plenty of hatred between the rosters of these two teams. Scheduling a night game shortly after Vontaze Burfict returns from his suspension will surely be a storyline that attracts fans, especially after Burfict was shown up by Smith-Schuster in Cincinnati last season after years of him injuring Steelers stars.
• Steelers at Saints: The Saints were revived in 2017 behind stellar rookie performances from Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore, helping rejuvenate Drew Brees' chances of a second Super Bowl ring.
Lattimore facing off against Brown will certainly turn heads, but I'm particularly intrigued by how the Saints' offense will evolve in 2018. Their thunder-and-lightning running back duo of Mark Ingram and Kamara was fun to watch and can present nightmares if the Steelers' run defense doesn't improve from 2017.
The Saints fell short against the last-second heroics of the Vikings' Stephon Diggs, but they're absolutely a group that could make another run and get further in the playoffs this year. And that doesn't even take into account two veteran quarterbacks dueling, in the form of Brees and Ben Roethlisberger.
• Steelers vs. Panthers: I expect the Panthers to finally give Cam Newton a serious receiving threat in this upcoming draft after they traded Kelvin Benjamin away to the Bills last year and left Newton with no big names at the position.
Christian McCaffrey had a decent rookie season and started to find his place in the offense working next to Newton. If Luke Kuechly is healthy for this game, it could be fun to see him square up with Le'Veon Bell in the hole several times as the Steelers look to dominate the game with their superstar running back.
• Steelers at Raiders: The Raiders were arguably the most disappointing team of 2017, but they still have several big names such as Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack on the roster that make them a draw. There's also the history of the two franchises as rivals that always works into the narrative. But when you consider the Raiders will soon be leaving for Las Vegas, the NFL might use this game as a sendoff.
I expect the Raiders to add a big name on defense to their roster in the form of Roquan Smith or Derwin James. They would add to the star talent and give their new head coach, Jon Gruden, a big boost to the unit that could make them tough in what should be an interesting year for the AFC West.
• Steelers vs. Chiefs: Mike Tomlin has a pretty good record against Andy Reid's Chiefs (4-1), but the two teams are still contenders with big names that will make for a decent matchup. I expect this one to be more of a 4:15 p.m. game, but there's still a chance, with the young combination of Kareem Hunt and Patrick Maholmes, the NFL could want to pit them against the Steelers in a night game.
If Eric Berry is able to return and have a healthy year, there's a chance he rejuvenates the Chiefs' defense . He has been an elite safety when he's able to be on the field.
• Steelers at Browns: OK, hear me out, I know they're still the Browns and all, but there's going to be some serious buzz about this team early on with all the moves they've made and whoever the two top five picks will be.
Jarvis Landry with Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman looks like a serious receiver trio on paper, and they'll be adding a quarterback with the first-overall pick to work with them. If Saquon Barkley is available for the fourth pick, that would complete the offense's skill players with a list of young big names.
The NFL could easily make an early season matchup with the Steelers be a night game to build off the excitement of their upgraded roster. Putting it in Cleveland would only add to that excitement as fans would fill the stadium and be electric if this new generation of Browns could finally knock off their big brother from the south.
• Steelers vs. Patriots: It's Tom Brady, do I need to say much else? Their last game still gets talked about for how the Steelers almost won and Rob Gronkowski took over in the fourth quarter. These two teams are the favorites to face off in the AFC championship this year if they're both healthy, but there's a real question on the Patriots' defense with Malcolm Butler gone.
I expect the Patriots to address cornerback with an early pick in the draft, but will that be enough to stop the Steelers' receivers? CBS has made sure to have this game as a 4:15 p.m. matchup the past few times these two teams squared off, but making this a night game is never out of the question.
• Steelers at Jaguars: Had the Jaguars closed out the season with a Super Bowl win, I would've expected this to be the season-opening Thursday night game. But they still have one of the NFL's most talented defenses and embarrassed the Steelers twice at Heinz Field in 2017.
This rematch has the potential of getting nasty between the two teams. Leonard Fournette will look to build off his strong rookie debut along with the tough offensive line the Jaguars have been building. Though Mike Mitchell is gone, Telvin Smith, Jalen Ramsey and that Jacksonville defense are going to be looking to reassert their dominance over one of the NFL's most talented offenses.
Every NFL fan would want to see every minute of that.
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