Steelers game-by-game, record predictions for 2023 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers were 9-8 last year but, with roster improvements, let’s make game-by-game predictions for their 2023 season with the schedule out.

A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers turned the page in the franchise’s history to begin the Kenny Pickett chapter after drafting the quarterback in the first round. He didn’t begin the year as a starter but took over early on. In doing so, he helped manage a highly imperfect offense on the opposite side of the ball from an elite defense and kept Mike Tomlin’s streak of above-.500 seasons alive with a 9-8 finish.

That wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs, but the vibes are high for the Steelers coming into the 2023 season. Not only is Pickett back, as is most of the defense, but Pittsburgh upgraded the offensive line to address a major weakness with the signing of Isaac Seumalo at guard and then drafting tackle Broderick Jones in the first round. Additionally, they pulled off basically a no-risk, all-reward trade for Allen Robinson while also restructuring the defense, perhaps improving the secondary.

Now that we have a look at the 2023 Steelers schedule (a bit ahead of time), what does all of this mean for the upcoming season? Let’s take a look at Steelers game-by-predictions to formulate a final record prediction for Pittsburgh this year, starting in Week 1 against the 49ers.

Steelers schedule 2023: Game-by-game predictions, Weeks 1-2

Kyle Shanahan is a wizard and, make no mistake, the 49ers are a dangerous team. However, the uncertainty at quarterback coming into the year with Brock Purdy making his way back from offseason elbow surgery makes me wonder how functional the offense will look in Week 1. Against this Steelers defense and with Pickett getting to attack a San Francisco secondary I’m lukewarm on, Pittsburgh will start off the year in the win column.

With a full offseason for Deshaun Watson and a Browns offense that, frankly, people are sleeping on in a significant way, Cleveland could definitely surprise some people early on in the season. They’ll show as much in Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football in Week 2.

Watson and Nick Chubb will have some success against the Steelers defense in this game, making them look a bit mortal. The big worry for the Browns, however, is that their own defense still looks incomplete. They won’t have enough answers for the Pittsburgh offense on the road.