Examining the Steelers' Schedule

Today, the NFL released the schedule for 2012-2013 season. Here is the Steelers' schedule:

The Steelers will have to wait until
Week 11 until they see the Ravens

Week 1: Sept. 9    at Denver     (8:20pm) NBC*
Week 2: Sept. 16  vs Jets         (4:15pm) CBS
Week 3: Sept. 23  at Raiders    (4:15pm) CBS
Week 4: Bye Week
Week 5: Oct. 7     vs Eagles     (1:00pm) FOX
Week 6: Oct 11    at Titans      (8:20pm) NFL Network*
Week 7: Oct 21    at Bengals   (8:20pm) NBC*
Week 8: Oct 28    vs Redskins (1:00pm)
Week 9: Nov 4     at Giants      (4:15pm) CBS
Week 10:Nov 12  vs Chiefs       (8:30pm) ESPN*
Week 11:Nov 18  vs Ravens     (8:20pm) NBC*
Week 12: Nov 25 at Browns     (1:00pm) CBS
Week 13: Dec 2    at Ravens    (4:15pm) CBS
Week 14: Dec 9   vs Chargers  (1:00pm) CBS
Week 15: Dec 16 at Cowboys  (4:15pm) CBS
Week 16: Dec 23 vs Bengals    (1:00pm) CBS
Week 17: Dec 30 vs Browns     (1:00pm) CBS

*Denotes nationally televised games

The Good

There are many games to look forward to in the 2012-2013 schedule. First off, the Steelers have a chance to exact revenge on the Denver Broncos in week 1. Last season ended abruptly at the hands of the Broncos when Tim Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas for an 80 yard touchdown in the first play of overtime. For fans that live outside of the Pittsburgh area (like myself), there is good news in the fact that Pittsburgh plays in 5 nationally televised games. Among these nationally televised games are: the game at Denver (Sept. 9th on NBC), a divisional game against the Bengals (Oct. 21st on NBC), and the first game against the Ravens (Nov 18th on NBC). 

And... The Bad

There are also some not some admirable aspects of the Steelers' schedule for this upcoming year. The first thing I noticed was the bye in week 4. Personally I think that bye weeks in the middle of the year are best. Another gripe I have is when they play the Ravens. As these two teams are likely to be battling for the division crown (and maybe the conference crown) I would like to see them play in week 17 or week 16. Instead, they play their two games in week 11 (Nov. 18) and in week 13 (Dec. 2nd). Unfortunately the last two games of the year are against the Bengals and then the Browns with both games being played at Heinz Field.