Bringing back a series we’ve done each of the last four seasons, looking at three games that could have major implications for the Steelers. Last season, the Steelers went 2-1 in the three games highlighted and made the playoffs. The Week 15 win over the Dolphins was a particularly big one for Pittsburgh, as it gave them momentum, the second of an eventual three-game streak that proved key to the Steelers winning the division. Without further ado, let’s look at three games that could make or break the Steelers in 2026.
Week 4 at Cleveland Browns
For the third year in a row, we’re including a matchup against the Browns in here. This one is particularly early, and particularly important. The Steelers have a difficult schedule after their bye, but before the bye, they play just one playoff team in the New England Patriots in Week 2.
But just because a team missed the postseason last season doesn’t make them any less of a threat. The Cincinnati Bengals are healthy and improved on defense, and the Steelers host the Bengals in Week 3. I’d like to see them come out of their first three games at 2-1 (vs. Falcons, at Patriots, vs. Bengals). But there’s a very real chance that they come out of it at 1-2, and I’m not discounting the Kevin Stefanski-led Falcons either, even with uncertainty at quarterback. That means getting a win in Week 4 is crucial.
If the Steelers are 2-1, they’ll have a level of comfort at 3-1 with a matchup at home against the Colts in Week 5. 2-2 isn’t a great place to be, but it’s much better than 1-3. The Steelers lost in Cleveland last year, which set up the winner-take-all Week 18 matchup against the Ravens. They’ll need to fair better in this matchup to avoid a potentially rough start to the season.
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos
There’s a stampede coming to Pittsburgh on Black Friday, and it won’t be at the West Mifflin Walmart. It’ll be at Acrisure Stadium when the Steelers face off against the fearsome Denver Broncos defense that racked up 68 sacks last season.
This game is smack dab in the middle of a pretty brutal stretch for the Steelers. They go on the road in Week 10 against Cincinnati and Week 11 against the Eagles, return home on short rest for this matchup before hosting the Texans in Week 13, traveling to Jacksonville in Week 14 and hosting the Ravens in Week 15.
That’s not going to be easy. It’ll be extremely impressive if the Steelers escape that five-game stretch with a winning record, and the key could be beating the Broncos. The Bengals game in Week 10 could go either way. Lincoln Financial Field has been a house of horrors for the Steelers, and there’s a real chance they’re riding a two-game losing streak against Denver, making this a very important game.
A loss here before a matchup with a Texans team that completely shut the Steelers down in the AFC Wild Card Round last year could lead to a really ugly stretch. A win, and the Steelers could potentially survive the brutal stretch and put themselves in a good spot to make the postseason.
Week 18 at Baltimore Ravens
After last season, need I say more? This could be another game that decides who wins the AFC North. It may not be win-or-go-home for both teams like last year’s contest was, but it might be for the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s playoff fate will almost surely come down to the last few weeks of the season, and this could very well be the game that decides it.
There’s no Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh on the sidelines for either of these teams. But it’s still Steelers-Ravens. Baltimore upgraded their pass-rush with the addition of Trey Hendrickson, and if Lamar Jackson stays healthy, this team will be as dangerous as any in the NFL.
In an ideal world, the Steelers have a playoff spot locked up before this game, but I have a feeling this game will wind up being the most important one on the schedule.