If Mike Tomlin was asked what his “must-win” Pittsburgh Steelers games are in 2023, he’d probably say all of them. However, some games can be more important to the season than others. The three most vital games for the Steelers in 2023 are in Weeks 1, 12 and 18.
When the 49ers come into Pittsburgh, it will be the first week one home game for the Steelers since 2014. The fans will be out in great numbers, as they have been waiting for a home kickoff for almost a decade.
The first game of the season is always an important one to set the tone. If the Steelers can kick their season off with a win, it will create optimism and continuity in the locker room. Everything they worked so hard for in the offseason has finally paid off (at least temporarily).
This applies to almost every NFL team though, nobody wants to start the season with a loss. This game is essential to the Steelers because of the talent of the 49ers. The 49ers are an extremely good team. They were one game away from the Superbowl last year. If the Steelers can beat them, it proves the team is ready to legitimately contend with the top dogs.
After 12 weeks of the season, the Steelers should have a pretty good idea who they are as a team. If the team is competing to win the division, beating the Bengals will be the number one priority.
Star quarterback Joe Burrow will most likely have the Bengals in position to win the division. Cincinnati is a formidable opponent and will most likely be the most challenging opponent the Steelers will face. This game is the true test of how far the Steelers can go.
On a larger scale, this game comes right before a three game stretch of Arizona, New England, and Indianapolis. While it’s difficult to say for certain right now, all three of these teams seem extremely beatable. Directly after, the Steelers play Cincinnati again, and then two road games against Seattle and Baltimore.
The Steelers are going to need all the momentum they can get heading into the last three weeks of the season (and potentially the playoffs). Beating the Bengals in week 12 could possibly kick off the win streak that starts a playoff run.
A must-win Pittsburgh Steelers game list would never be complete without a Steelers-Ravens matchup. This is one of the most historic rivalries in the sport. The game has great meaning to fans even without playoff implications in play.
That being said, this game could be very impactful for how the 2023 playoffs will shake out. Both the Ravens and Steelers expect to compete in the playoffs. This game could easily be the one that determines the winner of the AFC North.
There is also a very possible scenario where this game knocks either of the teams out of the playoffs. It’s impossible to predict the implications, but it is very likely this game will be a must-win for both teams.
Stay tuned for more exciting NFL content, including roster moves, in depth analysis, and more news from around the league.
Feature image courtesy of Steelers.com
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