The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to reach the playoffs in 2023 after missing the postseason in 2022 for the first time since 2019.
Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons only twice under Mike Tomlin (2012/2013 and 2018/2019).
The Steelers play in one of the tougher divisions in the NFL, but the good news for Pittsburgh is that they’ll have an advantage over most of the AFC in 2023.
The AFC is loaded with playoff-caliber teams so reaching the postseason in 2023 will be no easy task for the Steelers.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they’ll have an easier road to the playoffs — at least on paper — than the other AFC teams hoping to contend for a spot in the postseason.
According to CBS Sports, the Steelers have the No. 25 toughest schedule in the NFL in 2023.
The only AFC teams with an easier schedule than Pittsburgh are the Cleveland Browns (No. 26), Tennessee Titans (No. 28), Indianapolis Colts (No. 29), and Houston Texans (No. 30).
None of the teams below the Steelers are expected to compete for a playoff spot in 2023.
By the way, the AFC South is easily the worst division in the AFC right now.
Pittsburgh plays the entire AFC South in 2023 (they also play the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots, two teams that most are predicting to miss the playoffs this upcoming season).
The Steelers also play the NFC West and the Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers.
Games obviously aren’t played on paper. And any team can win on any given Sunday.
But I imagine most fans would prefer Pittsburgh to be listed with an easier schedule instead of one of the toughest schedules in the league.
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