PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers won a Super Bowl after enduring one of the NFL's toughest schedules in 2008, but things will get a little easier when they try to defend their title in 2009.
Pittsburgh's schedule was released by the National Football League Tuesday night, with five of the team's games slotted for primetime.
The Steelers begin their championship defense and the 2009 NFL season at home against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 p.m.
They only have one other primetime game at home against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 8:20 p.m.
Following a bye week on Nov. 1 (Week 8), the team heads to Denver for a Monday night showdown with the Broncos on Nov. 9.
It appears the Baltimore Ravens -- 0-3 against the Steelers last season -- got their wish of not wanting to play primetime games in Pittsburgh granted as the Steelers will travel to Baltimore for a Sunday night clash on Nov. 29.
The Steelers' final primetime game will be played in Cleveland against the divisional rival Browns on Thursday, Dec. 10.
Only six of Pittsburgh's 16 games are against teams that made the playoffs in 2008.
That includes two meetings with the division rival
Baltimore Ravens, who the Steelers beat in last season's AFC championship game.
The other four playoff teams on the Steelers' 2009 schedule were all division champions in 2008:
Tennessee (AFC South),
Miami (AFC East),
San Diego (NFC West) and
Minnesota (NFC North).
But the Steelers will also play some cupcakes in 2009 -- including the winless
Detroit Lions, who became the NFL's first 0-16 team last season; the
Kansas City Chiefs, who only won twice; and AFC North punching bags
Cleveland and
Cincinnati, who each went 4-12.
And on the road, the Steelers will only have to travel as far west as
Denver for a road game against the Broncos (8-8).
Aside from the five playoff teams, none of the Steelers' other 2009 opponents had winning records in 2008.
On paper, it appears to be a significant downgrade from last year's schedule, which included the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (12-4), Indianapolis Colts (12-4), New England Patriots (11-5) and Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1).
Fans React To Steelers' Schedule
WTAE Channel 4's Jon Greiner gathered fan reaction soon after the team released the schedule. Greiner said a typical reaction is that on a 10-scale of toughness, this looks to about a four.
Last year's Steelers' schedule was rated one of the toughest in the league. Fans at Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 got a look at this year's schedule just out, and some die-hard fans said it's not the schedule, it's the team.
"I mean. it's good that we have an easier schedule, but it didn't matter last year having a harder schedule and still winning the Super Bowl," said Dominic Papa, a fan.
Most fans with whom WTAE Channel 4 Action News spoke said they are at least a little relieved to see this year's opponents.
"(I was a) little nervous going into last season with how difficult it all looked, but with this looking really easy, I think we got a good chance of maybe repeating," said Matt Theys, a fan.
One of the highlights of the year will come in the first game with a rematch against the Tennessee Titans. Fans who remember running back Lendale White stomping on the Terrible Towel think he may be a little sore after the game.
"Yes, he will be. He's going to be dead, not literally, but he's sore. That's a good way to put it," said Sharon Boschini, a fan.
After the first two home games of the season, which are at night, the Steelers have all six remaining home games scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., and for many, that's good.
"(That's) much, much better," said Bill Billeten, a fan. "Last year, I sold off a lot of my tickets because by the time you get home, get to bed, the late Monday night game, it makes it tough to get up the next day for work."
Steelers Pre-Season
|
| Date | Opponent | Kickoff |
| Thursday, Aug. 13 | Arizona Cardinals | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday Aug. 22 | at Washington Redskins | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | Buffalo Bills | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | at Carolina Panthers | 8 p.m. |
Steelers Regular Season
|
| Date | Opponent | Kickoff |
| Thursday, Sept. 10 | Tennessee Titans | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, Sept. 20 | at Chicago Bears | 4:15 p.m. |
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | at Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 4 | San Diego Chargers | 8:20 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | at Detroit Lions | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 18 | Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 25 | Minnesota Vikings | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 1 | Bye |
| Monday, Nov. 9 | at Denver Broncos | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 15 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | at Kansas City Chiefs | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 29 | at Baltimore Ravens | 8:20 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 6 | Oakland Raiders | 1 p.m. |
| Thursday, Dec. 10 | at Cleveland Browns | 8:20 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | Green Bay Packers | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 27 | Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 | at Miami Dolphins | 1 p.m. |
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