Post-bye stretch of road games should challenge Patriots.

[Greenbacks]

Post-bye stretch of road games should challenge Patriots.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the New England Patriots' schedule was released in April, my early projection was a 13-3 record. Now that we've seen the team in training camp and preseason, with Julian Edelman's season-ending torn ACL a most notable injury, let's freshen that up.

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 7, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:25 p.m. ET
This game kicks off the NFL season, and the Patriots' Super Bowl championship banner will be unveiled in a ceremony that owner Robert Kraft said should give fans a great surprise, as there has been ongoing construction at the stadium. It should be a special night. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Patriots' defense has some early struggles this season, and facing a Drew Brees-led passing game on the road is a tougher test than it seems. The Patriots were blown out in New Orleans in 2009, and while this game should be closer, I think it's arguably one of the Patriots' most challenging of the season. Bill Belichick is usually still tweaking the roster at this time as September is essentially an extension of the preseason. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
It’s déjà vu from 2016, with Bill O'Brien and the Texans coming to town in Week 3, the only difference being that this one isn't on a Thursday night. The teams had an excellent set of joint practices in mid-August, and the Texans gave the Patriots' offense some issues. A key in this game will be the Patriots' ability to handle the interior rush. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
The "Under Armour Bowl" between two of the company's biggest ambassadors -- Tom Brady vs. Cam Newton -- is rare because the last time Carolina was in town for a regular-season game was 2009. The Panthers will have played back-to-back home games against the Bills and Saints entering this one. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 5, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:25 p.m. ET
Here is the type of schedule nugget that can be fun to uncover: Outside of Thanksgiving, the Patriots haven't played a Thursday night road game since 1990, a 17-10 loss at Miami in which quarterback Marc Wilson couldn’t outduel Dan Marino. The Patriots haven't had too many days in recent years when they've been on the bad end of such a lopsided quarterback duel. The Buccaneers will be coming off a home game against the Giants in Week 4. Record: 4-1.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets will be coming off a road game against the Browns, which should provide a good indication of whether their 2017 season has much hope. Outside of the "Butt Fumble" game, road contests against the Jets traditionally have been tough for the Patriots. Record: 5-1.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m. ET
For this rematch of Super Bowl LI, the Falcons will have had their bye in Week 5 and then a home game against the Dolphins. At that point, the Falcons will have played the Bears (road), Packers (home), Lions (road), Bills (home) and Dolphins (home), so the impact of their Super Bowl hangover will be interesting to monitor. Record: 6-1.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. ET
Check out the stretch the Chargers will go through leading to this game: at the Giants, at the Raiders and home against Denver. That's a tough challenge under first-year coach Anthony Lynn. Record: 7-1.

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, at Denver Broncos, 8:30 p.m. ET
In the NFL Films-produced DVD commemorating the Patriots’ Super Bowl championship season of 2016, behind-the-scenes footage from the locker room had Bill Belichick telling players how everyone told them they couldn't win in Denver but that didn't apply to that year's team. Cool stuff. In a tough stretch, Denver will be coming off three straight road games leading into this one: against the Giants, Chiefs (Monday night) and Eagles. Record: 8-1.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19, at Oakland Raiders (Mexico City), 4:25 p.m. ET
For the second time this year, Brady's jersey will return to town from Mexico, only this time it will be in his bag. The Raiders will be coming off a bye week, which could be the deciding factor in the altitude. Perhaps Belichick keeps the Patriots in Denver the week prior to offset that. Record: 8-2.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
Receiver Jarvis Landry has his Dolphins sweeping the Patriots, which is the type of bulletin-board material New England players likely will dismiss leading up to the game, then remind Landry of afterward if the result doesn't go his way. The Dolphins will be coming off a bye week, but that might not be enough to win in Foxborough as the Patriots kick off a stretch in which they play five AFC East games in six weeks. Record: 9-2.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
The first potential bad-weather game for the Patriots. The club hasn't played a December road game in Buffalo since 2010. Record: 10-2.

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 11, at Miami Dolphins, 8:30 p.m. ET
It is a bit unusual to play a team twice in a span of three weeks in the regular season. How unusual? It has happened only once before for the Patriots in the Belichick era: his first season, in 2000, when the Patriots hosted the Colts on Oct. 8 (win), then visited them on Oct. 22 (loss). In 2001, the Patriots and Colts (who at the time were AFC East rivals before realignment moved Indianapolis to the AFC South in 2002) had a three-week split between meetings. Record: 10-3

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. ET
This looks like a tough spot for the Patriots (fifth road game in six weeks), even given their success against the Steelers in 2016. But taking a closer look at things, the Steelers will be coming off their own tough stretch of four straight prime-time games: Titans (home/Thursday), Packers (home/Sunday), Bengals (road/Monday) and Ravens (home/Sunday). Record: 10-4.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
Home for the holidays -- a nice present from the NFL. In the Belichick era, when the Patriots have played on Christmas Eve, they have been home against the Jets (2016), home against the Dolphins (2011 and 2000) and on the road against the Jaguars (2006). Record: 11-4.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
It's hard to imagine the Jets being in the playoff mix at this point, and if the Patriots have already wrapped things up, they could be resting players for the playoffs. A tough game to project because of that. Record: 12-4.

 

[Greenbacks]

Green Bay Packers.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers wants the NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field; he said as much after the Green Bay Packers lost at Atlanta in the conference title game in January. And to gain home-field advantage for the playoffs, Rodgers said, the Packers can't have the kind of slow start they did last year, when they went 4-6.
The schedule-makers did not give the Packers any help in their quest to start fast. Two of the NFC favorites -- Seattle and Atlanta -- are first up. But if the Packers can just split those two games, the schedule sets them up for an better mark than the 11-5 that was predicted here shortly after the schedule came out in April.
Here's a revised game-by-game prediction for the 2017 season:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET
Yes, there's still a bad taste from the 2014 NFC Championship Game collapse at Seattle, but the Packers have won the two meetings since then, including a 38-10 rout last year at Lambeau Field. Not even Eddie Lacy's debut with Seattle should change that. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17 at Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m. ET
How much better are the Packers than they were in the 44-21 beating they took in last season's NFC title game? That depends on their defense, and it might be too early for Dom Capers' unit to jell. Record: 1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Bengals aren't the team they were when the Packers last played them, in 2013, when Cincinnati was in the midst of a run of five straight playoff berths. The Bengals missed the postseason last year and appear to be a team on the decline. Record: 2-1

Week 4: Thursday, Sept. 28 vs. Chicago Bears, 8:25 p.m. ET
Another Thursday night game between the archrivals at Lambeau Field. They played on Thanksgiving night in 2015 and in an October Thursday game last year. Ty Montgomery had two big games against the Bears last season -- 10 catches in the home win and 162 yards rushing in the road win. Record: 3-1

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8 at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET
This game doesn't look nearly as daunting now if Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension holds up. Elliott rushed for 157 and 125 yards against the Packers in the two meetings last season. Record: 4-1

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15 at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Mike Zimmer's defenses always make it tough on Rodgers. The Packers' offense struggled against the Vikings last year at U.S. Bank Stadium, so don't be surprised if it's a second straight loss there. Record: 4-2

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
This is the chance for the Packers to go on a run. Three of the next four are at home, plus there's a bye week in there to get healthy. Record: 5-2

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 6 vs. Detroit Lions, 8:30 p.m. ET
Matthew Stafford had a pair of big games against the Packers last year -- 385 yards at Lambeau and 347 at Ford Field. This is the chance for Capers' unit to prove it's better than the 31st-ranked passing defense it was last season. Record: 6-2

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Will rookie Mitchell Trubisky be quarterbacking for the Bears by this point? Either way, it probably won't make a difference. The Packers have won 20 of the past 24 at Soldier Field, including the 2010 NFC title game, and many have been high-scoring affairs. The Packers have put up at least 30 in each of the past four games at Chicago. Record: 7-2

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19 vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
There's not much history between these teams, but the Packers have gotten the better of it, going 4-1 all time, including 3-0 at home. This one should be no different. Record: 8-2

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26 at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m. ET
A prime-time game against one of the AFC favorites could be among the last tough tests on the schedule. It's also a matchup of last season's conference championship game losers, and could end a nice winning streak for the Packers. Record: 8-3

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
It was about this time in 2014 against the Bucs when Rodgers injured his calf. The quarterback also experienced calf trouble late in the season last year. That's about the only thing that would slow the Packers down in this one. Record: 9-3

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10 at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
How many wins will the Browns have by this point in the season? They didn't have any at this time last year, and they won't win this one. Record: 10-3

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
<article class="ad-300"></article>The Panthers expect to rebound from a disappointing 2016 season, and if that's the case this could be as tough a road test as the Packers face. This could be a game that greatly impacts home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Record: 10-4

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 23 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 p.m. ET
Mike McCarthy's teams have practically dominated the Vikings at Lambeau Field, going 9-2-1 including playoffs. It's the second straight season these teams meet in Green Bay in Week 16. Expect the same result as last year. Record: 11-4

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
The Packers might have the NFC North title wrapped up by now, but they might need this one to secure one of the top two seeds and a first-round bye. Record: 12-4

 

[Greenbacks]

Atlanta Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons open their new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium with high expectations coming off of last year's Super Bowl appearance.
Reigning MVP Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman have the offense primed to put up record-setting numbers, while coach Dan Quinn's defense, led by NFL sacks leader Vic Beasley Jr., is faster and deeper than for any of Quinn's three seasons with the club.
Will the Falcons avoid a Super Bowl hangover and clear the memories of that devastating 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots from their heads? Only time will tell.
Here are game-by-game predictions for how the Falcons might fare in 2017:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
The perfect cure for a Super Bowl hangover is facing a rebuilding team that finished 3-13 the year before. Ryan vs. Mike Glennon should be no match. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. ET
The atmosphere should be electric for this game, the Falcons' first regular-season contest in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's Ryan vs. Aaron Rodgers in an NFC Championship Game rematch, and Ryan has won the last two matchups between the quarterbacks. Record: 2-0.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
Ryan gets to see his offseason rec league basketball teammate, Lions QB Matthew Stafford, who just landed a big new contract. The Falcons and Ryan should be able to take advantage of what was the league's third-worst red-zone defense in 2016. Record: 3-0.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
The Bills might not be a pushover, but the Falcons should be just fine at home. The Bills ranked 29th against the run last season, so Freeman and Tevin Coleman might both have explosive days. Buffalo sort of gave up on the season when it traded star receiver Sammy Watkins. Record: 4-0.

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons' offensive line has to contain Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh and keep Ryan upright. Yes, Miami now has Jay Cutler at quarterback, but that simply should mean more interceptions for Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford and company. Record: 5-0.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m. ET
The much-anticipated Super Bowl LI rematch will be must-see TV. From the Falcons' perspective, they have to step on the gas on offense and run the ball if they have the lead late. But beating Tom Brady at home is a tall task. Record: 5-1.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Although it's the second consecutive game on the road, the Falcons should have no issues against a Jets team that's been in disarray. The Jets might have the worst roster in the league. Record: 6-1.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons frustrated Cam Newton and the Panthers last season, winning both games. Newton and the Panthers will be a little extra motivated to prove they can still compete for the division title. Record: 6-2.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET
Plenty of star power, with Ryan vs. Dak Prescott, Julio Jones vs. Dez Bryant, and Freeman vs. Ezekiel Elliott, provided Elliott's six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy isn't drawn out by a long appeal. The Cowboys have something to prove after failing to make this matchup happen in last year's NFC Championship Game. Record: 6-3.

Week 11: Monday, Nov. 20, at Seattle Seahawks, 8:30 p.m. ET
Maybe All-Pro wide receiver Jones will get his rematch against cornerback Richard Sherman, who got away with a hold in last year's Seahawks win in Seattle. Dan Quinn going back to Seattle, where he was the defensive coordinator, is always a storyline. Record: 7-3.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Now the NFC South action really heats up as Jameis Winston, DeSean Jackson & Co. visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons won't lose to the Buccaneers at home for the third straight season. No way. Record: 8-3.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Looks like a Falcons win on paper, but there's always a game a team shouldn't lose but does. The Vikings' front seven is no joke. Record: 8-4.

Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 7, vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m. ET
This game between bitter rivals could go either way, especially with Drew Brees still capable of putting up big numbers. The Falcons and Saints were the top two scoring offenses in the league last season, but only the Falcons averaged more than 30 points per game. Record: 9-4.

Week 15: Monday, Dec. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:30 p.m. ET
Dirk Koetter's Buccaneers are an improving team, and Winston is on the rise. At home they'll be tough to beat, especially if defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is on his game. Record: 9-5.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Maybe the division title will be on the line. Maybe not. Whatever the case, Ryan and the Falcons will find a way to finish strong, just as coach Dan Quinn preaches all the time. Record: 10-5.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Beasley and the Falcons ring in the New Year by putting Newton on his back and securing their second straight division title. It will happen as long as everyone stays healthy. Record: 11-5.

 

[Greenbacks]

Carolina Panthers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – There are still questions about the strength of quarterback Cam Newton's surgically-repaired shoulder, but there’s no question the Carolina Panthers are more talented and deeper than they were a year ago.
The Super Bowl Hangover appears to be over, too.
The Christian McCaffrey Era is beginning, and the first-round pick out of Stanford has added an element to the offense that should take some pressure off of Newton. The defense should return to top-10 form with the addition of end Julius Peppers and safety Mike Adams.
I predicted the Panthers would go 10-6 when the schedule came out in April.
Here’s my revised game-by-game prediction:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET
It seems fitting that the Panthers begin their rebound from a disastrous 2016 season in the stadium where they began their tumble into disaster last year. The good news is the Denver Broncos won’t be at Levi’s Stadium when the Panthers return to the site of their Super Bowl 50 loss at the end of the 2015 season. The 49ers, in a rebuilding mode, aren’t close to Super Bowl form. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
The Bills have former Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott as their head coach, former assistant general manager Brandon Beane as their general manager and a few former Panthers players. What they don’t have is the overall firepower to beat Carolina in its home opener. Record: 2-0.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be wishing he had a weapon like McCaffrey. The way the Saints have played defense the past three years, the former Stanford star will have a field day. Record: 3-0

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
Tom Brady has a record of 120-21 at home. Newton is 23-24-1 on the road. You didn’t really think the Panthers were on the way to another 14-0 start as they were in 2015, did you? Not here. Record: 3-1

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
I had this one marked as a loss for Carolina in April. But the Lions haven’t had consecutive winning seasons since 1994-95, and the odds say that will continue. Record: 4-1

Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 12, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:25 p.m. ET (CBS/NFL Amazon)
These teams met in a prime-time game during Week 6 of the 2015 season, and the Panthers rolled 27-16. Short weeks haven’t traditionally been good for the road team. Record: 5-1

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
The reunion tour for Peppers begins. Peppers left the Panthers after the 2009 season to go to Chicago, where he had 37.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl three times in four years. He was 3-0 against Carolina during that span. He’ll be 1-0 against the Bears this time around. Record: 6-1

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Hard knocks, Episode No. 223. OK, so the show only went through training camp. But the Panthers will take some hard knocks from a much-improved Tampa Bay defense in this one. Record: 6-2

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
The Panthers can tell the Falcons all about the Super Bowl Hangover. It’s real. Record: 7-2

Week 10: Monday, Nov. 13, vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN MNF)
The Mike Shula reunion tour begins and ends here. You can bet ESPN will have a full segment on how the Carolina offensive coordinator used to sit in the stands as his legendary dad, Don Shula, led the Dolphins to a couple of Super Bowl victories. Record: 8-2

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19
Bye

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
My favorite all-time Panthers’ memory occurred against the Jets. It was a 1995 game at Clemson, and linebacker Sam Mills intercepted a Bubby Brister shovel pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown to give Carolina its first-ever victory. The Jets still make those kinds of mistakes. Record: 9-2

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Carolina corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley have grown up a lot since being abused by Brees in the Louisiana Superdome a year ago. But Brees is still Brees, particularly at home. Record: 9-3

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Who knows how last season would have gone for Carolina had Kelvin Benjamin not been called for an illegal block that negated a 56-yard Fozzy Whittaker touchdown catch. That would have given the Panthers a 15-point lead in the second quarter. Instead, it started a spiral toward a 2-5 start. Record: 10-3

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET
The Peppers reunion tour continues against the team he spent the past three seasons playing outside linebacker for. But this isn’t the Bears, and Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers. Record: 10-4

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Cam Newton’s shoulder, which bothered him during a late-season loss to the Bucs a year ago, should be at full strength by now. So Tampa Bay can’t count on three more interceptions. Record: 11-4

Week 17: Dec. 31, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
Making a prediction here: Julio Jones won’t have 300 yards receiving like he did the last time these teams met in Atlanta. But the Falcons will still win, and this one could decide the NFC South title. Record: 11-5

 

[Greenbacks]

Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers aim for a fourth consecutive AFC playoff spot and are a trendy Super Bowl pick once again. But this isn't a team without concern. Le'Veon Bell sat out training camp. Several defensive starters missed significant practice time. And the back end of the 2017 schedule is unfriendly. Overall, though, a double-digit-win season is still in the forecast.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers' defense should get a nice confidence boost against the Browns' quarterback concoction. DeShone Kizer could be the long-term answer, but not this Sunday, which should equate to Ben Roethlisberger's 22nd win over Cleveland. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings have one of the league's most talented defenses but their scoring average was 17.1 points per road game in the last six games last year. And they didn't appear to get much better on that side of the ball. The Steelers usually are good for at least 20 in Heinz. Record: 2-0

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
The Trubisky Train might be rolling through the streets of Chicago by Week 3. The Steelers are 5-5 in their past 10 matchups with the Bears, who weren't in transition mode during most of those games. They are now. Record: 3-0

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers are allergic to scoring at M&T Bank Stadium, where they've produced 57 points over their past four matchups. Baltimore just finds a way to stifle the Steelers' passing game. The Ravens' offense is choppy at best, but they win a low-scoring affair here. Record: 3-1

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
No matter Leonard Fournette's potential star power, it's hard to expect Blake Bortles -- who reportedly struggled mightily in training camp -- leaving Pittsburgh with a win. Jacksonville is stout defensively and will create at least one turnover, but it won't be enough. Record: 4-1

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Chiefs are still salty about Pittsburgh winning that playoff game in Arrowhead without scoring a touchdown. The Chiefs' red zone defense will remain stout, and Travis Kelce will prove too much for Pittsburgh's middle-of-field pass defense. Record: 4-2

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET
Not many teams play the Steelers tighter in Heinz Field than the Bengals because of their ability to disrupt Roethlisberger with Geno Atkins & Co. But the Steelers seemed to figure out a favorable matchup against this defense with tight ends and slot receivers up the middle. Hello, Eli Rogers, Jesse James and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Record: 5-2

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, at Detroit Lions, 8:30 p.m. ET
As good as Big Ben is on turf -- 61-of-79 (77 percent) in his past three dome games -- Detroit is still a playoff-caliber team with a top-10 quarterback playing at home against a team due for its occasional midseason low. Record: 5-3

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers will be fired up after the bye, and Big Ben is always fired up to play Indy. He has 13 touchdown passes in his past three games against the Colts. He just loves seeing their defensive backs. Record: 6-3

Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 16, vs. Tennessee Titans, 8:25 p.m. ET
The Titans are a rising team and will have a national, prime-time stage. But the Steelers have found ways to win November and December games at home lately. This is where they start to get hot. Until next week. Record: 7-3

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. ET
First one to 40 wins. These quarterbacks are too good not to score, with the Packers and Steelers combining for 198 points in three matchups since 2009. But Aaron Rodgers doesn't take sacks, buys time for seven seconds and lets a secondary bleed. That's not a good matchup for Pittsburgh. Record: 7-4

Week 13: Monday, Dec. 4, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Steelers have won six of their past seven against Cincinnati in December, and Paul Brown Stadium is practically a home game for Pittsburgh, which loves to win there. A.J. Green's 150-yard explosion won't be enough. Record: 8-4

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, Baltimore Ravens, 8:30 p.m. ET
Baltimore will forever play Pittsburgh tough and they are hungry to re-enter the playoff picture. But by this point, the injuries are mounting and the offensive firepower isn't enough to score 30 in Heinz. Record: 9-4

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET
In a much-needed breakthrough, the Steelers slay the Patriots problem (for a day, at least) as everything comes together. Tom Brady gets his numbers, but the secondary figures out a way to avoid too many big plays. A healthy Steelers offense recognizes the moment and wins a shootout. Record: 10-4

Week 16: Monday, Dec. 25, at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Steelers aren't immune to the occasional late-season lapse. Deshaun Watson punctuates his rookie of the year campaign by completing passes on the run against the Steelers' front. A grumpy Christmas flight home. Record: 10-5

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers lock up at least one home playoff game with a ritualistic Week 17 win over Cleveland. The Browns have improved to a five-or-six-win team, but again the quarterback picture is in flux, and Roethlisberger throws for three touchdowns at home. Record: 11-5

 

[5teamparlay]

5-2

By the end of New England's clinical 23-7 romp through the fog Sunday night, it was clear that the Patriots have straightened out what ailed them earlier this season.


those BRONCOS don't look so tough after the BYE.

 

[Willie99]

If their defense has jelled and continues to improve, they're going on a run

Thus far in 2017, they're better on the road. Maybe opposing fans give them that edge, or maybe it's just a series of coincidences, we'll know soon enough.

 

[PatPatriot]

Did you know?

The Pats and their "shitty" defense. Shut down the reigning MVP without a drafted cornerback.

 

[ML Dog]

Eric Rosenthal‏ @ericsports

“Can’t blow a lead if you never score” - Falcons