Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The days of the traditional 1 p.m. Sunday kickoff will be rare for the Steelers in 2008.
Not only do they have the toughest schedule in the league, but the NFL also issued them one in which they won't have the chance to feel comfortable with any one kickoff time, particularly the 1 p.m. start at home. The Steelers play at night in three of their first five games, have only two 1 p.m. kickoffs in their first 13 games in 2008 and just two overall at home all season. Four of their first six games are away.
Their schedule, released by the NFL yesterday, contains the maximum of five initially scheduled night games -- two on Sunday, two on Monday and one Thursday. And there could be more.
All five of their final Sunday afternoon games are subject to the league's flexible scheduling. They could be moved to later Sunday afternoon or Sunday night. The NFL provides at least 12 days' notice of time changes, except for the last game of the season, in which only six days' notice is required.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said that "it certainly looks to be one of the more exciting and challenging schedules that we have ever had. Certainly the number of premier teams that are visiting Heinz Field this year will make it an interesting year for our fans, and we are looking forward to the challenge."
The Steelers open Sept. 7 at Heinz Field against the Houston Texans and then go right into the teeth of their AFC North Division competition Sept. 14 at Cleveland, an 8:15 p.m. start. The Browns and Steelers are virtual co-favorites in the AFC North, according to early odds, and it appears the NFL schedule makers see it that way as well. Besides the meeting in prime time in the second game, the teams close out the regular season at Heinz Field.
The Browns and Steelers tied atop the division at 10-6 last season, but the Steelers earned the title based on their two wins against the Browns, who did not make the playoffs.
The Steelers' off weekend comes Oct. 12, after they play five games.
On Oct. 26, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants will make their first visit to Heinz Field. The Giants last played a regular-season game in Pittsburgh in 1991, Chuck Noll's last season as head coach.
No team has a higher combined opponents' winning percentage from last season than the .598 of Steelers' foes. All four teams in the AFC North are in the top nine for their strength of schedules next season. Each plays a similar schedule except for two games: As division champions, the Steelers, for example, play the champions from the AFC East, New England, and champions of the AFC West, San Diego. Cleveland plays the second-place teams from those two divisions, Cincinnati the third-place teams and Baltimore the teams in last place from those divisions.
"I really have to say that it is a group of teams that are formidable teams; it will be a true test,'' Rooney said at Steelers headquarters. "I think that the message for everybody in this building is they better be working very hard to get ready for this season."
2008 STEELERS SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 Houston 1 p.m. KDKA
Sept. 14 at Cleveland 8:15 p.m. WPXI
Sept. 21 at Philadelphia 4:15 p.m. KDKA
Sept. 29 Baltimore 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Oct. 5 at Jacksonville 8:15 p.m. WPXI
Oct. 12 Bye
Oct. 19 at Cincinnati 1 p.m. KDKA
Oct. 26 New York Giants 4:15 p.m. WPGH
Nov. 3 at Washington 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Nov. 9 Indianapolis 4:15 p.m. KDKA
Nov. 16 San Diego 4:15 p.m. KDKA
Nov. 20* Cincinnati 8:15 p.m. NFL
Nov. 30* at New England 4:15 p.m. KDKA
Dec. 7* Dallas 4:15 p.m. WPGH
Dec. 14* at Baltimore 1 p.m. KDKA
Dec. 21* at Tennessee 1 p.m. KDKA
Dec. 28* Cleveland 1 p.m. KDKA
*-subject to NFL flex scheduling and could change
NOTES -- Former Penn State tight end Kyle Brady, an unrestricted free agent, visited the Steelers yesterday. Brady, 36, has played for the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, who released him Feb. 29. He was the ninth overall pick in the 1995 draft by the Jets. ... The Steelers will honor the memory of Myron Cope, who died Feb. 27, before the home opener Sept. 7. ... The date for the Steelers' preseason opener at home against Philadelphia, previously undetermined, has been set for Aug. 8.
Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.
First published on April 16, 2008 at 12:00 am
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