Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 opponents

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington and the New York Jets.

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Oakland, Dallas, the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.

Bengals: What are the Chances...?

The Bengals have experienced a certain amount of success at Heinz Field over the years (at least as compared to the games played in Cincinnati). But I like Pittsburgh’s chances today, though I don’t necessarily believe the Steelers will cover the 6.5 point spread. Bengals fans have good reason to be optimistic about their club’s future, as rookie QB Andy Dalton and rookie WR A.J. Green have the potential to be stars for years to come. But I’m not sure that Dalton has what it takes to defeat Ben Roethlisberger and Co. at Heinz Field, where the Steelers’ defense has been very, very good for most of the season. I’m giving the Steelers a 60 percent chance of victory.

Prediction-wise, 6-2 thus far in 2011; 65-28 all-time.

Chiefs: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers are a ten-point favorite at Kansas City tonight—and deservedly so. Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest venues for a visiting team, but with Tyler Palko at QB and numerous key players lost for the season due to injury, it’s difficult to imagine the 4-6 Chiefs coming away with a win against Pittsburgh. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Kyle Orton makes an appearance in relief for Kansas City if Palko struggles, as can be expected. I’m not confident the Steelers will cover the spread, but I’m assigning Pitt a 75 percent chance of victory.

Prediction success rate in 2011? 5-2 thus far (missed a couple games); 64-28 all-time.

Bengals: What are the Chances...?

Pittsburgh has won nine of its last ten games at Cincinnati, and are favored by three points today. The key to the game might be whether the Steelers can force rookie QB Andy Dalton into making mistakes, if not game-changing turnovers. Being that it’s very, very windy today in Cincinnati, that could allow the Steelers defense to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which ought to play into Pittsburgh’s hands against the Bengals’ mostly conservative offense. Most likely, Pittsburgh will need to hold Cincinnati’s offense under 21 points or so, because the Steelers’ inconsistent O isn’t likely to score many more than that against Cincy’s stout defense. Historically, the Bengals have had difficulty handling success — and though maybe they aren’t far enough along to be considered successful — I still believe the Steelers will find a way to win today.

Cardinals: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers’ performances on the road thus far in 2011 have ranged from downright awful to barely adequate. So it’s something of a surprise that the Steelers are a four-point favorite at Arizona -- against a Cardinals team that has been competitive in all its games but one (a blowout loss two weeks ago at Minnesota). Of course, Arizona has the home-field advantage, and has also had two weeks to prepare, as the Cards are coming off a bye. So it would not surprise me if Arizona pulled off an upset, especially when one considers that Pittsburgh has shown a propensity for turning the ball over when away from home. It probably doesn’t help that the Cardinals’ coaches are intimately familiar with the Steelers’ schemes and much of their personnel. Yet the Steelers have been trending positive, while the Cards have been moving in the wrong direction. So the pick is the Steelers.

What are the Chances…? is 4-2 in 2011 and 63-28 all-time.

Jaguars: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers are a 12-point favorite against the struggling 1-4 Jaguars. Colt McCoy's first game against the Steelers aside, Pittsburgh usually makes life difficult for rookie QB's - and Blaine Gabbert's experience should be no different. Though Gabbert has tremendous upside, I doubt we'll see a strong performance from him today. The pick is Pittsburgh, though I don't necessarily believe the Steelers will cover the spread.

What are the Chances is 3-2 thus far in 2011 and 62-28 all-time.

Titans: What are the Chances...?

The Steelers are a three-point favorite against the Titans — surprising, considering how well Tennessee has fared this season and how shaky the Steelers have been. Pittsburgh’s problems are now compounded by the rash of injuries that have hit the team. Of course, Ben Roethlisberger’s foot is the most significant. Even if Big Ben plays on Sunday, one wonders how effective he will be while hobbling around behind his makeshift, banged up offensive line. And with James Harrison out of the lineup the Steelers will be without one their two big playmakers on defense. Perhaps Pittsburgh will be reinvigorated by its home crowd, but I wouldn’t count on it.

I do like the fact that the Steelers have brought back Big Max (Max Starks) to protect Big Ben’s blind side, though it seems like a daunting challenge for him to go from being unemployed on Monday to starting left tackle on Sunday. But Starks has come back from being out of favor before. Let’s hope he can do it this season, too.

At any rate, I’m picking the Titans to win. What are the Chances is 3-1 thus far in 2011 and 62-27 all-time.