The quirkiest part of a tough Pittsburgh Steelers is undoubtedly how late their AFC North race starts. The Steelers won’t face a divisional foe until Week 11, a team record for how late their divisional games begin. But the NFL maintains that wasn’t there intent. It’s just how the schedule broke.
In a zoom call with media members including ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North compared it to a college basketball schedule.
NFL scheduling guru Mike North says they didn't set out to have the Steelers starting divisional play so late (Week 11)
Compared it to a CBB schedule where teams get their non-conference games out of the way first.