[Lefty Noob]

It's probably a little early to be talking repeat, but if the Pittsburgh Steelers do hope to win a second straight Super Bowl and take home the Vince Lombardi trophy again next season, here's the team's they'll have to go through first.

2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Football Schedule

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Miami

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Oakland, San Diego, Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville

I know we've got a lot of Pittsburgh fans on the board - any of you feeling froggy enough to predict a win-loss record for the Steelers in 2006?

[Lefty Noob]

Here's the week by week breakdown of the Steeler schedule:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
-------------------

SEP. 7 MIAMI 8:30 (Thu.)
SEP. 18 at Jacksonville 8:30 (Mon.)
SEP. 24 CINCINNATI 1:00
OCT. 1 Bye
OCT. 8 at San Diego 8:15
OCT. 15 KANSAS CITY 4:15
OCT. 22 at Atlanta 1:00
OCT. 29 at Oakland 4:15
NOV. 5 DENVER 4:15
NOV. 12 NEW ORLEANS 1:00
NOV. 19 at Cleveland 1:00
NOV. 26 at Baltimore 1:00
DEC. 3 TAMPA BAY 1:00
DEC. 7 CLEVELAND 8:00 (Thu.)
DEC. 17 at Carolina 1:00
DEC. 24 BALTIMORE 1:00
DEC. 31 at Cincinnati 1:00

The immediate issue is that they open the NFL season this year against Miami, a team which is no slouch in their own right. So how will the defending Super Bowl champs fare this season against what looks to be some fairly stiff competition?

[wvuauthor]

Lefty,

I see a few problem games on the schedule, and agree that the first game against Miami is going to be a tough one!

Even though it is still early I am going to make a preliminary prediction (subject to change of course, haha)

10-6 is what I see in the future. It is a tough schedule, made even more difficult because they are the champs!

[Lefty Noob]

Which six will be the losses, do you suppose?

[wvuauthor]

Okay...let's take a look here...

Cincinnati
San Diego
Jacksonville
Denver
Carolina
Baltimore

What do you think? For some reason I think Baltimore will knock them off this year. Any thoughts on that?

[Lefty Noob]

Personally, I'd say Cleveland more than Baltimore, but I've been told I'm too high on the Browns. For the record, though, I'd also be shocked if the Chargers beat the Steelers too. Cincy twice, Denver, Carolina, maybe the Browns once and perhaps K.C. would be the games I'd think Pittsburgh is most likely to drop. But hey, go with what your gut tells ya, wvu!

[wvuauthor]

I know what you mean. It is a little early but what are your thoughts on a repeat title?

My gut is saying no...

[Lefty Noob]

No, I don't think so. No Bettis, no Randle El, and some defensive losses... I just don't see it.

[cjg11582]

As much as I like Randal El, they can replace him with a second round draft pick. Lendale White will be a necessary pick to replace Bettis at RB, and despite some recent highly publicized opinions, he will be drafted in the first round. Since I hate The Browns and as a direct result am a half-ass Steelers fan, I am hoping it happens.
As far as the defense is concerned, it will falter a little but I cannot remember the last time Cowher did not have a top ten defense in the league. So a Superbowl appearance? It always seems close to an impossibility, but they are as likely as anyone out of the AFC.

[Lefty Noob]

Pittsburgh has zero chance at White unless they trade up. If he makes it to the Colts at #30, they'll draft him. Besides, they're counting on Staley (at least for this year) to fill the Bettis role. I think its Bettis' locker-room presence and the holes on D that worry me most about this team, though.

[wvuauthor]

I agree; no chance at White. And I am not so sure he would be a good pick anyway. There has been a lot of negativity surrounding him...