The schedule
Preseason
Game 1: Eagles Aug. 8, 7:30 p.mBen Roethlisberger shouldn't play more than a series in Steelers' first exhibition game.
Game 2: at Bills Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.Don't forget your passport if you're going; the game will be played in Toronto.
Game 3: at Vikings Aug. 23, 8 p.m.Mike Tomlin returns to the city where he served as a defensive coordinator before the Steelers hired him.
Game 4: Panthers Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.A 60-minute closing argument for players battling to make the 53-man roster.
Regular season
Game 1: Texans Sept. 7, 1 p.m.Houston posted first non-losing season (8-8) in franchise history in 2007 and won three of its final four games.
Game 2: at Browns Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)Cleveland tries to snap a nine-game losing streak against the Steelers on national TV.
Game 3: at Eagles Sept. 21, 4:15 p.m.It doesn't look like veteran QB Donovan McNabb is going anywhere, which means the Steelers' defense should get tested in Philly.
Game 4: Ravens Sept. 29, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)Here is what Baltimore's game plan should be: block James Harrison, block James Harrison and block James Harrison.
Game 5: at Jaguars Oct. 5, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)Two heart-wrenching losses to Jacksonville last year should have the Steelers up big-time for this Sunday night game.
Bye: Oct. 12
Game 6: at Bengals Oct. 19, 1 p.m.Cincinnati is a mess, and given the difficulty of the Steelers' schedule a sweep of the Bengals is almost a must.
Game 7: Giants Oct. 26, 4:15 p.m.The last time the Giants visited Pittsburgh (1991), they also were reigning Super Bowl champions, and they beat the Steelers, 23-20.
Game 8: at Redskins Nov. 3, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)Washington made the playoffs last season, but it has to adjust to a new coach in Jim Zorn.
Game 9: Colts Nov. 9, 4:15 p.m.Tomlin matches wits against Tony Dungy, the man who gave him his NFL coaching break.
Game 10: Chargers Nov. 16, 4:15 p.mProtecting Roethlisberger against a fierce pass rush, led by the relentless Shawne Merriman, is a must for the Steelers.
Game 11: Bengals Nov. 20, 8:15 (NFL Network)What looks like a breather during a brutal stretch of the schedule could turn into a trap game if the Steelers aren't careful.
Game 12: at Patriots Nov. 30, 4:15 p.m.Anthony Smith won't be guaranteeing anything except perhaps that all of the Thanksgiving leftovers at Casey Hampton's house are gone.
Game 13: Cowboys Dec. 7, 4:15 p.m.Dallas is so loaded that coach Wade Phillips may have to take the Cowboys to the Super Bowl if he wants to keep his job.
Game 14: at Ravens Dec. 14, 1 p.m.The Steelers lost in Baltimore last season, but they rested a lot of key starters because they had clinched the AFC North title.
Game 15: at Titans Dec. 21, 1 p.m.Tennessee made the playoffs last season, but it needs marked improvement from QB Vince Young to become a serious contender in the AFC.
Game 16: Browns Dec. 28, 1 p.m.Imagine how loud Heinz Field will be if the AFC North title is on the line when these heated rivals meet.
