A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were handed the toughest schedule in the league and proceeded to blow through it, finishing with a 12-4 record and, eventually, another Lombardi trophy.

This season Pittsburgh has the fifth-easiest schedule in the NFL.  But if you adjust for the four guaranteed victories against Cincinnati and Cleveland, the strength of schedule is right in the middle of the pack. 

Still, nothing less than a 14-2 season and a No. 1 seed in the AFC should suffice for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers.  Most fans would be happy with just another division title.  With this schedule, it could be wrapped up by Thanksgiving.  But you never know.

Here’s an early breakdown of the Steelers '09 schedule through the first eight games.  Check back tomorrow or Thursday for the second half.

Thursday, Sept. 10th:  Steelers vs. Titans, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)

Much like they did in 2006, the Steelers open their Super Bowl defense with a puzzling Thursday night matchup that doubles as the opening game of the 2009 NFL season.  This year’s victim: the Tennessee Titans, the same team who dishonored the Terrible Towel after throttling the Steelers in Nashville last December.  Maybe the Titans will listen to Randy Baumann this time around.

Fun Fact:  Jeff Fisher is about to begin his 15th season as coach of the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans.  He currently has the longest-tenured moustache in the NFL.

Sunday, Sept. 20th:  Steelers at Bears, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)

These teams haven’t met since December 2005, which was the beginning of an eight-game Steelers winning streak that ended with a victory in Super Bowl XL.   

I attended that freezing-cold game, and witnessed one of the best throws I’ve ever seen.  As we walked in the stadium two Bears fans were walking on the opposite sidewalk of a large throng of Steelers fans.  One of the Chicago fans began to yell something about the Bears.  Between five and seven seconds later, he was drilled between the eyes with a perfectly-placed snowball that Satchel Paige would have appreciated.  Philly isn’t the only place where they know how to throw snowballs.

Fun Fact:  In that game, Jerome Bettis had a vintage performance, rushing for 101 yards and 2 TDs.  It was the last time in his career he rushed for 100+ yards in a game.

Sunday, Sept. 27th:  Steelers at Bengals, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)

Here’s the early favorite for the quote of the decade, and maybe one of the best quotes in professional sports history:

"It used to be Pittsburgh's time, now it's Cincinnati's time, and it'll probably be that way for a while. They're like black and white TV, we're like color TV."

                                                                             -Chad Johnson, December 4, 2005

Fun Fact:  I know it’s almost common knowledge at this point, but Ben Roethlisberger has never lost an NFL game as a starting QB in the state of Ohio.  In fact, his last loss in the state of Ohio was November 23, 2002, when the Miami (OH) RedHawks lost at home, 41-38, to the University of Central Florida.

Sunday, Oct. 4th:  Steelers vs. Chargers, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

This is the 5th meeting between these teams since 2005.  Over that time span, the Chargers have evolved into a fun team to beat.  They're like the new Broncos. 

Last year, Pittsburgh and San Diego battled in the only 11-10 game in NFL history (and the shadiest ending in recent gambling history).  They also collided in the playoffs as the Steelers slugged San Diego into golf season with a 35-24 win.

Fun Fact:  At 5’6”, Chargers RB Darren Sproles is the NFL’s shortest player.  The shortest player of all-time—as well as the lightest player of all-time—was Jack “Soapy” Shapiro, who was 5’2”, 126 lbs., and played one game for the Staten Island Stapletons in 1929.

Just goes to show, you can find anything on the Internet.

Sunday, Oct. 11th:  Steelers at Lions, 1 p.m. (CBS)

The Steelers get a bye week only one month into the season.  This will be a great opportunity for the guys to get healthy, get some rest and relaxation, or play some golf.

Fun Fact:  Only the Lions and Bills have failed to make the playoffs in the 21st Century.  The only other professional sports teams to accomplish this feat are the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Montreal/Washington Expos/Nationals, and, of course, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sunday, Oct. 18th:  Steelers vs. Browns, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Pittsburgh has won their last eleven games against Cleveland, dating all the way back to 2003 and the days of Tim Couch, William Green, and Butch Davis.

The Steelers are 24-3 in their last 27 games against the Browns, including a 43-0 pounding in 1999 to welcome them back into the league. 

Cleveland hasn’t swept the season series since 1988.

In their only playoff meeting, the Browns blew a 13-point fourth quarter lead to Tommy Maddox, of all people.

(I better stop here or I’ll never get this thing done.)

Fun Fact:  Pittsburgh is currently ahead in nearly every category of the rivalry, except one:  Cleveland has the most lopsided win.  The Browns beat the Steelers 51-0 on September 10, 1989, at Three Rivers Stadium.  “But they’re still the Cleve Brownies,” Myron Cope said.

Sunday, Oct. 25th:  Steelers vs. Vikings, 1 p.m. (Fox)

This should be a great game.  Super Bowl favorites against the defending Super Bowl champs.  Mike Tomlin against his old employer.  The Steelers formidable defense against the high-powered Minnesota offense, led by Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre.

Wait…what?   Retired?  I’ve hardly heard his name mentioned all summer!  Well, never mind to all that.  Enjoy Tarvaris Jackson, who may or may not be Joe Jackson’s youngest son.

Fun Fact:  Although I did waaaaay too much research for this, I believe that the Steelers have not played a Sunday 1 p.m. game on Fox since December 17, 2006, when they beat the Carolina Panthers 37-3.  If anyone can prove me wrong on that one, please do.

Monday, Nov. 9th:  Steelers at Broncos, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

This is the only Monday night game on the schedule for Pittsburgh.  I don’t know why, but I have a feeling Denver will be a formidable team this season and probably win the AFC West if they can stay healthy.  Steelers-Broncos games are almost always good, and this one could possibly have playoff implications.

Fun Fact:  The Broncos were once famous for churning out 1000-yd rushers like Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, and Clinton Portis.  But they haven’t had a running back reach that milestone since Tatum Bell in 2006. 

Last year, rookie fullback Peyton Hills, who barely played until Week 6 and missed the last five games with an injury, was the Broncos leading rusher with 343 yards.  If they’re going to win the AFC West like I recently predicted, they need a big year from either Correll Buckhalter or Lamont Jordan.

Check back soon for Part 2.