Steelers 2012 Schedule: Pittsburgh's Slate Will Provide Hidden Challenges

The Pittsburgh Steelers' schedule in 2012 may not seem overly imposing, but hidden challenges this season could see Ben Roethlisberger and Company slide.

The Steelers' strength of schedule, based on their opponents' winning percentage in 2011, ranks near the middle of the pack on the surface. However, several teams stand to rise this season, and that should worry a franchise that just lost Hines Ward and James Farrior (not to mention the prospect of losing Mike Wallace).

When examining the Steelers' 2012 schedule, you must first look at the obvious rising team: the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, with budding stars Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, as well as two first-round draft picks this year, have the potential to leapfrog the Steelers in the AFC North this season. They didn't fare well against the Steelers in 2011, but this is a new season, and the Bengals are in a good position to improve their 2011 record. Pittsburgh plays Cincinnati twice this season.

Of course, the Steelers also have to deal with the Baltimore Ravens (twice) and the defending champion New York Giants.

But it's what remains on the rest of the 2012 schedule that should give Steelers fans pause. There are several opponents this season that could rise, including the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. The Broncos just picked up one Peyton Manning to go with their improved defense, and the Redskins may draft Baylor's Robert Griffin III, who could have a similar impact as Cam Newton did with the Carolina Panthers last season.

The Eagles, well, that talent has a way of coming out of nowhere, as it did when they won their last four games in 2011.

You also have the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, who can be either really good or really bad. And the New York Jets are wild cards. 

The Steelers will once again challenge for the AFC North title, but it's not going to be as easy as last season, when they played one of the most forgiving schedules in the NFL.

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