Predicting Each Pittsburgh Steelers Loss in 2011

Most teams that make a Super Bowl disappoint the following year. This year, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unfamiliar position—losers of the Super Bowl.

How will they bounce back in 2011?

Their schedule has a tough start with road games at Baltimore, Indianapolis and Houston within the first four weeks.

My prediction for the Steelers in 2011 is 11-5. Here are the five losses I believe they will receive.

Week 1 at Baltimore Ravens

When Pittsburgh and Baltimore match up it is a battle of the titans. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in all of football.

When Cleveland left for Baltimore, the rivalry between Cleveland and Pittsburgh shifted to Baltimore as well.

The past two seasons have seen the teams split their games, whether on the road or at home.

Joe Flacco comes up big against the Steelers at home in a 20-14 victory.

Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh is known for getting mauled against top-notch quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Brady has given the Steelers more trouble than Manning, but both can do major damage to the Steelers' secondary.

This will all depend on whether Manning has protection. If he does, the Steelers could drop to 0-2 on the road to start the season.

Manning has a great day throwing for three scores and no interceptions in a 28-21 victory over the Steelers.

Week 4 at Houston Texans

The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a rough start to the 2011 season.

Houston is a team that has been on the rise for the past few seasons, but they haven't been able to get over the hump. This could be the year the Texans finally make the postseason.

If they plan on making the postseason, they must be able to take care of home field. Last year they were 4-4 at home.

Similar to Indianapolis, the Texans have a great chance of throwing all over the Steelers' secondary.

Troy Polamalu is the biggest key to the Steelers defense, and when he is healthy, they are head and shoulders a better defensive football team.

We don't know how he will be in 2011, especially in Week 4.

Matt Schaub is a proven quarterback in this league. He threw for 4,370 yards and 24 TDs in 2010. He is also from Pittsburgh, therefore he would love to be able to beat his hometown team.

Houston pushes Pittsburgh to 1-3 on the season with a 24-17 victory.

Week 8 vs. New England Patriots

Tom Brady and New England have been the biggest nemesis to the Pittsburgh Steelers since the turn of the century.

Brady went 30-43 with 350 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers in a 39-26 victory at Heinz Field in 2010.

If the Steelers were forced to play the Patriots in the playoffs in either of their Super Bowl years, I'm not sure they wouldn't have lost.

Brady destroys the Steelers' secondary and it seems probable that he would do it again.

New England defeats Pittsburgh 31-20.

Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh may not have an unbelievable season in his first year with the San Francisco 49ers, but it may be good enough to win the porous NFC West.

If so, the 49ers would be hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football with their division hopes on the line.

Pittsburgh will be a hot team coming into Week 15 after winning five straight games, but the team that needs this game the most will be San Francisco and that is why they will pull it out.

Both Jim and John Harbaugh will record victories against the Steelers this season.

Pittsburgh rarely loses on Monday Night Football, but this could be the year. San Francisco wins 17-14.