2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule

The NFL released its 2009 schedule Tuesday evening (was it really necessary to have a television special for this?), one of my favorite days of the year. I always study the schedules, not only for football but for other sports, and try to make plans accordingly. Last year, I called the Jacksonville Jaguars and friends and family immediately after the schedule was released in order to make arrangements to see the Steelers in north Florida. Anyway, enough about me and my travel plans.

Here is the schedule for your 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers:

Thursday, Sept. 10 – vs. Tennessee, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, Sept. 20 - at Chicago, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Sept. 27 - at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Oct. 4 – vs. San Diego, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, Oct. 11 - at Detroit, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 18 – vs. Cleveland, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 25 – vs. Minnesota, 4:15 p.m. (FOX)

Nov. 1 - Bye
Monday, Nov. 9 - at Denver, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, Nov. 15 – vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Nov. 22 - at Kansas City, 1 p.m. (CBS)*
Sunday, Nov. 29 - at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)*

Sunday, Dec. 6 – vs. Oakland, 1 p.m. (CBS)*
Thursday, Dec. 10 - at Cleveland, 8:20 p.m. (NFL Network)
Sunday, Dec. 20 – vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m. (FOX)*
Sunday, Dec. 27 – vs. Baltimore, 1 p.m. (CBS)*
Sunday, Jan. 3 - at Miami, 1 p.m. (CBS)*

* Times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling.

A few thoughts:

- The Steelers will play the maximum of five nationally televised primetime games. Woo hoo!

- However, I still hate the NFL Network. Stupid Thursday night games where I can’t watch the Steelers from my home.

- Unlike last year where it seemed like the Steelers never played a 1:00 game (seriously, look at last year’s schedule), it’s nice to see some early afternoon games.

- Are you excited to see Jay Cutler’s home debut in Chicago? Yeah, me neither.

- Possible travel plans: Miami for New Year’s (although that could be an expensive flight during the holidays); Cincinnati (I used to make this trip every year until the Bengals forced you to buy tickets for the Steelers games plus 2-3 other games. Since the team was terrible again last season, I’m sure the policy hasn’t changed.); and a very small possibility of Detroit.

- Yes, the game in Detroit will be the Steelers first trip to Detroit since Super Bowl 40. Jerome Bettis is also from Detroit.


More on the schedule is available on the Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Steelers website.