Steelers release 2014 NFL schedule
Team will play five nationally televised primetime games in 2014.
The Steelers will play five nationally televised primetime games, it was announced tonight when the NFL released its 2014 regular season schedule.
The Steelers will play AFC North Division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, in two primetime games, including the first-ever CBS Sports Thursday night game in Week 2 on Sept. 11 at M&T Bank Stadium at 8:25 p.m. Pittsburgh will host the Ravens in Week 9 at Heinz Field on Sunday Night Football (NBC) with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh’s three other nationally televised primetime games include a Week 7 (Oct. 20) matchup versus the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on Monday Night Football (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.). The Steelers play at the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 (Sept. 21) on Sunday Night Football (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) and also travel to Tennessee for a matchup against the Titans on Monday Night Football (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) in Week 11 (Nov. 17).
“Our 2014 schedule is highlighted by two national televised games against the Ravens as well as another nationally televised game at Heinz Field in Week 7 versus the Houston Texans,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said. “We are excited about playing five primetime games as it will give our fans around the world the opportunity to see us play. This season marks the 40th anniversary of our Super Bowl IX victory and we look forward to celebrating that milestone during our home schedule.”
The Steelers will be playing two Monday Night Football contests for the first time since 2008. For the second consecutive year, Pittsburgh will open its season at Heinz Field, this time with a 1 p.m. game against divisional rival, the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers’ bye week will be on Nov. 23 (Week 12).
For the first time, flexible scheduling may be applied in Weeks 5-10. During that period, flexible scheduling can be used in no more than two weeks by shifting a Sunday afternoon game into primetime and moving the Sunday night game to an afternoon start time. Also, for the first time, a select number of games are being “cross-flexed,” moving between CBS and FOX to bring potentially under-distributed games to wider audiences.
“Flexible scheduling” will be used in Weeks 11-17 as it has been in recent years. In Weeks 11-16, the schedule lists the games tentatively set for Sunday Night Football on NBC. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game would be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights.
A flexible scheduling move would be announced at least 12 days before the game. For Week 17, the Sunday night game will be announced no later than six days prior to December 28. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot. Flexible scheduling ensures quality matchups in all Sunday time slots in those weeks and gives “surprise” teams a chance to play their way into primetime.
Thursday Night Football games this upcoming season will air on CBS and the NFL Network. CBS will televise eight early season games that will also be simulcast on the NFL Network. The NFL Network will also televise eight late season contests as the postseason approaches. The 16-game slate will include 14 games on Thursday nights and two late-season games on Saturday. All broadcasts will feature CBS Sports announcers along with NFL Network hosts and analysts.
Fans can listen to every Steelers game throughout the preseason and the regular season on the Steelers Radio Network on WDVE-FM (102.5) and WBGG-AM (970).
STEELERS 2014 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time** (TV)
Sat., Aug. 9 at New York Giants 7:30 p.m. (KDKA-TV)
Sat., Aug. 16 BUFFALO BILLS 7:30 p.m. (KDKA-TV)
Thu., Aug. 21 at Philadelphia Eagles 7:30 p.m. (KDKA-TV)
Thu., Aug. 28 CAROLINA PANTHERS 7:30 p.m. (KDKA-TV)
STEELERS 2014 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time** (TV)
Sun., Sept. 7 CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Thu., Sept. 11 at Baltimore Ravens 8:25 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Sept. 21 at Carolina Panthers 8:30 p.m. (NBC/WPXI-TV)
Sun., Sept. 28 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 1:00 p.m. (FOX/WPGH-TV)
Sun. October 5 at Jacksonville Jaguars * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Oct. 12 at Cleveland Browns * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Mon., Oct. 20 HOUSTON TEXANS 8:30 p.m. (ESPN/WTAE-TV)
Sun., Oct. 26 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS * 4:25 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Nov. 2 BALTIMORE RAVENS * 8:30 p.m. (NBC/WPXI-TV)
Sun., Nov. 9 at New York Jets * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Mon., Nov. 17 at Tennessee Titans 8:30 p.m. (ESPN/WTAE-TV)
BYE — —
Sun., Nov. 30 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS * 1:00 p.m.(FOX/WPGH-TV)
Sun., Dec. 7 at Cincinnati Bengals * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Dec. 14 at Atlanta Falcons * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Dec. 21 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
Sun., Dec. 28 CINCINNATI BENGALS * 1:00 p.m. (CBS/KDKA-TV)
* Times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling
** All Times are Eastern
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
