In addition, the Steelers get the Patriots at home in a rematch of last year’s controversial finish at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh also faces the AFC West and NFC South. Le’veon Bell’s contract status might become a more urgent talking point once the dates on the Steelers’ tough schedule draw closer.

Below is a breakdown of the Steelers’ schedule in 2018.

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Steelers schedule 2018

Steelers regular-season schedule

Steelers preseason schedule

MORE NFL SCHEDULES:5 preseason games worth watching

Toughest tests: You know the drill by now. There will be a lot on the line in the Steelers’ home game against the Patriots, and Pittsburgh has lost the last five meetings to New England since 2013. Last year’s controversial finish aside, this has been the toughest test for most of the decade. A trip to New Orleans will be a battle of Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees, and a trip to the Black Hole to face Jon Gruden and the Raiders could rekindle that classic rivalry.

Biggest breaks: The Chargers have to make a cross-country trip to play the Steelers. As for the Chiefs, they haven’t beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh since Dec. 21, 1986.

Bottom line: The road game against Jacksonville should be interesting. That’s the team that beat the Steelers twice last year and upset the pecking order in the AFC. Something else to watch: Pittsburgh has lost just three AFC North games in the last three seasons It shouldn’t see much of a slide in 2018. Record prediction: 12-4