Seahawks schedule breakdown: Early preview versus Steelers week 6

The Seahawks play their fourth road game out of the first six games when they play the Steelers in week 6 on Sunday Night Football in Pittsburgh. Away games are never easy in the NFL (heck, neither are home games) but traveling so much in the first part of the season could make for a tired Seattle team.

The Steelers, however, aren’t quite as good on paper as they have been in recent seasons. Like recent Seattle teams, the Steelers are never bad but also never quite good enough to make a Super Bowl run. In 2021, that is even less likely for Pittsburgh.

Basically by week 6, these two teams will have a good idea of where the rest of their seasons will be heading. Either could be first in the conference. But also, either could be outof the playoffs.

What to look for when the Seahawks play the Steelers in week 6

Steelers key additions: New offensive coordinator Matt Canada, center BJ Finney, offensive tackle Joe Haeg

Canada is interesting in much the same way the Seahawks new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is interesting. He is an innovative play-caller and should be at his best by week 6 when Seattle comes to town.

Steelers key losses: Edge rusher Bud Dupree, center Maurkice Pouncey (retired), running back James Connor, OT Alejandro Villanueva

Pittsburgh lost a ton of talent both in free agency and via retirement this offseason. Are they still a well-coached team with talent? Yes. But Pittsburgh should not be expected to be as good as they were last year. Their offensive line will be worse and their pass rush will be worse.

Seahawks advantages: Pass rush and wide receiver

As I said above, the Steelers offensive line should be worse and lost a lot of starts between losing Pouncey and Villanueva and both those guys were good. Seattle needs to bring the heat in this game and should get home quite a bit, especially if Ben Roethlisberger is still standing by week 6.

Pittsburgh will also have a few changes at cornerback and D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are better than the Pittsburgh secondary and should pick up chunk yards on throws from Russell Wilson.

Seahawks disadvantages: Style of play and blitzes

The success of the Steelers defense over the last decade, it seems, comes from its extremely creative blitz packages. A team knows its going to happen but doesn’t know where its coming from. Russell Wilson will get hit in this game but hopefully stay up-right and score points.

Pittsburgh also plays a very Seattle-y way. The games are close and sometimes its hard to tell how they won, but just like the Seahawks, Pittsburgh usually wins. Hopefully they do not in week 6 of 2021, however.