Now that the New England Patriots have been crowned champions of the NFL, they’ll more than likely play in the Thursday night game that kicks off the 2015 season in September. When you look at the eight teams they’re scheduled to host in 2015, don’t be surprised if the Pittsburgh Steelers are chosen to be their opponent in that game.
The Patriots are scheduled to play the Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. during the 2015 season and of those eight teams, Pittsburgh is the only one that made the playoffs this past season.
The Steelers have a tough 2015 schedule and not only does it include seven teams that made the playoffs in 2014, it also includes the two teams that played in Super Bowl XLIX as the Seattle Seahawks are also on their road schedule.
The Steelers might be without the services of running back Le’Veon Bell for the first game or two of the 2015 season as he could be suspended multiple games by league after being charged with a DUI and possession of marijuana last August.
Bell could have possession and driving under the influence of marijuana charges dismissed and expunged from his record altogether. The running back has a Feb. 6 hearing scheduled before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge who is expected to formalize his admittance into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for first-time offenders of nonviolent crimes.
The league usually formalizes and releases the schedule in late April.
