Steelers Release 2007 Regular Season Schedule

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will play five nationally televised primetime games, and will open the season against the division rival Cleveland Browns, it was announced today when the National Football League released its 2007 regular season schedule.

The Steelers will host three nationally televised primetime games including two Monday Night games against the division rival Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 5) and the Miami Dolphins (Nov. 26). Both games will kick off at 8:30 p.m. Pittsburgh's final home primetime game will take place Sunday, Dec. 2, against the Cincinnati Bengals (8:15 p.m. kickoff). The Steelers' two primetime road games will be on Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Denver Broncos (8:15 p.m.) and a Thursday Night game on Dec. 20 at the St. Louis Rams. It will be the first time the Steelers have visited St. Louis since 1993.

"We're excited to have five nationally televised primetime games this season," said Steelers president Art Rooney. "This year marks our 75^th Anniversary and Mike Tomlin's first season as our head coach. The three primetime home games provide us with several opportunities to celebrate this special season in front of a national audience."

The Steelers open their home schedule on Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. against the Buffalo Bills. On Sunday, Sept. 23, the San Francisco 49ers visit Pittsburgh for the first time since 1996. The Seattle Seahawks will visit the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 7 (Week 5), in a rematch of Super Bowl XL. It will be the first time Seattle has visited Pittsburgh since 1999. The Seattle game will be followed by a bye week (Week 6) on Oct. 14. The Steelers' remaining home games include a Nov. 11 game against Cleveland and a 1 p.m. game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 16. 

The Steelers' remaining road schedule includes trips to play the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 30 (4:15 p.m. kickoff), and the Bengals on Oct. 28. The Steelers will also visit the New York Jets (Nov. 18) and the New England Patriots (Dec. 9) before concluding the regular season Dec. 30 at Baltimore.

All Sunday afternoon games beginning in Week 11 are subject to flexible scheduling and could be moved into the Sunday night time slot (8:15 p.m.). The NFL will provide at least 12 days notice of time changes due to the "flex" scheduling. Week 17 start time changes could be decided on six days notice to ensure a game with playoff implications. Flexible scheduling will not impact Thursday, Saturday or Monday night games.

The Steelers' five-game preseason schedule will include two nationally televised games, including the annual AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game, Sunday, Aug. 5, at 8 p.m. vs. New Orleans in Canton, Ohio (NFL Network), and Sunday Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh's other home preseason game will be Saturday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m. against the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers' two road preseason games will take place Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Washington Redskins (8 p.m.) and Thursday, Aug. 30 (8 p.m.) at the Carolina Panthers.