The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a 6-2 start, giving them the second-best record in the conference. The Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans share their record, while the Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated in seven games. However, the Steelers have currently had an easier schedule than most teams with the best records.

Of the nine teams with two or fewer losses, they have the fourth lowest winning percentage. They also have the third-lowest schedule strength within the same group. The Steelers have three wins against two-win teams, half of their wins against teams with no wins.

We know that the second half of the Steelers’ schedule is likely to be more difficult on paper, and it probably will be. Even though two of their three division rivals are currently losing teams, they will pose a significant challenge. But Alex Highsmith and the rest of the team are ready to begin AFC North football.

“It’s definitely the first time since I’ve been here that we haven’t played a division team in the first eight games of the season,” Highsmith said of the Steelers’ strange loss after a 26-18 win over the New York Giants Schedule via the team’s website. “We definitely can’t wait for them to come to the backend. We know we have a lot of them. It’s the AFC North and we know that every game from here on out is going to be a tough game. It starts in Washington in a few weeks. But we’re definitely ready for the AFC North ball.”

However, the Steelers still have to wait for the AC North ball. Next they have their bye week and then they play the Washington Commanders. They won’t face their first AFC North team, the Baltimore Ravens, until November 17th. But then they play against their division opponents six times within eight weeks.

And on top of that, their only “breathing breaks” along the way are the 5-2 Eagles and the 7-0 Chiefs. Of the Steelers’ last nine games, five have come against winning teams. And by the time they play Cincinnati on Dec. 1, the Bengals could be at least .500.

Division games are always fun, even in the AFC North. The Steelers have certainly lost to some bad Browns teams. But they also beat better Bengals and Ravens teams than the Steelers did back then. And this Browns team only has two wins, but a new dynamic with Jameis Winston at quarterback.

The Steelers have the luxury of holding a one-game division lead over the 5-3 Ravens in their bye. They hold a three-game lead over the 3-5 Bengals and four games over the 2-6 Browns. They are the only team in the division participating in their bye this week.

Last year the Steelers went 5-1 in division play. The year before, all AFC North teams split with each other, all finishing 3-3. It’s hard to predict how division play will go this year. But if the Steelers want to gain a foothold in the playoffs, they better plan to dominate.