As the players and owners get richer, they're obviously becoming addicted to it and want even more. So, we fans have to pay the freight.
As in more TV, more global trips, more zaniness piled on to all of us. The Steelers this season will not only be traveling to Paris, France, for a game, they'll be playing games on a Thursday, Friday, and Monday (and a couple yet to be determined - Tuesdays on True TV anyone?). That they'll be available to us on costly cable and non-cable platforms such as Amazon, NFL Network, and ESPN makes my newly acquired and affordable bunny ears difficult to pick up.
As for wins and losses, they say one can't righteously predict a season in May, but we always come close by playing the hand blindly. Last year this column predicted 11-6 for the 10-7 Steelers. But it's easy when you analyze one team with four days rest playing another off a bye. And so on. So, let's break it down again.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 - Atlanta Falcons
A small blessing to open at home for a new staff that might need a week, or a month, to find its footing. It will help if the Steelers have their coach on the field, Aaron Rodgers, at the helm. The Falcons are led by third-year QB Michael Penix, the first-round lefty who, at 4-8 as a starter, could blossom at any time. Let's say not yet. Win.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 20 - at New England Patriots
Remember when the Steelers needed a +4 turnover margin to beat this team 21-14 at New England last year? And everyone screamed about the Steelers needing so many forced fumbles against such a bad team? The Patriots, of course, went to the Super Bowl. But, their coach is in the stew. Talk about time to gain footing! But I expect the Pats and Mike Vrabel to be embarrassed in their Wednesday opener, and with an extra four days to recover will bounce back for revenge in this one. Loss.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 27 - Cincinnati Bengals
The Steelers return home from a spanking to the right tonic -- at least defensively. Bengals sub out stud pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson for stud DT Dexter Lawrence, so they should still should be porous. If the Steelers can contain Joe Burrow and his receivers, they can squeak out another. Win.
* 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. - at Cleveland Browns (Amazon Prime Video)
The more things change, the more they stay the same. In the last 15 years, the Steelers are 0-4 in Cleveland on Thursday nights. Make it 0-5. Loss.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 - Indianapolis Colts
With extra rest, the Steelers have a chance to remain undefeated at home on the season against QB Daniel Jones, who'll miss Michael Pittman Jr., the receiver the Steelers needed so badly. Here they thank the Colts. Win.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Probably be hot and nasty in Floriday even in mid-October. The Bucs are coming off an 8-9 season, but more importantly, and presently, they're coming into this game off a Thursday night road game. So, they'll be hurting off a loss, but rested. Not a good combination for the visitors. Loss.
* 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 - vs New Orleans Saints at Paris (NFL Network)
This will be a good gauge of Rodgers' leadership ability. I expect he'll reprise the success of last year's trip to Ireland in this silly trip to Paris against a New Orleans team with my favorite QB prospect from the 2025 draft, Tyler Shough. Win.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 - Cleveland Browns
Tough call. Last year the Steelers had a bye after their overseas trip. No such luck this year; however, they'll use revenge and avenge the Thursday night debacle. Barely. Win.
BYE
* 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Wow, I hate to call for a sweep against Burrow and that offense, but the schedule favors the Steelers, who are off a bye while the Bengals are coming off a silly trip to Spain. Steelers' refurbished secondary rises up again. Win.
* 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 - at Philadelphia Eagles
Talk about reading a hand blind. Considering the Steelers' past in Philly, we don't even have to look up the Eagles' schedule to know this will be a ... Loss.
* 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 - Denver Bronco (Amazon Prime Video)
Black Friday. At least I'll have an excuse when I show up Christmas Day without any gifts. Broncos coming off a divisional home game against the Raiders, so I'll slide every-so-slightly to the Steelers. Win.
* 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 - Houston Texans
An extra two days of rest for the Steelers, who will be in their comfortable role of playing at home a second consecutive week. Let's double the pleasure by figuring the Texans to be coming off a win over the Ravens in their previous game. Playoff debacle revenge. Win.
* 8:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (ESPN)
Nope. The emotional win over the Texans will be followed by a Jaguars' divisional crowning at home on a Monday night. (It's only serendipitous after the Texans beat the Steelers' divisional rival a week before losing to the Steelers.) Loss.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 - Baltimore Ravens
Doesn't it feel good to help the NFL make more money by playing the Ravens twice in the final quarter of the season? It really does. But it doesn't feel good that the Ravens had a Week 13 bye, which will no doubt help them here in Week 15. Loss.
* TBD - Carolina Panthers
Hey, we can expect any kind of mid-week zaniness from the NFL here. But it is the second of back-to-back home games, and probably coming off a loss. So the Steelers have the scheduling edge here. Although only slightly, since the Panthers will be coming off two home games played at 1 p.m. on Sundays. PS: Kenny Pickett's the backup to QB Bryce Young. Could be interesting. Even if played Tuesday afternoon. Win.
* 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3 - at Tennessee Titans
The Titans added the best WR out of the draft in Carnell Tate. Can QB Cam Ward make it pay off? If not, the second-year QB is backed up by Mitch Trubisky. One of these former Steelers backups will be playing by then -- and maybe so too will Mason Rudolph. Loss.
* TBD - at Baltimore Ravens
Just for the sake of dramatics and another series split. Win.
Perfect home record for the Steelers this year? (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)