Steelers 2013 schedule highlighted by Thanksgiving game in Baltimore on WPXI

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 regular season schedule was released Thursday night, and it is highlighted by a Thanksgiving night matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens on Channel 11.

The Steelers will play four nationally televised prime time games, including three here on WPXI-TV.

The Steelers’ Thanksgiving night game with their AFC North Division rival is set for 8:30 p.m. It will be the first Thanksgiving game for Pittsburgh since 1998 and the first one in team history in prime time.

Pittsburgh’s nationally televised prime time games at Heinz Field include one against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m. (Channel 11) and another on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 8:30 p.m., against the Cincinnati Bengals (Channel 11). Pittsburgh’s other national prime time game is a Week 2 Monday night matchup in Cincinnati on Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 8:40 p.m. on ESPN.

“We are excited about playing four primetime games as it gives our fans worldwide the chance to see us play,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said. “Our 2013 schedule is highlighted by two nationally televised games at Heinz Field as we host the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. This season also marks our first regular-season game in London when we play the Minnesota Vikings, and we are looking forward to a Thanksgiving night matchup at our AFC North Division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. These games, along with a challenging rest of our schedule, will make for an exciting year for our fans everywhere.”

The Steelers will travel to London for their first international regular-season game in team history to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 29, as part of the NFL’s International Series. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (6 p.m. London time).

For the first time since 2010, the Steelers will open their NFL season at Heinz Field when they host the Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers’ bye week will be on Oct. 6 (Week 5).

Pittsburgh will play three of its final four games at Heinz Field, starting on Dec. 8 when the Miami Dolphins and former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace visit. Pittsburgh ends the season at home on Dec. 29 against Cleveland.

The Steelers' complete schedule:

Sun., Sept 8 TENNESSEE 1 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 16 at Cincinnati 8:40 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 22 CHICAGO 8:30 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 29 at Minnesota (London) 1 p.m.

BYE

Sun., Oct. 13 at New York Jets 1 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 20 BALTIMORE 4:25 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 27 at Oakland 4:05 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 3 at New England 4:25 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 10 BUFFALO 1 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 17 DETROIT 1 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 24 at Cleveland 1 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 28 at Baltimore 8:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 8 MIAMI 1 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 15 CINCINNATI 8:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 22 at Green Bay 4:25 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 29 CLEVELAND 1 p.m.

WPXI