There are two events that I look forward to in the NFL’s offseason. One is the draft, which will be held Thursday through Saturday. The other is the release of the regular season schedule, which was announced last week.

All of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ games have the potential to be memorable for one reason or another, but here are the ones that caught my eye.

Sept. 16, at Cincinnati — With the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens losing a bevy of talented players through free agency, many people see the Bengals as the favorite to win the AFC North title in 2013.

Cincinnati is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 1981-82. The Bengals recently signed former Pittsburgh star linebacker James Harrison and you can be sure he has this game against his former teammates circled on his calendar.

Sept. 29, vs. Minnesota in London — With so much of today’s NFL focused on the passing game, the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson remains a game-changer at running back. He rushed for nearly 2,100 yards last season, coming up just nine yards short of breaking the league’s single-season yardage record. The Vikings have not beaten the Steelers since 1995.

Nov. 3, at New England — This game comes a week after the Steelers make a cross-country trip to play in Oakland. Pittsburgh is 0-2 against Tom Brady-led Patriot teams in Foxborough, last losing 34-13 in 2007.

People keep waiting for the Patriots to fall from the AFC’s elite. Granted, they haven’t won a Super Bowl in eight seasons, but as long as Brady is calling the signals and Bill Belichick is patrolling the sidelines, this team remains a legitimate threat.

Nov. 28, at Baltimore — This will be the Steelers’ first Thanksgiving Day game since the infamous ‘Coin Flip’ debacle against the Lions in 1998.

I have never seen the Steelers win on Turkey Day, they are 0-3 in my lifetime. Hopefully, the Black and Gold will give some turkey a break and feast on a bird of a different feather.

Dec. 22, at Green Bay — Considering the venue and the time of year, this game could be played in a snowstorm.

When I saw this game on the schedule, my mind drifted back to Christmas Eve 1995. Kevin Greene hit Brett Favre so hard, the quarterback’s breakfast ended up on the frozen turf at Lambeau Field.

Facing Aaron Rodgers & Co. is a stiff test at any point in the season, but I’m betting on the Packers being in the mix for a playoff spot, possibly even a bye. If the Steelers need to win in Green Bay to stay in contention themselves, they better bring their ‘A’ game.

With all of the players the team lost this offseason, Pittsburgh could very well miss the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1999-2000. One thing that could save them is a draft class that makes an immediate impact.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.