If you’re a fan of the Black and Gold, you already know the drill. Every year, we look at the list of opponents and try to guess if Mike Tomlin can keep that "no losing seasons" streak alive. But looking at the NFL Steelers schedule 2025, things feel a bit different this time around. It's not just the standard AFC North grind. We're talking about a plane ride to Ireland, a late-season gauntlet, and some serious travel miles that could test the depth of this roster.
Honestly, the league didn't do Pittsburgh many favors with the timing of these games.
The International Flight to Dublin
One of the biggest talking points for the NFL Steelers schedule 2025 is the Week 4 trip to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The Steelers are technically the "home" team for this one against the Minnesota Vikings on September 28. It’s a 9:30 AM ET kickoff, so get your coffee ready.
Playing in Ireland is a huge deal for the Rooney family given their heritage, but for the players, it's a massive logistical hurdle. Most teams struggle the week after an international flight, which is probably why the Steelers have their Bye Week immediately following in Week 5. They’ll need it. Coming back from Dublin to jump straight into divisional play would have been a nightmare.
Breaking Down the Home and Away Grids
Pittsburgh gets nine home games this year (if you count the Dublin game as one) and eight true road games. The variety of opponents is actually pretty wild. You've got the high-flying AFC East and the physical NFC North on the docket.
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Home Games at Acrisure Stadium:
- Baltimore Ravens (The usual bloodbath)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Expect plenty of trash talk)
- Cleveland Browns (The battle for the Ohio River)
- Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen in the Pittsburgh cold is always a sight)
- Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
On the Road:
- Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland (The away legs)
- New York Jets (A Week 1 trip to MetLife)
- New England Patriots (Week 3 in Foxborough)
- Los Angeles Chargers (A long flight to SoFi in Week 10)
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions (A tough late-December indoor game)
Starting the season on the road against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on September 7 is a statement. It’s a chance to see exactly what the Pittsburgh secondary is made of before the weather turns.
The Brutal December Stretch
If you want to know where the season will be won or lost, look at Weeks 13 through 18. This is where the NFL Steelers schedule 2025 gets truly mean.
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It starts with the Buffalo Bills at home on November 30. Then, the team travels to Baltimore for a rivalry game that usually leaves everyone bruised. Just eight days later, they’re back home for a Monday Night Football clash against the Miami Dolphins on December 15.
There is zero breathing room here.
After Miami, they head to Detroit to face a Lions team that has become one of the most physical units in the NFC. They finish the year with a road trip to Cleveland and a home finale against the Ravens on January 4. That’s three divisional games in the final five weeks. If the Steelers are fighting for a Wild Card spot, those last 15 days of the season are going to be high-stakes drama.
Primetime and Key Matchups
The NFL loves putting Pittsburgh in the spotlight. You’ve got the Monday night game against Miami, a Thursday night short-week trip to Cincinnati on October 16, and three Sunday night appearances. Basically, if you don't have a jersey ready by October, you're doing it wrong.
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The game against the Green Bay Packers on October 26 is another one circled on many calendars. It’s a classic matchup between two of the most storied franchises in league history. Plus, the Packers fans travel well, so Acrisure will be rocking.
Survival is the Name of the Game
Kinda feels like the NFL wants to see if the Steelers can handle the "toughness" tag they've worn for decades. The travel to Los Angeles and Dublin alone is enough to wear a team down. Combine that with the fact that the AFC North is arguably the best division in football, and you've got a recipe for a very stressful autumn in Pittsburgh.
The real challenge isn't the individual teams; it's the lack of "easy" weeks. There are no bottom-feeders on this list. Even the Patriots and Bears are expected to be much improved by the time 2025 rolls around.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning on heading to a game, here is the move:
- Book the Ireland Trip Early: If you're going to Dublin, hotels are already filling up near Croke Park. Don't wait for the summer.
- Watch the Injury Reports in November: With such a heavy December, the "Questionable" tags in Week 10 and 11 will tell you everything you need to know about the playoff push.
- Check Local Broadcasts: While many games are on CBS, the move to Netflix for Christmas games (if the Steelers get picked) and Amazon Prime for Thursdays means you’ll need a few passwords handy.
This schedule is a gauntlet, but that's exactly how the Steelers like it. They've always played up—or down—to their competition. In 2025, there’s no room to play down.