December football is where the money is made. Unfortunately, metaphorically speaking, the Steelers haven’t been making money during the holidays.
Last year, the Steelers fell flat on their face down the stretch. We all remember the collapse with loss after loss beginning in Week 14, the second week of December. After climbing to 10-3, the Steelers fell to 10-7 and were promptly escorted from the NFL playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers fans are certainly hopeful a repeat performance doesn’t follow in 2025. At the announcement of the Steelers' 2025 schedule, it doesn’t seem likely that such a thing will happen, though the back end of the schedule is anything but a cake walk.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ final six weeks of 2025 offer no breathing room
Here’s how the Steelers' schedule stacks up in Weeks 13-18:
- Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills
- Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens
- Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
- Week 16: at Detroit Lions
- Week 17: at Cleveland Browns
- Week 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Of course, in 2024, the Steelers played both teams that went to the Super Bowl in those final four weeks. As well as two division rivals who were hot down the stretch. This December does look a bit more comfortable on paper.
However, while the games against elite competition are a touch more spread out, it’s not as though the Steelers aren’t looking at six consecutive, likely very competitive games to close out the season.
The Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens are all Super Bowl contenders coming into the season. If they’re at all healthy, they’ll pose a great challenge.
As for Miami and Cleveland, the Dolphins can be dangerous so long as they’re healthy and carrying some momentum, and while the Browns are still the Browns, it’s not wise to expect them to go down without a fight, especially if they have the chance to ruin Pittsburgh’s season.
Sure, Pittsburgh doesn’t face quite the same murderer’s row as it did last year, but the path to the 2025 postseason will be anything but easy for the Steelers.