In 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers' AFC North schedule was an absolute gauntlet. All six divisional games came in the final eight weeks of the season. It was a big contributor to their five-game losing streak to end the 2024 campaign.
This year, the divisional games are still mostly pushed into the back half of the season, but they will start with what should be a prime blowout opportunity. Following their Week 5 bye, the Steelers welcome the Cleveland Browns to Acrisure Stadium.
Not only are the Browns still one of the worst teams in the NFL, but they have to travel back from their London game against Vikings to face a Steelers team with an extra week of rest. The NFL is essentially throwing Cleveland to the wolves with this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers have a prime opportunity to stick it to the hated Browns
The Steelers have plenty of reasons to want to absolutely crush the Browns in their Week 6 meeting. Not only did the Browns upset them on Thursday Night Football last season, they could potentially be facing former starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
A resounding defeat of Cleveland would also be a fantastic way to start what will be a 13-game grind with no breaks to finish the regular season. The Steelers ran out of gas to end last season, so stacking up wins early may be paramount to clinching another playoff berth.
For the Browns, it's hard not to feel slighted by the NFL with how this game was scheduled. The Steelers get to have their bye week after traveling to Dublin for their game against the Vikings, while Cleveland has to go right back to the East Coast to prepare for the Steelers.
In a year where almost every part of the roster is in question outside of their pass rush, it is a brutal way to start their 2025 season. The Browns were going to be bad no matter how tough their schedule was, but they are trending towards another high pick in 2026.
The Steelers better take care of business in Week 6, or their status as a playoff team will be in serious doubt.