When the Pittsburgh Steelers released their 2025 regular season schedule, there were a few things we noticed right away. The Week 5 bye means the Steelers must play 13 games without a break to close the season, and Mike Tomlin's team will have a brutal slate against challenging opponents late in the year.
Somehow, this team always finds itself in a position to make a playoff push in the final weeks of the season, but will that be the case this year?
While we don't know exactly how the 2025 season will unfold, we can get a good feel for which games the Steelers will be favored (though their uncertain quarterback situation throws a curveball in the whole operation. Here are my game-by-game predictions for the Steelers' 2025 season following the schedule release.
Predicting the outcome of every game on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 schedule
Week 1: Steelers @ Jets
The NFL could get the perfect soap opera if Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields both square off against their former teams in Week 1. While the New York Jets have a more stable quarterback situation at the moment, Mike Tomlin will be going up against rookie head coach Aaron Glenn, and Tomlin usually thrives in these situations. I'm predicting the Steelers claim the Week 1 opener on the road.
Prediction: Steelers win (1-0)
Week 2 Steelers vs. Seahawks
If this game were played in Seattle, it would have a bit of a different feel. But because the Seahawks will be traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast for a 1:00 p.m. ET game, the Steelers have the upper hand. Sam Darnold will be in only his second game with his new team, and DK Metcalf will be out for blood. Pittsburgh takes the home opener in this game-by-game prediction.
Prediction: Steelers win (2-0)
Week 3: Steelers @ Patriots
Drake Maye has all the traits in the world to be a special NFL quarterback, but I'm not buying that the Patriots will be competitors just yet, especially not this early in the season. Despite the Steelers playing on the road against a franchise that has given them fits in the past, I've got them winning their third straight to start the season.
Prediction: Steelers win (3-0)
Week 4: Steelers vs. Vikings (Ireland)
This is where things come to a head. Though the Steelers will technically be the home team in Week 4, this contest will take place at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Kevin O'Connell had Mike Tomlin's number the last time these teams played... and that was with Ben Roethlisberger under center. The Vikings have a new quarterback this year, but they've got a talented roster with excellent coaching.
Prediction: Steelers loss (3-1)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Steelers vs. Browns
Coming out of the bye week, the Steelers get time to prepare for a home game against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland's QB situation is nearly as messy as Pittsburgh's. Even after an impressive draft class, the Browns are still searching for their identity, and not knowing what they will be getting on offense, they will struggle to compete. With what's coming up next, the Steelers know how important it will be to take care of the lowliest of the AFC North teams at Acrisure Stadium.
Prediction: Steelers win (4-1)
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals (TNF)
Some NFL analysts have gone so far as to say that the Steelers could see an 0-6 start to begin the season. That isn't happening, but a mid-season slide is possible. Coming off a short week, Pittsburgh will face another AFC North Rival on Thursday Night Football. Being the road team for a Thursday night game against a divisional opponent has proven to be a tough stage for Tomlin. I have the Steelers falling in this contest.
Prediction: Steelers lose (4-2)
Week 8: Steelers vs. Packers (SNF)
Entering Week 8 and looking to avoid a mid-season skid, the Steelers will host the Packers under the lights of Sunday Night Football. This is a stage the Steelers have dominated in the past, but the Packers are a tough matchup for this team. If Jordan Love is cooking, Pittsburgh's defense will be in for a long night.
Prediction: Steelers lose (4-3)
Week 9: Steelers vs. Colts
The Steelers have struggled historically when facing Colts' head coach Shayne Steichen. This year, however, Pittsburgh gets a home contest, and the defense should be better equipped to defend against the RPO-heavy offense. This is the second straight home game for Mike Tomlin and company, and they won't mess up this time.
Prediction: Steelers win (5-3)
Week 10: Steelers @ Chargers (SNF)
All eyes will be on Mike Tomlin vs. Jim Harbaugh on Sunday Night Football, leaving the revenge game for Najee Harris as a bit of an afterthought. The Chargers were a tough team in 2024, but the Steelers defeated them early in the season with Justin Fields. Knowing that LA should be taking another leap forward this year (and the Steelers could take a step back), I have this game swinging the other way this time around.
Prediction: Steelers lose (5-4)
Week 11: Steelers vs. Bengals
The Steelers have been swept by the Cincinnati Bengals before, and a healthy Joe Burrow is their kryptonite. Still, this team will do everything in its power to avoid falling to .500 at this point in the season. At home in a revenge game, I have Pittsburgh doing just enough to keep Burrow and company in check for a bounce-back divisional win.
Prediction: Steelers win (6-4)
Week 12: Steelers @ Bears
I have a hard time betting against great coaches, and I think Ben Johnson could be next in line. What the young coach did in Detroit was nothing short of incredible. Still, I think the Bears will be a year or two away from being serious contenders in the NFC, and the Steelers will take advantage of a young roster in this contest against an uncommon opponent.
Prediction: Steelers win (7-4)
Week 13: Steelers vs. Bills
When the Steelers square off against an elite quarterback, it's hard to predict success. Josh Allen is the reigning MVP, and while his defense may still not be great, he's capable of carving up Pittsburgh through the air or on the ground on any given Sunday.
Prediction: Steelers lose (7-5)
Week 14: Steelers @ Ravens
There's nothing like going from playing one MVP quarterback to going on the road and facing the next. The Steelers were flat-out bullied by the Ravens in their Wild Card loss, and, with this game coming in Baltimore against what could be the best team in the AFC, it's hard to predict a successful outcome, even in an usually closely-contested AFC North game.
Prediction: Steelers lose (7-6)
Week 15: Steelers vs. Dolphins (MNF)
If the Steelers were to face the Dolphins early in the season, Miami would have an advantage. Head coach Mike McDaniel would run the wind right out of the sails of the Steelers. But hosting the warm-blooded Dolphins in the bitter Pittsburgh weather in December during a night game? Give me the Steelers in this contest.
Prediction: Steelers win (8-6)
Week 16: Steelers @ Lions
Even though the Lions lost both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs this offseason, Detroit still has one of the most talented and well-rounded rosters in the NFL, and I don't expect that to change. In Week 16, they could still be fighting for the top speed, and they won't let the Steelers come on their turf and foil their plans.
Prediction: Steelers lose (8-7)
Week 17: Steelers @ Browns
The Steelers are due for a dud game or two in just about every season, and this could be it. However, knowing that Pittsburgh may not be out of the race yet and assuming the Browns won't have much to play for at this point in the season, I have the Steelers claiming the win in this pivotal late-season matchup.
Prediction: Steelers win (9-7)
Week 18: Steelers vs. Ravens
This is where the journey ends. The Steelers often split with the Baltimore Ravens, but with such a shaky quarterback situation, Pittsburgh may not be in their league this year. Meanwhile, John Harbaugh and company could have playoff seeding on the line. I have Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ending their playoff dreams. Their inability to crack the playoffs will mark their ninth straight season without a postseason victory.