The NFL schedule is complex, but if you know the reasoning behind it, it really is rather simple. First, let’s look at the equation to get to 16 of the 17 games on the regular season schedule:

Every year each division is paired up with both an AFC and NFC division, which represents 8 games on the schedule. Each team plays everyone in their division twice, add another 6 games. So, where do the other two games come from to round out the schedule? Depending on which place the team finishes, they play the other teams who finished with the same ranking in the other two divisions.

So, who will the Pittsburgh Steelers be playing in 2024? Well, in 2023 they were paired up with the AFC South and the NFC West, but in 2024 they are paired up with the AFC West and the NFC East.

Those 8 opponents will be:

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos

NFC East

Washington Commanders
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants

But what about the other two opponents? They will play the team who finished in the same place as the Steelers in their division for both the AFC South and AFC East. The Steelers will finish either 3rd in the AFC North which makes things a little more clear heading into the final week. In the AFC South, there is currently a 3-way tie for first place in the division. This means the Steelers could play any number of teams based on how things finish in Week 18.

When it comes to the 17th game on the schedule, in 2021 all AFC teams hosted an NFC team from a matched division, playing the team who ranked the same. So, in 2021 it was the AFC North paired with the NFC West, with the NFC West teams all traveling to the AFC North team. This was why the Los Angeles Rams traveled to play the Ravens in Baltimore, and why the Seattle Seahawks had a Sunday night game at Heinz Field that year.

In 2022, the AFC North was paired with the NFC East, and the AFC North was traveling. So, this was why the Steelers traveled to play the Philadelphia Eagles that season. In 2023, the AFC North was paired with the NFC North, and the AFC hosted the game. It meant an extra home game for the Steelers, and it resulted in the Green Bay Packers playing at Acrisure Stadium in 2023.

In 2024, the AFC travel to the NFC, and the AFC North is paired with the NFC South. This means the Steelers, depending on where they finish, will be traveling to play one of the teams in the NFC South, the worst division in football, next season. Even though it looks like the Steelers will be traveling to Atlanta, there is still a way the Falcons could win the NFC South if the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both lose this weekend.

As for a simpler breakdown of the schedule, here is who the Steelers will play both at home, and away, in 2024. The opponents will be finalized after Week 18, but the day and times for these games won’t be known until later this spring.

Home

Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
New York Jets

Away

Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles
AFC South TBD
NFC South TBD
Washington Commanders
Cincinnati Bengals

Again, the NFL schedule is a system, so the Steelers’ opponents for the foreseeable future are already known, including their location. However, there are those opponents which aren’t known until the season has wrapped up. Looking ahead, how the Steelers finish this 2023 season, along with how the other divisions shake out, will have a pretty big impact on their 2024 schedule.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.