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 three 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 2025? Well, in 2024 they were paired up with the AFC West and the NFC East, but in 2025 they are paired up with the AFC East and the NFC North.

Those 8 opponents will be:

AFC East

• New England Patriots
• Buffalo Bills
• New York Jets
• Miami Dolphins

NFC North

• Minnesota Vikings
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Chicago Bears

But what about the other three 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 West. The fact the Steelers could finish either 1st or 2nd in the AFC North makes this one of the games which isn’t known yet. In the AFC South, the Texans have already locked up the division, with the Indianapolis Colts holding down the second place spot. This means the Steelers could play either of those two teams, depending on where Pittsburgh finishes. Likewise, the Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers currently tied for second place. This game on the Steelers schedule won’t be known until the dust settles on these divisions, and will likely come down to the final week.

When it comes to the 17th game on the schedule, 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 was paired with the NFC South. This is why the Steelers opened the season on the road vs. the Atlanta Falcons.

This year, the AFC North is paired with the NFC West. This means the Steelers, depending on where they finish, will be hosting either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks, depending on how they finish, next season.

As for a simpler breakdown of the schedule, here is who the Steelers will play both at home, and away, in 2025. 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
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
AFC South TBD
NFC West TBD

Away

Baltimore Ravens
Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions
New England Patriots
New York Jets
AFC West TBD

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 2024 season, along with how the other divisions shake out, will have a pretty big impact on their 2025 schedule.

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