The Pittsburgh Steelers went 10-7 last season, making the playoffs and avoiding a losing season for the 18th consecutive year. However, after extending their eight-year drought without a playoff win, the team made several big changes this offseason.
Pittsburgh brought in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and added wide receiver DK Metcalf, along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The moves signal an all-in approach for 2025, but the Steelers’ schedule could make it difficult to become one of the best teams in the NFL. Ahead of the 2025 NFL campaign, let’s dive into our game-by-game Steelers predictions.
Week 1 @ New York Jets: Win (1-0)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions
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It’s almost like the NFL knew Aaron Rodgers would be the Steelers’ quarterback when they were making the schedule. The New York Jets won’t view this as a revenge game, nor should they, but Rodgers will take the ‘slight’ of being released into the regular-season opener. Teammates feed off that energy, especially on defense, which will help Pittsburgh comfortably open the season with a win.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, New York Jets 17
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Week 2 vs Seattle Seahawks: Win (2-0)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions
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The Steelers’ schedule in 2025 feels like a revenge tour, at least to open the season. DK Metcalf gets an early matchup against his former team, facing a Seattle Seahawks secondary that will surely provide a great challenge. While Seattle’s defense can largely keep Pittsburgh in check, it will pale in comparison to what’s happening on the other side of the ball. The Steelers’ defense will terrorize Sam Darnold, paving the way to a 2-0 record.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 19, Seattle Seahawks 10
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Week 3 @ New England Patriots: Win (3-0)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions 2025
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Make it three consecutive wins for Pittsburgh, creating some national media buzz about whether or not this team is a Super Bowl contender. This will be another tough matchup for the Steelers’ offense, as the New England Patriots can put Christian Gonzalez on Metcalf and Carlton Davis can stay on the other side of the field. It’ll be a sluggish Sunday afternoon for Pittsburgh offensively once again. Fortunately, T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward create more than enough havoc in the Patriots’ backfield for the Steelers to pull out a win in a good defensive battle.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, New England Patriots 13
Related: NFL Defense Rankings 2025, see where the Steelers land
Week 4 vs Minnesota Vikings: Loss (3-1)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions
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A trip to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, goes badly for the Steelers, ending their undefeated start to the campaign. Starting with the defense, Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey can at least keep the Minnesota Vikings’ passing game contained. However, unlike in previous games this season, the Vikings’ offensive line is much better equipped to handle the Steelers’ defensive line. What bites Pittsburgh in this one is the ease with which Brian Flores will generate pressure and blitzes to make Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable. Pittsburgh’s defense will continue to play well, but the offense is becoming a bigger concern.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 23, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Week 6 vs Cleveland Browns: Win (4-1)
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Pittsburgh gets to rebound immediately, thanks to a home matchup against arguably the worst team in football. This is another draw versus an opponent that can get after the quarterback and perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett has made his desire to sack Rodgers clear. Thankfully for Steeler Nation, this will be a defense-driven team that should have little trouble neutralizing Cleveland’s offense.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Cleveland Browns 13
Week 7 @ Cincinnati Bengals: Loss (4-2)
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The good news is that the Steelers’ offense—specifically the vertical passing game—starts showing signs of life in this game. Rodgers hits Metcalf for a touchdown downfield, which helps make the underneath passing game more effective. It’s just not going to be enough, as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense does just enough late in the fourth quarter to secure the home victory.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 27
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Week 8 vs Green Bay Packers: Loss (4-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions, Steelers predictions 2025
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The good news is that the Steelers’ offense—specifically the vertical passing game—starts showing signs of life in this game. Rodgers hits Metcalf for a touchdown downfield, which helps make the underneath passing game more effective. It’s just not going to be enough, as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense does just enough late in the fourth quarter to secure the home victory.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 21
Week 9 vs Indianapolis Colts: Win (5-3)
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Coming off consecutive losses, Pittsburgh will get back on track versus the Indianapolis Colts. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and rookie Derrick Harmon combine for three sacks, with a devastating pass rush preventing Indianapolis from finding any rhythm through the air. Pat Freiermuth also comes through with a big game, scoring a pair of touchdowns that flip the game in the Steelers’ favor.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Indianapolis Colts 17
Week 10 @ Los Angeles Chargers: Loss (5-4)
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It’s another Sunday Night Football matchup on the Steelers’ schedule, featuring a road trip to California. The Los Angeles Chargers’ tackle tandem will prove crucial in slowing down Watt and Highsmith, but Pittsburgh’s interior pass rushers will find success. In a back-and-forth game, Justin Herbert simply outplays Rodgers, and the Chargers’ offense performs better on third downs.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 24
Week 11 vs Cincinnati Bengals: Win (6-4)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions, Steelers predictions 2025
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The Steelers avenge their early-season loss in Cincinnati. It all starts up front, with Pittsburgh doing a much better job of pressuring Joe Burrow early to prevent him from hitting big plays downfield. This game also delivers real signs of momentum from the Steelers’ offense, especially in the second half. In overtime, Rodgers leads a go-ahead touchdown drive, which is followed by the Steelers snagging a game-winning interception.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Cincinnati Bengals 28 (OT)
Week 12 @ Chicago Bears: Win (7-4)
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Just ahead of the toughest stretch on the Steelers’ schedule, this team gets back on track. Not only does the pass rush get into the head of quarterback Caleb Williams, making him see ghosts, but Rodgers finds holes in the middle of the Chicago Bears’ defense. The future Hall of Famer comes out of this one able to claim he still owns the Bears, and the Steelers improve to 7–4 in the process.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Chicago Bears 20
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Week 13 vs Buffalo Bills: Loss (7-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions, Steelers predictions 2025
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Returning home to Pittsburgh, things take a turn for the Steelers’ defense early. The Buffalo Bills’ offensive line does a great job keeping Josh Allen clean, allowing him to hit Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman for touchdowns. Sean McDermott also dials up the heat with the Bills’ defense, resulting in a loss for Rodgers and company in Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Buffalo Bills 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Week 14 @ Baltimore Ravens: Loss (7-6)
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The Baltimore Ravens simply proved to be the superior team last season, and the gap between the two rivals seems even wider now. It’s really the combination of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson that causes fits for the Steelers’ defense. Some years, Pittsburgh could overcome that. However, a thin receiving corps matches up very poorly against an outstanding Ravens secondary.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Week 15 vs Miami Dolphins: Loss (7-7)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions, Steelers predictions 2025
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The calls for Mike Tomlin to be fired will begin. A three-game losing streak puts the Steelers in a desperate spot at home, with the team hoping that Rodgers can deliver some magic just a few weeks after his 42nd birthday. It doesn’t happen. Miami’s pass-rushing trio of Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson causes enough havoc that it forces multiple turnovers, one resulting in a defensive touchdown.
Prediction: Miami Dolphins 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 21
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Week 16 @ Detroit Lions: Loss (7-8)
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It will be the ugliest performance of the Steelers’ season. The Detroit Lions put on an offensive clinic, both giving Jared Goff a clean pocket to operate from and running the football at will against the Steelers’ front. On the other side of the ball, Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil each record a sack, and a Kerby Joseph interception further sinks the dagger into the proverbial heart of Rodgers and the Steelers.
Prediction: Detroit Lions 34, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Week 17 @ Cleveland Browns: Win (8-8)
Pittsburgh Steelers schedule predictions, Steelers predictions 2025
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The Steelers are in desperation mode at this point, but the timing is on their side with a matchup in Cleveland. Naturally, a Browns’ offense now starting a rookie quarterback will be shell-shocked and unable to get anything going against the Steelers’ defense in frigid weather. The win keeps Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes and a shot at a non-losing season alive.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 10
Week 18 vs Baltimore Ravens: Loss (8-9)
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The streak is over. Baltimore comes to Pittsburgh, playing for both home-field advantage and a shot to end their rival’s two-decade-long stretch of consecutive years without a losing season. It will be the final game of Rodgers’ career, ending with a whimper, and Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh will be an open question heading into the offseason.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 13
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson