The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for what could define their 2025 season.
After a disappointing end to last year with five straight losses capped by a wild card shutout against Baltimore, Pittsburgh knows they need to start strong and maintain that momentum through what appears to be one of the most challenging schedules in recent memory.
The real test for the Steelers won’t come in the early weeks when they might grab wins against division rivals like Cincinnati or Cleveland at home.
Instead, analyst Warren Sharp believes their season will be determined by how they handle the backend of their schedule.
“Week seven onwards, toughest schedule in the NFL. Second toughest schedule of rest games in the NFL. And during this time, not only are they playing brutal opponents, they have brutal rest situations in some of these games. Specifically against the most difficult opponents that they’re going to deal with,” Sharp said while appearing on the Ross Tucker Podcast.
“Starting in week seven they have the toughest schedule for ANY team down the stretch.”@SharpFootball thinks the Steelers will have a very difficult second half of the season: pic.twitter.com/16NnCN6QQ6
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) May 28, 2025
The numbers paint a stark picture for Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes. After Week 10, the Steelers face just one team not projected to win at least eight games: the Cleveland Browns.
Every other opponent represents a legitimate threat to their postseason aspirations.
The schedule’s structure makes things even more difficult. Sharp highlighted how the Steelers will face teams like Buffalo and Baltimore in back to back weeks, entering both matchups with a three day rest disadvantage.
That type of scheduling creates a perfect storm where talented opponents meet tired legs.
Pittsburgh’s early Week 5 bye adds another wrinkle to their season.
While the rest comes at a convenient time after their international game against Minnesota in Dublin, it leaves them without a break when they’ll need it most during that brutal second half stretch.
The Steelers understand that building early momentum will be crucial, but sustaining it through what Sharp considers the toughest closing schedule in football presents their biggest challenge.
