Steelers Have Massive Advantage Against Opponents Early In 2025 To Get Off To Hot Start

The Pittsburgh Steelers got off to a steaming hot start in 2024, but ultimately crumbled in the final month of the regular season. The Steelers have had many seasons, especially recently, in which they have either started off the regular season too slow or were unable to finish on a strong note. Last season, it was the four-game losing streak to end the regular season heading into the playoffs. The year before, it was the three-game losing skid in December, dropping games to three of the worst teams in the NFL. In 2022, the franchise started 2-6, and in 2021 it started 1-3. Everyone also remembers what happened in 2020 after starting 11-0.

The 2025 NFL schedule was released recently, and Steelers fans are already gearing up for another season filled with highs and lows. The worst part about the Steelers' 2025 schedule is that their bye week comes as early as Week 5, after they play the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin. However, Pittsburgh could take advantage of their first four opponents. 

Last year, the black and gold only averaged 17 points scored per game through the first three weeks, but the defense held their opponents to less than nine points per game, which led them to a 3-0 start with Justin Fields as the quarterback. The Steelers have an opportunity to start off maybe 4-0 before their bye week, and it could be done in the same fashion. 

The Steelers start the year off with the New York Jets, led by Fields, then the Sam Darnold-led Seattle Seahawks, and then Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. The Vikings are also probably going to be led by JJ McCarthy, who will be entering his first healthy and active season as Minnesota's starting quarterback. Arthur Moats, a former defender for the Steelers, recently pointed this out in one of his videos on YouTube. 

"How many times have we said here in Pittsburgh, 'the defense is gonna get us up outta this thing,'" Moats said. "In any of these games, who are we saying that their defense is better than the Steelers' defense?"

Through their 3-0 start last season, the Steelers' defense forced a total of six turnovers. They were arguably the best defense in the NFL through the first month of football last year, and fans could see the same in 2025.

"When we talk about how the Steelers force teams to create turnovers, force teams to make mistakes, all of these first four teams, to me, are gonna be turning that football over, or traditionally have had players in those positions to turn the football over. And that's something we have consistently seen the Steelers have success at doing, especially during the regular season."

This is especially the case for the Steelers in Week 1 when they take on Fields and the Jets. Fields fumbled the ball a lot of times, not only during his time with the Steelers last year, but throughout his whole career. Pittsburgh's first four matchups all go up against passers on new teams or young quarterback with very little professional experience, like Maye and McCarthy.

The Steelers should not get ahead of themselves, although. While Fields may be highly suspect and easy to fluster, he's coming into the Week 1 matchup with a big chip on his shoulder and is being led by a new head coach. It wouldn't be surprising if the Steelers are able to force multiple turnovers on him, but he's surely going to play the best he can against his former team. 

Steelers' 2025 Season Will Be In Jeopardy By Week 5 Bye If Team Starts Slow 

Much like 2024, Pittsburgh's back end of the schedule is a lot more difficult than their first five games. Following their bye week, they have a home game against the Cleveland Browns. So while the first five games seem light, it's important that they don't drop multiple games in that stretch, because the other tougher opponents like the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions will all be coming up. 

What do you think of Moat's point about the defense being able to carry the load early in the season? What should the Steelers' record when it's time for their bye week? Let us know in the comments below.

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