The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to start the 2025 season on a high note as the team won its first matchup on the road against the New York Jets. The score was 34-32 in Week 1 and the contest did not go at all how fans initially anticipated. People were worried about the offense heading into the matchup, but the unit looked extremely efficient throughout the entirety of the battle. However, the defense was very concerning. That side of the ball has some issues to clean up for the Steelers, especially after giving up 32 points to a questionable Jets offense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The expectations are always high in Pittsburgh when it comes to the Steelers, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is always coaching his team to win the Super Bowl. That is the standard in Pittsburgh, and other organizations might say the same thing, but it isn't always true. Tomlin always believes his team has a chance to compete with the best in the league and win the championship, and wide receiver DK Metcalf was asked about this during a recent interview on Yahoo! Sports.
"It's difficult not to go into a season with a lot of confidence, you know looking at your schedule and not thinking you are going to go 17-0," Metcalf explained.
17-0 is a bit of an unrealistic expectation. No team has had a perfect seasons since the Miami Dolphins back in 1972, however setting your sights that high is a good way to pursue success. Pittsburgh is 1-0 as of now after taking down the Jets, and the next team on the schedule is Metcalf's former squad, the Seattle Seahawks.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf looking on during a game while playing for the Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf and the other players in Pittsburgh seem to believe the team has what it takes to win the Super Bowl, which is exactly what the fan base wants to see. Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game in nearly a decade, and the fans in Pittsburgh would like to watch that cold streak end at the end of the 2025 season.
The Steelers already took care of business against the Jets, and the schedule lines up for them to get off to a pretty decent start to the 2025 season. On paper, Pittsburgh should be able to handle Seattle, assuming the defense can play slightly better than what it did against New York. In Week 3, the Steelers will travel north to take on the New England Patriots. The Patriots have a fun, young, and exciting team, but it is clear it is going to take some time before they start firing on all cylinders.
Pittsburgh's first big test will come in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, a game which will take place in Ireland. Minnesota has one of the best rosters in the NFL, and their young quarterback JJ McCarthy put together an impressive performance in a Week 1 comeback victory against the Chicago Bears.
Steelers' Road To The Playoffs Won't Be Easy
Pittsburgh does not have an easy schedule by any means. In AFC North play alone, the Steelers will have to play two of the most potent offenses in the NFL two times each in the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. Outside of the division, Pittsburgh will have to take on the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and the Los Angeles Chargers. None of those eight games will come easy, and it proves why Pittsburgh has to take advantage of the "easier" schedule to kick the season off.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh (left) talk during warmups before the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Steelers have a ton of talent, but both sides of the ball are going to have to play a little bit better if the franchise wants to be taken seriously as legitimate contenders.
What do you think about Metcalf's remarks and expectations? Let us know in the comments below!
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