The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their full 2023 schedule, with nine home games and four prime time appearances, three of them at Acrisure Stadium. Here’s our breakdown of the entire schedule, each opponent, and storylines to look forward to in each of the team’s games this season.
FULL STEELERS 2023 SCHEDULE
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:00 p.m. vs. San Francisco 49ers, 30-7 L
Week 2: Monday, Sept. 18, 8:30 p.m. vs. Cleveland Browns, 26-22 W
Week 3: Sunday Sept. 24, 8:30 p.m. at Las Vegas Raiders, 23-18 W
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m. at Houston Texans, 30-6 L
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, 1:00 p.m. vs. Baltimore Ravens, 17-10 W
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, 4:05 p.m. at Los Angeles Rams, 24-17 W
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, 1:00 p.m. vs Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-10 L
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 2, 8:30 p.m. vs. Tennessee Titans, 20-16 W
Week 10: Sunday Nov. 12, 1:00 p.m. vs. Green Bay Packers, 23-19 W
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m. at Cleveland Browns, 13-10 L
Week 12: Sunday Nov. 26, 1:00 p.m. at Cincinnati Bengals, 16-10 W
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, 1:00 p.m. vs. Arizona Cardinals, 24-10 L
Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. vs. New England Patriots, 21-18 L
Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 16, 4:30 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts, 30-13 L
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 23, 4:30 p.m. vs Cincinnati Bengals, 24-11 W
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, 4:05 p.m. at Seattle Seahawks, 30-23 W
Week 18: Saturday, Jan. 6, 4:30 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens, 17-10 W
Week 1, San Francisco 49ers
After making a run to the NFC Championship last season, the 49ers are back and ready to continue their success. However, questions at the quarterback position may derail their promising season. Brock Purdy may or may not be healed from his season-ending injury by the time the calendar turns to September, and former starter Jimmy Garoppolo left via free agency.
While the future quarterback in San Francisco is still up in the air, Pittsburgh is secure with Kenny Pickett leading the offense. This is a major advantage for the Steelers, especially if the game is early in the season. If Purdy ends up starting for the 49ers, then this matchup will feature the two best quarterbacks from the 2022 Draft class.
The Steelers also get to play the 49ers at home. Recently, the Steelers are successful against San Francisco at Acrisure Stadium, going 2-0 in their two matchups against the 49ers at the stadium. Historically, the 49ers have a narrow all-time series lead, going 12-10 against the Steelers. The Steelers will open at home for the first time since 2014.
Week 2, Cleveland Browns, Monday Night Football
Early last season, the Jacoby Brissett and the Browns torched the Steelers, winning 29-17 in a statement win. That defeat was a major factor in Pickett taking the starting job over Trubisky, as he made his debut in the Steelers’ next game against the Jets. In the last game of the season, with Pickett as the signal caller, the Steelers overcame the Browns in dominant fashion, as they cruised past Cleveland 28-14.
With Deshawn Watson set to start Week 2 for the first time since 2021, the new-look Browns could cause the Steelers some trouble his season. But history is on the Steelers’ side against Watson, as he is 0-2 against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers own the all-time series record in the Turnpike War, going 80-62-1 over the Browns. Recently, the Steelers also dominate, going 3-1 in their last four matchup against the Browns. The Steelers are also a tough out at home on Monday Night Football, owning a 30-10-1 overall record. The Steelers will be at home for the first two games of their season for the first time since 1997.
Week 3, at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday Night Football
While the Steelers’ rivalries in the AFC North are fierce, they don’t compare to the history and intensity of the rivalry with the Raiders. Despite slowing down in recent years, the Steelers and Raider’s rivalry is electric, as the teams have played each other 31 times since 1970, including six playoff matchups.
The rivalry featured all-time great moments, such as the Immaculate Reception. Last season, just one day after the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and four days after the passing of Franco Harris, the Steelers and the Raiders met in a classic showdown. Pickett ultimately connected with George Pickens for a go-ahead touchdown to secure the 13-10 win.
Despite playing each other nearly every year, this is the first time the Steelers are traveling to the Raiders new home in Las Vegas.
Historically, the Raiders edge out the Steelers 17-14 in the all-time record. The Raiders also boast a 4-2 record in their last six meetings with the Steelers. The Steelers are 2-2 in the last four opening games in a new stadium.
Week 4, at Houston Texans
After a wild 2023 Draft, the revamped Texans are ready to show off their young talent against the Steelers in Houston. Rookie C.J. Stroud is the presumed starter, making for an interesting matchup against Pickett in his sophomore season.
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie Will Anderson will look to outplay veteran TJ Watt in a must-watch showdown.
The Steelers and Texans last met in 2020, with the Steelers walking away with a 28-21 victory.
Historically, the Steelers play well against the Texans, as they own the 5-2 series record. This includes a three-straight win streak coming into their 2023 matchup.
Week 5, Baltimore Ravens
With the competitive nature of the AFC North, the two divisional match-ups against the Ravens will likely have major playoff implications. The last time the Steelers and Ravens squared off ended in dramatic fashion, as Kenny Pickett led the Steelers to a 10-point comeback and a 16-13 win.
Lamar Jackson is set to make his return to the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, as he has not faced off against the Steelers since Dec. of 2021.
The Steelers led the all-time series record 33-25. The Steelers have also had success recently over the Ravens, going 6-4 over their last ten meetings. This includes a 6-1 stretch for the Steelers since 2020.
Week 6, BYE
It’s an early bye for the Steelers, but not egregiously. They had a Week 7 bye in 2021 and a Week 4 bye in 2020.
Week 7, at Los Angeles Rams
This game will feature a battle of the NFL’s two biggest defensive stars, as Pittsburgh-native Aaron Donald looks to lead his Ram’s over T.J. Watt and the Steelers.
After their historic 2021-2022 season, the Rams are in the midst of a rebuild. Matthew Stafford’s return will make things a little better for the Rams, but the team still has a ton of work to do.
Nonetheless, the Rams could still cause the Steelers trouble in their 2023 meeting in Los Angeles, as the Rams own the 15-10-2 series lead.
Week 8, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a must-watch team coming into 2023. Following their playoff victory over the Chargers in 2022, head coach Doug Peterson and the Jaguars will look to build on their successes in 2023.
The game is set to feature a duel between Pickett and Trevor Lawrence. Pickett and Lawrence have faced off in the past, including in the 2018 ACC Championship game. Pickett will hope for a better outcome in this matchup than in 2018, as Lawrence and Clemson trounced Pitt 42-10 to claim the conference title.
Historically, the Steelers are 13-12 against the Jaguars, including a 4-1 record in their last five regular season meetings with Jacksonville.
Week 9, Tennessee Titans, Thursday Night Football
The Steelers and Titans have emerged as unique rivals in recent years. The two teams share little in common, but their recent matchups usually end in fireworks.
In their most recent matchup in 2021, the Steelers narrowly edged the Titans 19-13. In 2020, the Steelers and Titans were both undefeated entering their late October matchup. With an undefeated season on the line, the Steelers halted a Titans comeback and took home the 27-24 win.
This season, the Steelers and Titans will clash in Pittsburgh.
Like the 49ers, the Titans have quarterback questions of their own. The team may opt to start Malik Willis, which would make for an interesting duel with Pickett — another 2022 Draft alumni.
Historically, the Steelers own the series lead over the Titans/Oilers 48-32.
Week 10, Green Bay Packers
The Steelers schedule will feature another recent Superbowl rematch, as the team plays the Green Bay Packers at home in a Superbowl 45 rematch.
The Packers cruised to a 31-25 Superbowl victory against the Steelers back in 2011. Since then, the Packers have had the Steelers’ number, going 2-1 against Pittsburgh since Superbowl 45.
Historically, the Packers are one of the few teams in the league that own the all-time series record over the Steelers, going 20-16 since their first matchup in 1933. Nonetheless, both franchises are among the NFL’s most historic and dominant franchises, making this game a special matchup.
With Aaron Rodgers departure to the Jets, this game gives the Steelers a first-hand look at the revamped Packers.
Jordan Love is the favorite to replace Rodgers, making this game an interesting duel between two young quarterbacks. Interestingly, despite coming into the league two years after Love, Pickett is actually several months older than his Packers counter-part.
Week 11, at Cleveland Browns
The second game against the Browns comes as the Steelers have had a rough go of things in the building formerly known as FirstEnergy Stadium lately. In addition to last year’s loss, the Steelers dropped a meaningless Week 17 game there in 2020 and lost the infamous Mason Rudolph-Myles Garrett game in 2019. In 2018, the teams tied.
That means they’ve won just one of the last five in the stadium by the lake, whatever they’re calling it these days.
Weel 12, at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals come into the 2023 campaign as the clear favorites to win the AFC North, according to FanDuel.
The outcome of this divisional series will likely come down the the Steelers’ pass defense. Last season, the Bengals featured one of the most prolific passing games in the NFL, as Joe Burrow threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns in 16 games. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ pass defense fell flat, allowing 29 touchdowns and seven yards per attempt.
Last season, the Mitch Trubisky-led Steelers stunned the Bengals in the season opener, defeating Cincinnati on the road 23-20 in an overtime thriller.
Week 13, Arizona Cardinals
The Steelers will face off against the Cardinals at home in a Superbowl 43 rematch.
Back in 2009, the Steelers narrowly defeated the Cardinals 27-23 to claim their sixth Lombardi Trophy. Since then, the Steelers-Cardinals matchups have been less dramatic, as the Steelers are 3-0 against the Cardinals since their Superbowl matchup.
This includes their last matchup in 2019, when the Steelers edged out Arizona 23-17 at Heinz Field.
Kyler Murray fell flat against the Steelers in his sole game against the Black and Gold in 2019. Murray threw three interceptions and was sacked five times in the 23-17 loss to the Devlin Hodges-led Steelers.
Historically, the Steelers are even more dominant over the Cardinals, as they own the 34-23-3 series lead.
Week 14, New England Patriots, Thursday Night Football
Following Tom Brady’s departure and Ben Roethlisberger’s’ retirement, the new era of the Steelers-Patriots rivalry is well underway. Last season, Mac Jones and the Patriots edged out the Steelers 17-14 in a heated affair.
This season, with Pickett securely at the helm of the Steelers’ offense, Pittsburgh will look for a better result against their old rivals.
With five postseason meeting between them, the Steelers and Patriots are among the NFL’s most successful franchises. The Steelers narrowly edge out the Patriots in their all-time record, going 15-14 against New England.
The Steelers will host multiple Thursday Night Football games for the first time in franchise history.
Week 15, at Indianapolis Colts, Date/Time TBD
The Steelers will likely face off against another rookie quarterback on the road against the Colts, as Indianapolis drafted Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in 2023.
Richardson is dynamic, as he turned heads at this year’s combine with his pure athleticism. But his lack of college success compared to other rookie signal callers leaves many unanswered questions coming into 2023.
The Steelers and Colts faced off last season in a Monday night thriller. The Steelers narrowly defeated the Colts 24-17, following a Benny Snell go-ahead touchdown.
Historically, the Steelers are remarkably dominate against the Colts, as they own the 27-6 series lead. The only time the Colts ever truly got an edge over the Steelers was during the Payton Manning-era, as they went 2-1 against Pittsburgh with No. 18 at the helm.
Week 16, Cincinnati Bengals
After being upset in Cincinnati in the opener last season, the Bengals ultimately got the better of the Steelers in their second meeting in 2022, taking down Pittsburgh 37-30 at Acrisure Stadium.
Historically, the Steelers dominate the Bengals, as they lead the all-time record 68-39. Recently, not much has changed, as the Steelers are 6-4 in their last ten meetings with Cincinnati. However, with Burrow at the helm, the Bengals are 3-2 against the Steelers.
This game starts a three-game stretch run to the season, all of which will come against 2022 playoff teams.
Week 17, at Seattle Seahawks
In another recent Superbowl rematch, the Steelers and Seahawks will face off in Seattle in 2023.
The Seahawks are coming off an impressive 2022 campaign, where they defied all odds and made the playoffs without star quarterback Russell Wilson. It remains unclear if Geno Smith and company can continue their success from last season, but Draft pickups Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will surely help.
The Steelers and Seahawks last played each other in 2021, with the Steelers picking up a 23-20 overtime win. Currently, the all-time series is tied 10-10.
Week 18, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD
In each of the last two seasons, the Steelers have gone into Baltimore in the final weeks of the regular season, needing a victory to extend their season.
Ben Roethlisberger navigated a 16-13 overtime victory at M&T Bank Stadium in 2021, while Pickett’s scrambling toss to Najee Harris winning it for the Steelers in 2022.
The Steelers have won three straight games in Baltimore overall.
FULL STEELERS 2023 SCHEDULE
Preseason Week 1: Friday, Aug. 11, TBD at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, KDKA-TV
Preseason Week 2: Saturday, Aug. 19, 6:30 vs. Buffalo Bills, KDKA-TV
Preseason Week 3: TBD at Atlanta Falcons, KDKA-TV
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:00 p,m. vs. San Francisco 49ers, FOX
Week 2: Monday, Sept. 18, 8:30 p.m. vs. Cleveland Browns, ESPN
Week 3: Sunday Sept. 24, 8:30 p.m. at Las Vegas Raiders, NBC
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m. at Houston Texans, CBS
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, 1:00 p.m. vs. Baltimore Ravens, CBS
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, 4:05 p.m. at Los Angeles Rams, FOX
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29, 1:00 p.m. vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, CBS
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 2, 8:30 p.m. vs. Tennessee Titans, Amazon Prime
Week 10: Sunday Nov. 12, 1:00 p.m. vs. Green Bay Packers, CBS
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m. at Cleveland Browns, CBS
Week 12: Sunday Nov. 26, 1:00 p.m. at Cincinnati Bengals, CBS
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, 1:00 p.m. vs. Arizona Cardinals, CBS
Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. vs. New England Patriots, Amazon Prime
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, TBD at Indianapolis Colts, TBD
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 23, 4:30 p.m. vs Cincinnati Bengals, NBC
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, 4:05 p.m. at Seattle Seahawks, FOX
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 7, TBD at Baltimore Ravens, TBD
STEELERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE