Sunday, February 23, 2025, 8:12PM |  39°
MENU
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Steelers fans show their support before a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1
MORE

2024 NFL schedule: Steelers open season in Atlanta, face Chiefs in Netflix game on Christmas Day

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

2024 NFL schedule: Steelers open season in Atlanta, face Chiefs in Netflix game on Christmas Day

Team plays 3 of first 4 games on the road and doesn't play an AFC North opponent until Nov. 17, the latest since the 1970 merger

The Steelers will open the regular season with a road reunion tour in Atlanta and Denver and play host to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a special mid-week game on Christmas Day as part of their 2024 schedule.

In addition, they will play the first of their four prime-time games against the reigning NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 6 at Acrisure Stadium.

The Steelers will open the season Sept. 8 against the Falcons, who were coached for the previous three seasons by new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The following week, they go to Denver to face Russell Wilson’s former team on Sept. 15.

Advertisement

It is the first time they have opened the season with back-to-back road games since 2001.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward runs through a gantlet of young fans as he arrives for the NFL football team's training camp workout in Latrobe, Pa., Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Brian Batko
Brian Batko's Steelers mailbag: What to make of a possible new deal for Cam Heyward?

After opening the home season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22, the Steelers go back on the road to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 29 — the first time since 2017 they have played three of their first four games on the road.

In an unprecedented quirk in the schedule, the Steelers do not play a division opponent until a Nov. 17 home game against the reigning AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens. That is the latest they have faced a division opponent for the first time since the 1970 merger.

The Christmas Day home game against the Chiefs is notable for several reasons, primarily because it will be played on a Wednesday and be carried on Netflix. It will be the first time the Steelers have played a reigning Super Bowl champion at home since they lost to the New England Patriots in Week 15 of the 2017 season — the infamous Jesse James no-catch game.

Advertisement

Because of the short week, the league moved their game in Baltimore against the division-champion Ravens to Saturday, Dec. 21. However, that doesn’t appear to be much of a bonus because games against the Ravens are the most physical the Steelers play all season. It will be the most grueling four-day stretch of the year.

The Steelers will play in Las Vegas for the second year in a row on Oct. 13 — a popular game for Steelers fans looking for a mini-vacation in a warm-weather city. Last year, at least 60% of the crowd in Allegiant Stadium was towel-waving Steelers fans.

Three of the team’s four prime-time appearances will be at Acrisure Stadium. In addition to the Week 5 game against the Cowboys, the Steelers will face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Oct. 20 and the New York Giants on Oct. 28 on Monday Night Football. The only road prime-time game will be Nov. 21 in Cleveland on Thursday night.

That will be part of a closing stretch in which the Steelers will play six of their final eight games against AFC North opponents. The Steelers were 5-1 against their division opponents in 2023.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed (45) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Adam Bittner
The best and worst of the Steelers' 2024 schedule: October will be a prime time

The opener in Atlanta will mark a return for Smith, who was the Falcons head coach for three seasons before being fired in January. The Falcons were 7-10 and never finished higher than third place in the NFC South in each of the three seasons under Smith.

Wilson’s return to Denver will receive more attention because of the manner in which the Broncos parted ways with the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback after just two seasons. The Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum in free agency because the Broncos are paying him $39 million in 2024 as part of the outlandish five-year, $242 million contract they gave the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback.

Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and @gerrydulac on X

Preseason

Aug. 9 – Houston, 7 p.m.

Aug. 17 –Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Aug. 23-25 – at Detroit, TBD

Regular season

Sept. 8 – at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Sept. 15 – at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

Sept. 22 – Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 – at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Oct. 6 – Dallas, 8:20 p.m. 

Oct. 13 – at Las Vegas, 4:05 p.m.

Oct. 20 – New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. 

Oct. 28 – New York Giants, 8:15 p.m.

Nov. 3 – Bye

Nov. 10 – at Washington, 1 p.m.

Nov. 17 – Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Nov. 21 – at Cleveland, 8:15 p.m.

Dec. 1 – at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Dec. 8 – Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Dec. 15 – at Philadelphia, 4:25 p.m.

Dec. 21 – at Baltimore, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 25 – Kansas City, 1 p.m. 

Jan. 5-6 – Cincinnati (TBD)

First Published: May 15, 2024, 7:38 p.m.
Updated: May 16, 2024, 1:28 p.m.

RELATED
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) chases Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Is Steelers' Christmas Day matchup vs. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs on Netflix really so bad?
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington speaks before a baseball game between the Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies in Pittsburgh, July 29, 2022.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise's mailbag: When is Ben Cherington officially going to be put on the hot seat?
Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson catches a ball during NCAA college football practice Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Carson, Calif. Michigan is scheduled to play against Alabama on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl, a semifinal in the College Football Playoff.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Can Roman Wilson be Steelers' No. 2 WR in Arthur Smith's offense?
Steelers second and first round picks Zach Frazier, 54, and Troy Fautanu, 76, warmup with teammates at Steelers Rookie Minicamp at the Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side Friday, May 10, 2024.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Troy Fautanu works out at RT? Beanie Bishop a slot CB option?
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) celebrates a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Is a Pat Freiermuth extension really worth it for Steelers? Should they have drafted a CB over OT?
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fauranu (76) and center Zach Frazier (54) warm up during the team's NFL rookie minicamp football practice in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 10, 2024.
Gerry Dulac
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 05.15.24
New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watches warmups at Steelers Rookie Minicamp at the Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side Friday, May 10, 2024.
Ray Fittipaldo
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 05.14.24
SHOW COMMENTS (158)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
1
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
A new report advises retirees in 2025 to aim for just 3.7% when withdrawing from savings -- down from 4%. Over a 30-year retirement, that could mean the difference between financial security or outliving your cash in your 80s or 90s, financial experts say.
2
business
How much can retirees safely withdraw from their nest eggs? Financial experts weigh in.
Pickers at Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms in Huntington Township, Adams County, harvest golden delicious apples on Sept. 10, 2024. President Donald Trump’s administration has frozen funding on several federal programs, including many that are under USDA and help farmers make their facilities more climate-friendly, protect against damage from wildlife, and help them employ more workers.
3
news
Pa. farmers feel funding pinch as federal freezes trigger labor and infrastructure instability
Prospect Rutger McGroarty is right on track according to Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza.
4
sports
From The Point: When are the kids getting called up? Jason Spezza details the Penguins’ ‘thought-out’ plan
Carole Lee Fritsche Timblin
5
news
Carole Lee Fritsche Timblin, passionate educator and gift shop owner, dies at 89
Pittsburgh Steelers fans show their support before a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story