Pittsburgh, PA – October 10, 2025 – In a development that’s sending shockwaves through the AFC North, the NFL has locked in the kickoff time for one of the league’s most heated rivalries: the Cleveland Browns taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. Set for Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the iconic Acrisure Stadium, this pivotal divisional battle will ignite at 1:00 PM EDT, broadcast live on CBS for a nationwide audience hungry for gridiron glory.

The announcement comes as both franchises navigate early-season turbulence, with the Steelers riding high off a gritty bye week and the Browns shaking off the jet lag from their high-stakes international showdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London just days prior. For Cleveland, this trip back across the pond to Pittsburgh isn’t just another game—it’s a gut-check moment in a grueling schedule that tests their mettle against a Steelers squad that’s historically feasted on their Ohio neighbors.

The Rivalry That Defines the AFC North: A History of Heartbreak and Heroics

Few matchups in the NFL carry the weight of Browns-Steelers. Dating back to their inaugural clash in 1950, the Steelers hold a commanding 82-64-1 all-time edge over Cleveland, a ledger stained with Pittsburgh’s signature blend of physicality and precision. Under legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who terrorized Browns defenses from 2004 to 2021, the Black and Gold built a dynasty of dominance, racking up 80 wins in regular-season play alone. The past three years have seen the series split evenly, with each team claiming victory on home turf—a razor-thin balance that’s left fans on both sides craving the upper hand.

This Week 6 edition arrives at a fever pitch. The Steelers, fresh from their Week 5 bye, enter with momentum from a hard-fought 24-21 upset over the Vikings in Dublin’s Croke Park earlier in the season. Coach Mike Tomlin’s squad has leaned on a suffocating defense anchored by newcomers like linebacker Patrick Queen, whose familiarity with divisional foes could prove invaluable. Quarterback questions linger, however, as the team integrates its post-Roethlisberger era, but Pittsburgh’s ground-and-pound philosophy—bolstered by a resurgent running game—remains a nightmare for opponents.

On the flip side, the Browns are a team in flux, grappling with the echoes of a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs despite quarterback Deshaun Watson’s flashes of brilliance. Their London victory over Minnesota provided a morale boost, but the transatlantic travel toll can’t be understated. Cleveland’s unofficial depth chart, released earlier this week, reveals a unit primed for battle: Watson under center, flanked by a receiving corps led by Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, while the defense—spearheaded by Myles Garrett’s relentless pass rush—aims to disrupt Pittsburgh’s rhythm from the opening whistle.

Injury concerns add another layer of intrigue. For the Steelers, wideout Calvin Austin III (shoulder) and edge rusher Alex Highsmith (ankle) are listed as questionable, potentially thinning an already battle-tested secondary that includes cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey. The Browns, meanwhile, boast relative health but must contend with the psychological scars of past Pittsburgh thrashings. “This isn’t just a game; it’s survival,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a pre-week presser. “Acrisure Stadium will be a cauldron, but we’ve got fire in our veins too.”

Game Day at Acrisure: What Fans Need to Know

Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers’ fortress since 2001 (formerly Heinz Field), transforms into a sea of black and gold on game days, accommodating up to 68,400 roaring fans. For this October showdown, gates open four hours prior to kickoff, with parking lots and garages unlocking five hours early—plenty of time for tailgaters to fire up the grills and belt out “Renegade” in anticipation. Security protocols remain stringent: Walk-through metal detectors at every entry point, clear bag policies enforced, and a firm reminder to lock vehicles and stash valuables out of sight.

Broadcast details are straightforward for the masses: Tune in at 1:00 PM EDT on CBS for the full spectacle, with local radio coverage on Pittsburgh’s WDVE 102.5 FM and WBGG 970 AM, or Cleveland’s ESPN 850, 92.3 THE FAN, and 98.5 WNCX. Streaming options abound via NFL+, Paramount+, and the NFL app for those unable to make the trek. Fantasy football managers, take note—this game’s high-stakes projections favor Pittsburgh’s defense (74% win probability per early models from Dimers.com), but Watson’s arm could flip the script for boom-or-bust upside.

Weather forecasts for Pittsburgh on October 12 call for crisp fall conditions: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures hovering in the mid-50s°F, light winds under 10 mph—ideal for a classic trench-warfare affair where every snap feels like a heavyweight bout.

Stakes Sky-High: Playoff Implications and Beyond

Week 6 isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s a divisional dagger that could reshape the AFC North standings. The Steelers, aiming to build on their 2024 wild-card berth, see this as a launchpad for a deep playoff run, especially with a Thursday Night Football tilt against the Bengals looming in Week 7. A win here would extend their home dominance and quiet doubters questioning their quarterback stability.

For the Browns, victory is redemption incarnate—a statement that Stefanski’s rebuild is firing on all cylinders amid whispers of Watson’s contract frustrations. Split the season series with Pittsburgh (they meet again in Week 17 at home), and Cleveland keeps pace in a division stacked with Baltimore’s firepower and Cincinnati’s explosiveness.

As the clock ticks toward 1:00 PM EDT on October 12, Acrisure Stadium braces for chaos. Will the Steelers’ steel curtain slam shut on Cleveland’s hopes, or will the Browns summon the ghosts of past upsets to steal the show? One thing’s certain: In this rivalry, emotions run hotter than a fourth-quarter two-minute drill, and every fan from the Steel City to the shores of Lake Erie will be glued to the action.

Stay tuned to NFL.com, Steelers.com, and ClevelandBrowns.com for live updates, inactives, and post-game analysis. Ternium Tailgate parties kick off at 9:00 AM in the North Shore lots—grab your tickets now before they’re gone. Who ya got? The battle lines are drawn, and the AFC North awaits its next chapter.